Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Garmin Dash Cam Not Recording or Missing Video

Follow the steps below if saved or unsaved footage cannot be found on your Garmin Dash Cam™ driving recorder, the Garmin Drive™ app, or the device's microSD card:

  1. Ensure the device is recording video
  2. Check Unsaved Videos settings
  3. Check Event Detection settings
  4. Check microSD card compatibility
  5. Ensure the device and Garmin Drive app are up to date
  6. Format or replace the microSD card

Ensure the Device is Recording Video

  • Make sure that the microSD card is inserted all the way into the Garmin Dash Cam device. If it is not, the Garmin Drive app and the device will display an error message. It is easiest to use a fingernail to press the microSD card into the slot at the bottom of the device until a click is heard.

  • NOTE: microSD memory cards are not included with some Garmin Dash Cam devices.   Device packaging and the Specs product pages on www.garmin.com will advise which ones include them.

  • The dash cam cannot record video if connected to a computer.
  • Some dash cams cannot record video when the Gallery is open on the dash cam. Exit the Gallery. It is not sufficient to switch to a different app; the device will remain in sharing mode unless the gallery or the app itself is closed.
  • Dash cams cannot record video if the device is exporting video with the Garmin Drive app.
  • The dash cam is recording if the LED in the lower-left corner is solid red, (or in the lower-right on the Garmin Dash Cam X110, Garmin Dash Cam X210, Garmin Dash Cam X310, Garmin Dash Cam Live).

        DC Live Recording LED 2


See Indication that a Garmin Dash Cam is Recording Video for more information.

Check Unsaved Videos Settings

Unsaved footage may be missing from the device's Gallery, the Garmin Drive app, or the microSD card when plugged into a computer to view the files. Setting the device to promptly delete unsaved footage when powered down can cause this. This setting extends the life of the microSD card but removes the footage of your drive.

To Check the Unsaved Videos Setting on the Dash Cam:

    1. On the dash cam, go to Settings
    2. Select Camera
    3. Select Unsaved Videos or Temporary Videos
    4. Select Delete When Full if the Unsaved Videos are currently set to Promptly Delete
    5. Press the  back button to save changes

The device will now continue to write unsaved footage to the microSD card until the card is filled. Older footage will then be overwritten. 

To see how much footage microSD cards can hold go to Garmin Support Center for your dash cam. Search Recording Modes, Video Resolutions, and File Sizes

Check Event Detection Settings

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

Garmin Dash Cam X110, Garmin Dash Cam X210, Garmin Dash Cam X310,

Garmin Dash Cam Live, Garmin Dash Cam 47, Garmin Dash Cam 57, Garmin Dash Cam 67W

  1. On the dash cam, go to Settings
  2. Select Camera

  3. Select Incident Detection

  4. If Incident Detection if Off, choose a sensitivity setting (High Medium or Low) press the  select button

  5. Press the  back button to save changes

The dash cam device will now automatically save video when it detects an event.

Garmin Dash Cam 46, Garmin Dash Cam 56, and Garmin Dash Cam 66W

  1. Ensure the device is turned on

  2. Press the up button (second from top) on the right edge of the device

  3. Press the  select button (first from bottom) to open the Settings page

  4. Select Camera

  5. Press the  down button. Event Detection will be highlighted

  6. If there is no checkmark next to Event Detection, press the  select button to open the Settings page

  7. Press the  back button (first from top) to save changes

The dash cam device will now automatically save video when it detects an event.

Check microSD card Compatibility

The Garmin Dash Cam device may not be able to record footage onto incompatible microSD 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 Garmin Express on a computer. See below for instructions.

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

Format or Replace the microSD card

The microSD card may need to be formatted to record more footage if it contains corrupted data. See Formatting a microSD card on a Garmin Dash Cam.

You may need to replace the 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 Compatibility for the Garmin Dash Cams.