As North America’s #1 Largest Authorized Dash Cam Supplier, we are contacted frequently from our customers (and those of other businesses as well) with common issues that they are experiencing on their dash cams. Often times these issues are due to very minor user errors which can be easily addressed, here are some of the most common problems and solutions!
Your dash cam is letting you know there is an issue with the memory card that may be causing write errors, 99% of the time this just means that your memory card needs to be formatted. We recommend formatting your card at least once a month to ensure optimal performance!
On WiFi equipped Blackvue dashcams such as the Blackvue DR650GW-2CH you can do this by simply holding down the WiFi button for 10 seconds and releasing. Other dashcams might also have a quick and easy way built into the device to complete this procedure. If not, you can format the memory card on your PC or Mac computer as well if you have a card reader (either built-in or external). To format on a PC simply right click the memory card in my computer and click 'format' and follow the steps. To format on a Mac computer you need to open up the 'Disk Utility' application and follow the erase procedure there.
If you have a 64GB or higher micro SD card you must format it on the device to get rid of the "Check your memory card" message
To use WiFi on a Blackvue device, you have to first give the dash cams a few seconds to start up. Afterwards you can press the WiFi button and wait for the prompt "WiFi On" which is accompanied with the WiFi light turning on. The WiFi is only compatible with Android and iOS smartphones so it won't work with your PC laptop as there is no dedicated app for it. Also the WiFi is only meant to work within close range of the vehicle and doesn't have the same range as a typical home WiFi router.
Here is a video showing how to use the Blackvue Smartphone App!
The most common cause for this issue is a broken Coaxial cable pin which results from plugging/unplugging the cable at an angle. The pin and wire is very thin so that it is easy to tuck into the headliner of the vehicle but it's not the most durable and must be handled with care. Broken coaxial pins are not covered under warranty as they are physical damage and the result of user error. For that reason we don't recommend frequently plugging and unplugging 2 channel dashcams as it increases the chances for damage.
If the pins are not damaged and the light of the rear camera is on, this is likely an issue that would be covered under the 1 year manufacturer's warranty, as the power is getting to the rear channel. The other two troubleshooting tips would be to format the memory card and check for any firmware updates. Also double check that the front is recording as if there is an issue with the front unit that would likely cause an issue with the rear as well.
This is actually a very frequent issue and there are numerous areas to check. If you are using a Power Magic Pro hardwiring kit, make sure the green light is on. Double check the fuses you are using with a circuit tester. These can be had for very little money at your local hardware store and are essential in differentiating between constant power fuses and accessory fuses. If you've verified that the yellow wire is going to a constant fuse and the red wire is going to an accessory fuse, you have to then check the grounding cable to see if it's secure and connected to an unpainted bolt. An incorrect choice of ground is the most common issue with hardwiring kits not working but thankfully it isn't too hard to fix.
One less obvious thing to check is whether the car's battery is charged. If you've been working on your hardwire install for over an hour with your doors open and interior lights on, the battery voltage may have dropped to a point where the hardwiring kit kicks in and does not allow the dash cam to drain more of your battery to protect it. To fix this, drive around for a bit and let the battery charge up and check again!
If the issue still persists after checking your hardwiring kit we have to then move up the line and check the power cable. To do so, instead of plugging the cigarette jack into the hardwiring kit, plug it into a standard outlet instead. If the dash cam turns on this way then we know the issue is not with the power cable or the dash cam. If it still doesn't turn on you may have a defective power cable which is covered under warranty or the dash cam itself may be defective.
Adhesive mounts for dash cams are designed to work well regardless of temperature as long as they are properly installed. To ensure the best performance from the adhesive clean the area you plan to attach the dash cam thoroughly using a microfiber towel. An extra step you can take is to heat up the adhesive slightly using a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive, make sure the dash cam isn't clipped into the mount if you do this!
To set the time on a Blackvue dash cam you must first format and complete erase the files on the memory card, plug it into the dash cam and power it on so that it can initialize, and then set the time either through the desktop viewer or the WiFi app. Make sure to choose quit after saving if you're using the smartphone app.
In this case the small battery inside the dash cam has gotten too weak to keep time. This does not actually affect the video performance but on a non-hardwired dash cam can cause some issues in terms of displaying the accurate date/time. To fix this the battery must be replaced by purchasing a new one here. If the dash cam is under a year old the unit can be replaced under warranty.
If your daytime video appears dark the most likely cause for this is if your dashcam is pointed too high up (i.e., at the sky). Dashcams like many video recorders adjust exposure automatically so if they're pointed at the bright sky they will darken the video to compensate. By pointing lower the dashcam will evaluate the frame as darker so will brighten the overall video to compensate.
Ideally you want to aim the dashcam low enough to see part of your hood/fender but high enough to see what's going on in the road ahead. The lens is typically sharpest right at the center of the frame so you want that to be pointed to the center of the vehicle ahead.
To address these issues where either the GPS isn't locking on or the WiFi isn't allowing your smartphone to connect, try a power cycle on your dash cam. To do a power cycle, unplug the power cable (no need to unplug the coaxial cable), and let the device power down completely. Wait 10 seconds and plug the power back in.
Dashcams like many electronic products come with a lot of protective plastic so they don't get damaged during delivery. However, many customers don't go over the product thoroughly and remove all of the plastic film. Often times the lens will be covered to protect it from scratches but this has to be removed to achieve sharp video.
Blackvue dashcams come wrapped in plastic and while it will still power on with the protector on, this protector covers up all the cooling vents on the dashcam risking serious and permanent damage.
