Support
Hanwha Wisenet WAVE Recording Not Working
Hanwha WAVE Support

Summary
Use this guide when Hanwha WAVE is not keeping footage, cameras stop recording intermittently, or expected clips are missing from the archive.
Applies to
- Hanwha Wisenet WAVE systems
- Hanwha cameras on WAVE
- WAVE archive and playback complaints
Difficulty and time
Difficulty: Moderate to advanced
Estimated time: 20 to 45 minutes
What you will need
- Access to the WAVE server or client
- Knowledge of archive storage location
- Camera list and licence state
- Expected incident time or missing clip window
What this guide covers
- Check archive and camera health
- Check recording rules
- Check stream and server load
- Run a controlled recording test
WAVE recording faults are different from ordinary NVR faults because the archive path, server resources and camera licensing all matter alongside the camera stream itself.
This guide is meant to help owners and installers prove the archive, camera and schedule path in order before they blame the export or playback tools.
Before you start
Treat WAVE as a server, archive and camera workflow together, not just as a camera viewer.
- Check which cameras are affected.
- Know where the archive is meant to be stored.
- Check whether the issue is all-day or only at certain times.
- Confirm the licences and server health are known.
Do not assume missing playback always means deleted footage
WAVE recording gaps often come back to archive issues, server resource problems, or cameras that dropped out upstream.
Fixing the playback complaint starts with proving the archive and camera state first.
Step 1: Confirm the affected cameras and archive health
Start by checking whether one camera is affected or whether the whole archive path is struggling.
- Check camera connection status.
- Check archive storage availability.
- Confirm whether licences are active where relevant.
- Note whether the gap is one channel or the whole system.
Step 2: Check recording mode and schedule
The camera may be connected but the recording rule may not match what the owner expects.
- Review whether the camera is set for continuous, motion or another rule.
- Check the schedule on the affected device.
- Compare the expected time window against the actual rule.
- Do not rely on memory about how the site was meant to be set up.
Step 3: Check stream and server health
A weak stream path or overloaded server can create archive problems even when the camera seems visible.
- Check stream stability from the affected camera.
- Check whether the server or storage path is under pressure.
- Look for repeated disconnects or archive warnings.
- Test one affected camera at a time if needed.
Step 4: Run a controlled recording test
Once the archive, rule and stream path are understood, run a fresh controlled test and prove the result in playback.
- Trigger a known event or test period.
- Wait for the clip to archive properly.
- Check playback locally in WAVE.
- Document the result before changing more settings.
Common mistakes
- Assuming playback failure always means deletion.
- Ignoring archive storage warnings.
- Not checking whether the problem affects one camera or the whole server.
- Changing several rules at once without a controlled test.
Troubleshooting table
| Symptom | What to check | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| One camera missing recordings | Camera stream or camera rule issue | Check that camera separately from the rest of the system. |
| Several cameras missing clips | Archive or server path issue | Review storage, archive health and server resources. |
| Visible live view but no expected playback | Rule or archive issue | Check recording mode, schedule and archive status. |
When to contact support
Contact SecurityWholesalers support when the archive path, camera status and recording rules have been checked and Wisenet WAVE still is not keeping the expected footage.
Related support guides
- How to Export Footage from a Hanwha Recorder - Useful once the archive path is working again.
- Hanwha Motion Detection vs Analytics Setup - Useful when event-based recording expectations are part of the problem.
Related buying guides
- Hanwha Buying Guide - Broader Hanwha planning guide.
Relevant product categories
- Hanwha WAVE Licenses - WAVE category.
- Hanwha Vision CCTV Cameras and Security Systems - Hanwha product range.
Still stuck?
Need help choosing or setting up a system? Contact SecurityWholesalers support with your order number, product model and a clear description of the issue.
Frequently asked questions
-
Why is Hanwha Wisenet WAVE not recording?
Usually because of archive storage, schedule logic, camera connectivity, stream health or licence and server workflow issues.
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Can live view work while recording fails?
Yes. Live view alone does not prove the archive path is healthy.
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Should I check archive storage first?
Yes. The archive path is one of the first places to look.
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Can one camera fail while others record normally?
Yes. That often points to a camera-specific stream or rule issue.
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Should I run a controlled test clip?
Yes. A fresh controlled test is one of the best ways to prove the result.
















