Why Won't My Kasa Camera Record Motion Events?
- Motion detection turned off in camera settings
- Activity zones not configured or set incorrectly
- Push notifications disabled for Kasa app on phone
Problem Description
Your Kasa camera shows live video but does not record motion events or send notifications. You can open the app and see what is happening right now, but when you check activity history there are no recordings. Motion happens in front of the camera but no clips appear and no push notifications arrive. You expected the camera to capture everything and now you realize you have no footage of important events. This defeats the purpose of having a security camera. The issue is usually motion detection settings, notification permissions, or storage configuration.
Symptoms
- Live view works but no motion clips saved in activity tab
- Camera does not send push notifications for motion
- Activity history shows nothing even after motion events
- Motion detection worked before but stopped suddenly
- Cloud subscription active but no recordings appear
- SD card installed but camera not saving to it
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Motion detection turned off in camera settings
- Activity zones not configured or set incorrectly
- Push notifications disabled for Kasa app on phone
- Camera sensitivity too low to detect motion
- No Kasa Care subscription and no SD card for storage
- SD card full or not formatted correctly
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
Formatting the SD card deletes all existing recordings permanently. Download any important clips before formatting. The app does not warn you before erasing the card.
Tools & Requirements
These tools will help you complete this fix.
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Step-by-Step Solution
Enable Motion Detection in Camera Settings
Open the Kasa app and tap your camera. Tap the gear icon for settings then find Motion Detection or Activity Detection. Make sure the toggle is turned on. Below the toggle you should see sensitivity settings and activity zone options. If motion detection was accidentally turned off no clips will be recorded and no notifications will be sent regardless of other settings. Turn it on and test by walking in front of the camera.
Configure Activity Zones Properly
Activity zones limit where the camera looks for motion. If zones are set wrong the camera ignores motion in important areas. In camera settings tap Activity Zones. You should see a grid overlay on the camera view. Make sure the squares covering areas you want monitored are selected. Deselect areas with constant movement like trees or busy streets that cause false alerts. If no zones are selected the camera may not detect anything. Select at least the main area you want covered.
Check Phone Notification Permissions
Even if the camera detects motion you will not get push notifications if your phone blocks them. On iPhone go to Settings then Notifications then find Kasa. Make sure Allow Notifications is on and the alert style is set to show on lock screen and banners. On Android go to Settings then Apps then Kasa then Notifications and ensure they are enabled. Also check Do Not Disturb is not blocking alerts during times you expect notifications.
Verify Storage Is Available
Kasa cameras need somewhere to store recordings. Without a Kasa Care subscription or SD card there is nowhere to save clips. In the Kasa app go to camera settings then Storage. If you have an SD card it should show capacity and usage. If it shows no SD card detected remove and reinsert the card. If you want cloud storage you need a Kasa Care subscription. Without either option only live viewing works and nothing is recorded.
Needed for this step
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$69.99Format SD Card Through Kasa App
If you have an SD card but recordings are not saving it may be full or improperly formatted. In camera settings tap Storage then SD Card. Look for an option to Format SD Card. This erases everything on the card and sets it up correctly for the camera. After formatting enable loop recording so when the card fills up old footage is automatically deleted to make room for new recordings. Cards 32GB to 256GB work best.
Quick Solutions
Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.
If the sensor still misses events after repositioning, check whether a scheduled 'home' or 'away' mode is overriding the sensitivity setting silently.
Even with Kasa Care, clips are only saved for detected motion events. If you want continuous 24/7 recording you need an SD card. Kasa Care gives cloud backup of motion clips but local SD card recording captures everything.
Live view problems that start suddenly usually trace back to an upload speed drop — the camera itself is fine, the bandwidth path to the cloud isn't.
- Motion detection turned off in camera settings
- Activity zones not configured or set incorrectly
- Push notifications disabled for Kasa app on phone
- Camera sensitivity too low to detect motion
- No Kasa Care subscription and no SD card for
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
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Official Manufacturer Manual
If you need the complete manufacturer documentation for advanced setup, wiring diagrams, or detailed specifications, you can download the official manual below. The manual includes full technical instructions directly from the manufacturer and may help if your issue requires deeper troubleshooting.
Download the Official Kasa Spot Camera ManualSource: tp-link.com
Need More Help? Kasa Smart Support
Note: The contact information below connects you directly to Kasa Smart's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.
How Does Kasa Smart Compare?
Before replacing your Kasa Smart device, see how it stacks up against alternatives in our full comparison guides.
