When a dash cam stops recording, keeps restarting or shows an “SD card error”, the cause is usually the memory card or the power supply. Work through these in order, starting with the cheapest checks.
1. Format the Card in the Camera
Use the camera’s own format option (menu or app), not a computer. Formatting rebuilds the file structure the camera expects and clears errors from corrupted files. Copy any footage you need first, since formatting erases everything.
2. Check That the Card Is the Right Type
- Confirm your camera’s maximum card size in its manual. A card larger than the limit may not be recognized.
- Use a card designed for continuous recording (often called “high endurance”). Ordinary cards wear out under constant writing.
- Buy from an official brand store or trusted retailer. Counterfeit cards that fake their capacity are a known problem and will fail when the real space runs out.
3. Replace an Old Card
A dash cam writes to the card all the time, so the card eventually wears out. If the errors come back after formatting, or the card is more than a year or two old, replace it.
4. Check Loop Recording and Locked Files
With loop recording on, the camera overwrites the oldest video. But files locked by the impact sensor (G-sensor) are protected from overwriting, so a card filling up with locked files can stop recording. Lower the G-sensor sensitivity and delete locked files.
5. Look at the Power Supply
If the camera keeps restarting or turns off while driving, the power path is the suspect: a worn cable, a loose plug, or a weak 12V socket adapter. Try a different cable or adapter. If you hardwired it, check the connections and the ground, and read my hardwire kit guide.
6. Heat
Cameras on a sunlit windshield can overheat in summer and shut down. Cameras with a supercapacitor generally cope with heat better than those with a small battery, and parking in shade helps.
7. Update the Firmware
The maker’s site or app may have a firmware update that fixes recording bugs. Follow their instructions exactly.
8. Date and Time Keep Resetting
If the date resets each time the camera loses power, the internal clock battery or capacitor is likely no longer holding charge, which is more common in older or budget cameras. Resetting it each time works, but it may be a sign to replace the camera.
When to Replace the Camera
If a new card, a new cable and a format do not fix it, the camera itself may be failing. See my best budget dash cam and 4K dash cams from AliExpress guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dash cam say “SD card error”?
Usually a corrupted, worn-out, incompatible or fake-capacity card. Format it in the camera; if it returns, replace the card.
Why does my dash cam stop recording while driving?
Common causes are a full card of locked files, overheating, or a power interruption.
How often should I format the card?
Many makers recommend every month or two.
Related: how to install a dash cam and hide the wires.
I’m Avi, a parent, car owner and tech lover who researches AliExpress finds for real driving life – from dash cams and diagnostics tools to the gear that survives a long road trip with kids in the back seat. I spend hours digging through specs, buyer reviews, and automotive forums (and tracking which travel toys parents report actually stay quiet past mile 50) so you don’t have to – and I only recommend what holds up under real buyer scrutiny.