Blink Local Storage Not Working: How To Fix [2023] - BlinqBlinq (2023)

Since the introduction of the Blink Sync Module 2, I've been keen on recording clips directly to a USB drive instead of saving them to the Cloud. That was until the local storage went all haywire on me.

Blink Cameras, apart from being an affordable alternative to full-on Monitoring systems, pack quite the punch with their nifty little features and ease of use.

Being able to store clips directly in Local Storage is a godsend feature if you don't prefer Cloud storage. I, too, enjoyed this feature until it stopped working altogether.

If Blink local storage is not working, verify that the USB drive is ExFAT formatted and there is sufficient storage space left in the drive. Local storage is only available on select Blink models - Video Doorbell, Indoor (gen 2), outdoor, and Mini. Deleting the Sync Module and re-adding it could also help.

Here is a comprehensive guide for fixing the local storage issue on Blink:

Check the Requirements for Storing Clips Locally on Blink

Before we get on with the troubleshooting, let's take care of the basics first. Since local storage is a crucial aspect of how a Blink Cam works, it is best to know which models support local storage.

Even though local storage is made possible through the Sync Module, to which the Blink Cams connect, only a select few Blink Cameras support recording and storing to local storage.

Here are the Blink Cameras that support local storage clip storing:

Clearly, the Blink Indoor (gen 1), the XT, and the XT 2 models do not support local storage.

And so, if you're trying and store clips from any of these Cameras, you simply cannot.

Next, let's clear up the air about which USB sticks work with Blink. And the answer is quite simple, all of them work as long as they are under 256 GB.

However, Blink recommends freeing up at least 370 MB of space for storing the clips. In other words, Blink stores clips on local storage until the available space runs out right at about 370 MB.

For USB drives to be compatible with Blink Sync Module, they should be in ExFAT format. More about formatting USB drives to work with Blink later.

Another myth about Blink's local storage is that it requires an active Blink subscription to work. Pure hocus pocus, I say!

You can record and store clips on local storage even without the Blink subscription.

Finally, you will need a stable network connection with a minimum download/upload speed of 2 Mbps to record, transmit, and save clips on local storage.

That about wraps it up with the requirements part.

Let's now troubleshoot the issue on Blink, starting with removing and reinstalling the USB drive on the Sync Module.

Eject the USB drive from the Sync Module

One of the first steps to solving the local storage not working issue on Blink is to remove and reinstall the USB drive on the Sync Module.

Whether from bugs that may have gotten into the Sync Module through an errant update or sheer misfortune, the USB drive can become inactive and unresponsive.

And to fix such issues, start by ejecting the USB drive and reinstalling it again.

But you can't just pluck out the USB drive from the Sync Module. Instead, you'll have to eject the drive from the Blink Home Monitor app.

Here's how to do so:

1. Open the Blink app and tap on the Sync Module with the USB drive.

2. Select Local Storage.

3. Tap on the Safely Eject tile.

4. Once prompted to unplug the drive, do so with caution.

You may want to refresh the Sync Module and reformat the USB drive before plugging it back into the Sync Module.

Let's now look at how to format the USB drive to work with Blink:

How to Format USB Drive to Work with Blink

Formatting the USB drive in the appropriate format is vital for local storage on Blink.

Also, in doing so, you clear the contents of the USB drive, effectively clearing up space for more storage.

As mentioned above, Blink stops storing clips on a USB drive if and when the storage space runs below 375 MB.

And so, you may have to occasionally transfer the clips from the USB drive to a permanent location.

After backing up the contents, it is better to reformat the drive in the exFAT format.

Reformatting the USB drive is one of the recommended fixes for resolving issues with local storage on Blink.

As the first step to formatting the US drive, safely eject the USB drive from the Sync Module.

Then, follow these steps to format the drive in the exFAT format:

On Windows:

1. Plug in the USB drive and open the File Explorer tab.

2. Right-click on the USB drive tile.

3. Click on Format.

4. Under the File System tab, select exFAT.

5. Click Start to initiate the format.

6. Once the Format is complete, eject the USB drive.

On MAC OS:

1. Plug in the USB drive and open a Finder Window.

2. Find and open the Disk Utility.

3. Select the USB drive and click on Erase.

4. Switch the Format tile to exFAT.

5. Click on the Erase tile to initiate the format.

6. Select Done once completed.

7. Eject the USB drive.

Plug the USB drive into the Sync Module and check for the issue now.

Check the Status of the Network

A stable network connection may be the most vital aspect for a Blink System to work.

Instability with the connection, like with network speeds and latency, will affect the recording and clip transfer.

Needless to say, if this is the case, you won't find any clips or recordings in the local storage.

Network issues can also induce issues such as Blink Cam not working after battery change.

And so, it's safe to surmise that the problem may not entirely be with the Sync Module or the USB drive, but the network can also take some blame.

You can verify issues on the network by running a speed test. Open the browser on your device, and search and open a speed testing application like speed.net.

If you find a variation in the status of any of the parameters, like slow network speeds or throttling latency, it's best if you refresh the network Router/Modem.

Here's how to do so:

Power Cycle Router/Modem

If the network has become unstable, one of the best fixes to revert it to normalcy is to power cycle the Router/Modem.

Power cycling the Router may be the best option at your disposal.

Follow these steps to do so:

1. Unplug the power supply from the Router/Modem.

2. Leave it to rest for a few seconds (>45 secs).

3. Press and hold the various buttons on the Router. Perform this step a couple of times.

4. Plug back in the power supply and turn ON the Router/Modem.

Run the speed test once again on the network. If the network is stable enough, connect the Sync Module back to the network and check the local storage status.

Delete the Sync Module from the Blink App

The next, and perhaps the most effective, fix for resolving issues with local storage on Blink is to delete and re-add the associated Sync Module.

You could also do the same if you encounter issues such as Blink Photo Capture not working on your Cam.

As you may know, the Sync Module host the USB drive to enable local storage on Blink.

And so, it is only imperative to refresh the device that makes local storage possible.

And so, without any further ado, let's delete the Sync Module:

1. Open the Blink app and tap on the Sync Module tile.

2. Select Delete Sync Module from the bottom of the page.

3. Enter the serial code of the Sync Module by scanning the QR code from the back of the device. You can also manually type in the serial code.

4. Tap Delete to confirm.

Now you've successfully removed the Sync Module from the Blink app.

You can add the Sync Module to a Blink System by tapping on the '+' Add device> Blink Camera System.

But before you do so, factory reset the Sync Module as an added measure.

Factory Reset Blink Sync Module

Continuing from where we left off after deleting the Sync Module, let's, as the final stand, factory reset the Sync Module.

Factory resetting the Sync Module will irremediably reset all the network preferences and every other setting you have set on the device.

You essentially get a new slate to begin with again.

And being the core facilitator to view and record all your Blink Cams, setting right the Sync Module has to be a top priority.

Here's how to do so:

1. Remove the USB drive from the Sync Module, and locate the Reset Button next to the USB port.

2. Using a pointed tool like a paper clip, prick and hold the Reset Button until the LEDs blink RED.

3. The LEDs will turn Solid GREEN and blink BLUE to indicate the competition of the reset.

Connect back the Sync Module to the Blink app. Check for the issue now.

Final Thoughts

One other fix for resolving issues with the local storage on Blink is to refresh the Blink app. You can do so by deleting the app from the device and adding it again.

The fixes mentioned in this article will help you fix issues with local storage on Blink.

If you can't get the issue to settle, consider the chances of hardware damage, either on the USB drive or the Sync Module.

Try switching the USB drive with a new one and see if that fixes the issue. If not, the Syn Module is at fault.

Contact the customer services of Blink for any further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I check the storage left on my Blink Camera's local storage?

Follow these steps to check the storage situation of local storage on Blink:

1. Open the Blink app and tap on the Sync Module with the local storage.

2. Tap on Local Storage.

Here, you can find the percentage of storage occupied by the clips.

Can I use a regular USB drive on Blink?

Yes, you can use any USB type-A drive with a maximum storage capacity from 1GB to 256 GB. Only ensure the drive is formatted in the exFAT format.

Can you use Blink without the SYNC module?

Yes, you can use a couple of Blink Cameras without the Sync Module. The Blink Mini and the Video Doorbell can work as standalone devices without the Sync Module.

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