Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 or Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 Not Recording or Missing Video

1. Follow the steps below if saved or unsaved footage cannot be found on your Garmin Dash Cam™ Mini 3, or Garmin Dash Cam™ Mini 2, the Garmin Drive™ app, or the device's memory card:
2. Ensure the device is recording video
3. Check Unsaved Video settings
4. Check Incident Detection settings
5. Check memory card compatibility
6. Ensure the device and Garmin Drive app are up to date
7. Format or replace the memory card

Ensure the Device is Recording Video

• Make sure that the memory card is inserted all the way into the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 or Dash Cam Mini 2. If it is not, the Garmin Drive app will show an error message, and the LEDs on the dash cam will flash with yellow lights. It is easiest to use a fingernail to press the memory card into the slot at the side of the device until a click is heard.
• The Garmin dash cam device cannot record video while it is connected to a computer or when the dash cam is exporting video from the gallery in the Drive app.
  • To resume recording, wait for the export to complete or exit the gallery in the Garmin Drive app. It is not sufficient to switch to a different app. The device will remain exporting until it finishes or when the app is closed.
  • NOTE: Exporting will also disable recording on any dash cam in the Garmin Drive app that is a part of the multi-camera network.    Using Dash Cam Auto Sync to Connect Multiple Garmin Dash Cams with the Garmin Drive App
• Ensure the Garmin dash cam is plugged in and the LED at the bottom of the device glows a solid red.
  • See Understanding the LED Colors on the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 if the LED is blinking and/or shows different colors.
  • See Understanding the LED Colors on the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 if the LED is blinking and/or shows different colors.
    

See Indication that a Garmin Dash Cam is Recording Video for more information about how the device records video.

Check Unsaved Video Settings

Unsaved video may be missing from the the Garmin Drive app or the memory card when plugged into a computer to view the files. 

Setting the device to promptly delete unsaved video when powered off can cause this. This setting extends the life of the memory card but removes the temporary/unsaved video.

To Check the Unsaved Videos Setting:

1. 1. With your dash cam connected, open the Garmin Drive app.
   2. Select the settings gear in the upper right.
   3. Select the vehicle then the camera name.
   4. Select Unsaved Videos.
   5. Select Delete When Full.

The device will now continue to write unsaved video to the memory card until the card is filled. Older video will then be overwritten. See the link below to see how much video memory cards can hold:

• SD Card Recording Modes, Video Resolutions, and File Sizes on a Garmin Dash Cam

Check Incident Detection Settings

If the dash cam is not saving video of events (e.g. collisions or sudden stops), Incident Detection may be disabled.

1. 1. With your dash cam connected, open the Garmin Drive app.
   2. Select the settings gear in the upper right.
   3. Select the camera name.
   4. Select Incident Detection.
   5. Select a Sensitivity level (Low, Medium, or High)

The dash dam will now automatically save video when it detects an incident.

Check Memory Card Compatibility

The Garmin dash cam may not be able to record footage on incompatible memory cards. See SD Memory Card Compatibility for the Garmin Dash Cams.

Ensure the Device and Garmin Drive App are Up to Date

The software of your Garmin dash cam device can be updated using either the Garmin Drive app on a smartphone or the Garmin Express™ software on a computer. See below for instructions.

• • Updating a Garmin Dash Cam with the Garmin Drive App.
  • Updating Garmin Dash Cam Software using Garmin Express.

See Garmin Drive App Software Versions and Update Process for steps to update the Garmin Drive app.

Format or Replace the Memory Card

The memory card may need to be formatted if it contains corrupted data. See Formatting an SD card on a Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 or Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 .

You may need to replace the memory card if the dash cam still shows no videos recorded after formatting the card or if the card cannot be formatted. See SD Memory Card Sizes for Automotive Devices for information about recommended card sizes.