Tesla Dashcam Not Working [Causes & Solution]

ALEX HARPER

Among drivers, Tesla Dash Cams are very popular. A number of users have reported problems with the Tesla Dashcam. Users are very frustrated by this issue. In this case, there is no need to worry. The article below explains how to resolve the Tesla Dashcam unavailable issue if you have a Model Y or X Tesla car.

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What is Tesla Dashcam:?

Two things Tesla has done over the past decade are pioneering and awesome. As soon as a human moves nearby, the sensor records a 10-minute clip. Using four cameras on the Tesla Dashcam, front, left and right repeaters, and rear, it records video while the car is in motion.

The dashcam on Tesla isn’t working? The reason is as follows:

The following reasons explain why Tesla Dash Cams do not work:

1. No recording on the dashcam

This is the most common issue with Dashcams when USB drives are inserted. When recording important events while driving, dashcams can also cause problems.

2. Notifications of errors

On the infotainment screen, dashcam warnings may appear incorrectly. A video recording or logging failure is usually indicated by the alert regardless of how it looks.

Dashcam messages may appear incorrectly on the information tainment screens. Alerts like these come with either an inaccessible video or a recording-unavailable video.

3. Video not working

Video may be captured by the Dashcam, but you may be unable to view the files once they have been captured. The recorded video may therefore be unavailable to you in the future.

4. Doesn’t work after updating

A USB drive that is incompatible with the Tesla Dashcam won’t work, even if you replace it.

5. Icon of dash cam doesn’t appear

Dashcam icons are sometimes missing from the screen. Icons disappearing from the bottom control bar is a frequent problem. The issue can be resolved by selecting the Dashcam option in the Controls option.

Tesla Dashcam Unavailable: How to Fix It?

Tesla Dashcam not working? Here are a few solutions. Here are a few to consider

Tesla Dashcam Unavailable

1. Ensure your USB drive is compatible

Dashcam is not supported by all USB drives. It is recommended that you use a USB 3.0 drive with at least 32 GB of storage and a minimum writing speed of 4 MB/s. Some Dashcams may support USB 2.0 drives because of their high data rates, but others may not. To see if your USB drive is compatible with your computer, you can check its speed and format.

There may still be hope for resolving the issue if you try another USB drive. It is necessary for Tesla cars to be compatible with USB drives. Video files should be stored in FAT32.

2. Create space on the USB drive by formatting it

Taking certain files off the Tesla Dashcam’s memory drive may stop it working. Once the videos on the USB drive have reached their expiration date, they are automatically removed. Unfortunately, sometimes this process doesn’t finish or takes too long. It might stop recording or saving files in this case.

3. Verify the formatting settings

Dashcam USB devices need to be formatted in a certain way in order to work with Tesla software. File systems must be either exFAT (Mac) or FAT32 (Windows) and a folder named TeslaCam must reside at the root level. Incorrectly formatted USB devices might prevent the Dashcam from recognizing them. The Tesla’s built-in format feature or a computer are both options for formatting your USB drive.

4. Make sure Tesla’s system is restarted

Occasionally, the Tesla Dashcam might have glitches. A restart of your computer will restore your program’s default state by clearing the cache and memory. The screen will go black after you hold down both steering wheel buttons for a few seconds and the system will restart when you release both. Fingers on buttons or pedals should not be used for this.

5 Recent Tesla software updates

For its cars to operate and perform better, Tesla frequently upgrades its software. Dashcam features might be fixed by some of these upgrades. Software updates require a Wi-Fi connection on your vehicle. You can check for updates in Controls > Software.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tesla Dashcam?

The Tesla Dashcam is a feature that allows Tesla vehicles to record video footage using multiple cameras while driving. It works in conjunction with Sentry Mode, which records clips when the vehicle detects motion near it. This system is available in Tesla models manufactured after August 2017, equipped with Autopilot hardware version 2.5 or later.

Why is my Tesla Dashcam not recording?

There are several common reasons why the Tesla Dashcam may not be recording:
USB Drive Issues: The USB drive might be incompatible, corrupted, or full. Ensure you are using a USB 3.0 drive with at least 32 GB capacity and formatted in FAT32.
Error Notifications: The infotainment screen may display warnings indicating issues with accessing or recording video.
Missing Dashcam Icon: If the Dashcam icon is not visible on the screen, it could indicate a problem with the system settings.

How can I troubleshoot my Tesla Dashcam?

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:
Check USB Drive Compatibility: Ensure your USB drive meets Tesla’s specifications (USB 3.0, FAT32 format) and is properly inserted into the front USB ports.
Format the USB Drive: If your drive is full or has corrupted files, formatting it may resolve the issue. This can be done through the vehicle’s settings menu.
Reboot the Tesla System: A simple reboot of your vehicle’s system can clear temporary glitches. Hold down both steering wheel buttons until the screen goes black and restarts.
Replace the USB Drive: If problems persist, consider replacing the factory-supplied USB drive with a more reliable option, such as a portable SSD, which tends to have better performance and longevity.

What should I do if I receive a “Dashcam Unavailable” notification?

If you see a “Dashcam Unavailable” notification, try these steps:
Ensure the USB drive is correctly inserted and functional.
Try unplugging and re-plugging the USB drive after waiting for a few seconds.
Format the USB drive if it appears to be full or corrupted.

How often should I clear my Dashcam footage?

Regularly clearing your Dashcam footage is advisable to prevent storage issues. Saved clips do not automatically delete, so if your drive becomes full due to too many saved clips or Sentry Mode recordings, you will need to manually delete some files or format the drive.

Conclusion

You might find it frustrating when you try to record with your Tesla Dashcam and it doesn’t work. Depending on the type of issue, you can try one of the previously mentioned options. If none of the fixes worked, it is best to contact Tesla Service Center or to use the SOS button.

Some of these problems can be solved with something as simple as a USB drive. There are some things you can do in order to resolve these problems, such as formatting the drive, checking its capacity, restarting your computer, or upgrading your software. It is possible that you might have to contact Tesla for additional assistance in the event that these fixes do not resolve the problem.

About Alex Harper

Alex Harper is a seasoned automotive expert with over a decade of experience in the industry. Passionate about cars and committed to sharing his knowledge, Alex combines technical expertise with a love for writing to create comprehensive and accessible car guides.

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