What should I do if I experience issues when watching playback videos from an SD card?

Tapo C210P2 , Tapo D230S1 , TC41 , TC40 , Tapo C310 , Tapo C530WS , Tapo D130 , KC411S , KC200 , Tapo C201 , Tapo C840 , Tapo DL130 , Tapo C202 , Tapo C720 , Tapo C428 KIT , Tapo C200 , KC300S3 , KC300S2 , TC82 KIT , TC40GW , Tapo C410 , TC65 , Tapo D225 , Tapo C320WS , Tapo D100 , TC60 , Tapo C402 KIT , TCB82 , Tapo D230 , KC310S2 , TC68 , KC310S3 , KD110 , KC300 , Tapo C200P2 , Tapo C425 , Tapo C525WB , Tapo D235 , TC55 , TC53 , Tapo C420 , Tapo C510W , Tapo C402KIT , TCB72 , KC310 , KC410S , Tapo C460 KIT , Tapo C620 KIT , Tapo C325WB , TC85 , Tapo C230 , Tapo C110 , Tapo C111 , TC82 , KC105P2 , Tapo C310P2 , KC120 , Tapo Smart Video Door Lock , Tapo C51A , KC125 , KC400 , KC401 , Tapo C420S1 , Tapo C420S2 , Tapo C403 , Tapo C420S4 , Tapo C400 , Tapo C125 , Tapo C425 + Tapo A200 , Tapo C402 , TC74 , Tapo C120 , TC73 , TC72 , Tapo C121 , TC71 , TC70 , Tapo C110P4 , Tapo C110P2 , Tapo C52A , KC411 , Tapo C212 , Tapo C425 + A200 , KC420WS , Tapo C420S1 + Tapo A200 , Tapo D660 , TC72P2 , Tapo C210 , Tapo C520WS , Tapo C211 , Tapo C100P4 , Tapo C501GW , KC100 , KD110C , Tapo C410 KIT , KD110D , KC105 , Tapo C21A , Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock , Tapo C400S1 , Tapo C400S2 , Tapo C225 , Tapo C500 , TC85 KIT , Tapo C220 , Tapo C100 , Tapo C860 , Tapo C101 , Tapo C222 , Smart Video Door Lock , KC110 , KC115 , Tapo C425 KIT
Recent updates may have expanded access to feature(s) discussed in this FAQ. Visit your product's support page, select the correct hardware version for your device, and check either the Datasheet or the firmware section for the latest improvements added to your product. Please note that product availability varies by region, and certain models may not be available in your region.
TP-Link camera supports two recording storage methods, local storage and cloud storage. Local storage refers to video stored in a microSD card. This article specifically introduces the potential issues that may arise when watching playback videos stored in the microSD card and how to troubleshoot them accordingly.
Here we take Tapo C200 as an example.
Situation 1: No recording
1. Please format the mircoSD card before starting using it. Ensure the SD card status is good.
2. Ensure the microSD Card Recording function is enabled.
Tapo APP->tap in the left top> Camera Settings-> Storage & Recording ->microSD Card Recording
3. Check if you have set the right Recording Schedule. If you choose Detection Recording, ensure the Detection settings are correct.
Reference: How to use the Detection function of the Tapo&Kasa cameras
Situation 2: Unable to watch playback video/Show network is unstable when viewing
1. Ensure APP is up-to-date in the APP store or Google Play.
2. Update the firmware of the camera.
3. Check if you can watch live stream normally. If no, please check network connection on this camera.
Reference: How to check and improve the network connection stability of Tapo&Kasa smart devices
4. Check if there are any other users/clients watching the playback simultaneously, as the playback can only be viewed on one client at the same time.
5. If no other users/clients are simultaneously viewing the playback, it is recommended to save the required video on your computer first and reformat the SD card to see if the issue still exists.
Situation 3: Playback video is not continuous and has some missing parts
1. Check if the Recording Schedule is continuous.
Tapo APP->tap in the left top> Camera Settings-> Storage&Recording ->Record Schedule
2. Check if there is any reboot schedule enabled.
Tapo APP->tap in the left top> Camera Settings-> reboot Camera
3. Check if the camera is associated with any smart action or Away Mode settings.
Reference: How to edit Home and Away Mode for Tapo&Kasa Cameras on the Tapo app
4. Check if there is a power outage occur when the issue occurred.
5. If the read/write speed of the SD card is not up to standard, it may result in missing recordings.
SD card recommendation: What Type of MicroSD Card does Tapo/Kasa Camera Support?
Situation 4: Unable to download playback videos
1. Make sure your phone and camera are connected to the same Wi-Fi.
2. Ensure VPN is disabled on the phone and router.
3. Turn off Advanced settings on the router like Access Control, AP Isolation etc.
4. Testing with a different phone.
5. Try separating 2.4G and 5G WiFi on the router, then connect both mobile phone and camera to same 2.4G WiFi and check again.
Situation 5: Incorrect timestamp on playback video
1. Make sure the camera is connected to the Internet and can be controlled using cellular or other Wi-Fi networks.
2. Set camera on correct time zone.
Tapo app ->tap on live view page-> Device Info-> Time zone
3. Turn off NVR or third-party software and reboot the camera. (Some onvif software may affect the time of camera)
4. Reboot camera or reinstall APP.
If the issue is still the same, contact TP-Link technical support and provide the information below for our support to look into further:
1. MAC address of the Camera;
2. Screenshot about the error message;
3. Whether you have tried all suggestions listed as above or not. If yes, what are they?
4. Enable Diagnose mode, get the log of the camera, and share the log file.
Is this faq useful?
Your feedback helps improve this site.
What’s your concern with this article?
- Dissatisfied with product
- Too Complicated
- Confusing Title
- Does not apply to me
- Too Vague
- Other
Thank you
We appreciate your feedback.
Click here to contact TP-Link technical support.

TP-Link Community
Still need help? Search for answers, ask questions, and get help from TP-Link experts and other users around the world.
This website uses cookies to improve website navigation, analyze online activities and have the best possible user experience on our website. You can object to the use of cookies at any time. You can find more information in our privacy policy . Don’t show again
This website uses cookies to improve website navigation, analyze online activities and have the best possible user experience on our website. You can object to the use of cookies at any time. You can find more information in our privacy policy . Don’t show again
Basic Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be deactivated in your systems.
TP-Link
accepted_local_switcher, tp_privacy_base, tp_privacy_marketing, tp_smb-select-product_scence, tp_smb-select-product_scenceSimple, tp_smb-select-product_userChoice, tp_smb-select-product_userChoiceSimple, tp_smb-select-product_userInfo, tp_smb-select-product_userInfoSimple, tp_top-banner, tp_popup-bottom, tp_popup-center, tp_popup-right-middle, tp_popup-right-bottom, tp_productCategoryType
Livechat
__livechat, __lc2_cid, __lc2_cst, __lc_cid, __lc_cst, CASID
Youtube
id, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, LOGIN_INFO, SIDCC, SAPISID, APISID, SSID, SID, YSC, __Secure-1PSID, __Secure-1PAPISID, __Secure-1PSIDCC, __Secure-3PSID, __Secure-3PAPISID, __Secure-3PSIDCC, 1P_JAR, AEC, NID, OTZ
Analysis and Marketing Cookies
Analysis cookies enable us to analyze your activities on our website in order to improve and adapt the functionality of our website.
The marketing cookies can be set through our website by our advertising partners in order to create a profile of your interests and to show you relevant advertisements on other websites.
Google Analytics & Google Tag Manager
_gid, _ga_<container-id>, _ga, _gat_gtag_<container-id>
Google Ads & DoubleClick
test_cookie, _gcl_au
Meta Pixel
_fbp
Crazy Egg
cebsp_, _ce.s, _ce.clock_data, _ce.clock_event, cebs
lidc, AnalyticsSyncHistory, UserMatchHistory, bcookie, li_sugr, ln_or