Dash Cam Stuck on Boot Screen or Keeps Restarting? Try These Fixes
Charles Alexis
A dash cam that freezes on its logo or restarts every few minutes is not recording properly. Here is how to get it back.
Boot loop vs turning off
This is different from a camera that just switches off. A boot loop is when the camera starts, gets partway through, then restarts again and again. Or it freezes on the start up logo and never gets further.
If yours just switches off, see our guide to a dash cam that keeps turning off.
Cause 1: the SD card
A corrupted or failing card is the most common cause of boot loops. The camera tries to read the card on start up, hits an error and restarts.
Fix: take the card out and power the camera on. If it boots normally without the card, the card is the problem. Format it in the camera, or replace it. See dash cam won’t read SD card.
Cause 2: not enough power
The camera needs a steady supply. A cheap 12V adapter, a worn cable or a loose connection can drop the voltage just as the camera starts up, causing it to restart.
Fix: try the original cable and adapter, or a known good one. If it is hardwired, check the earth and connections. See our guide to hardwire kits not working.
Cause 3: low vehicle voltage
Starting the engine causes a voltage dip. On an older or weak battery, that dip can be enough to reset the camera. Some cameras also restart when the hardwire kit’s cut-off kicks in and out near its threshold.
Fix: check the car battery. If the camera restarts at engine start but runs fine afterwards, the battery is likely the issue.
Cause 4: overheating
In summer, a camera in direct sun can overheat and restart to protect itself. See dash cam overheating in hot weather.
Cause 5: failed firmware update
If the camera started looping right after an update, the update may have been interrupted or corrupted.
Fix: download the firmware again from the manufacturer, put it on a freshly formatted card and follow their update instructions exactly. Do not cut the power during an update.
Cause 6: hardware failure
If none of the above works, and the camera loops with a new card, good power and fresh firmware, the internal hardware has likely failed. Check if it is still under warranty.
Step-by-step fix
- Remove the SD card and try booting.
- Swap to the original or a known good power cable and adapter.
- Reset to factory settings using the reset button or menu.
- Reinstall the firmware.
- Check the vehicle battery if it only happens at start up.
- Replace the camera if it still loops.
Why boot loops are dangerous for fleets
A camera stuck in a boot loop looks “on”. The light is flashing, the screen is showing a logo. A driver will not notice it is not recording.
Connected cameras report their status to a central dashboard, so a camera that keeps restarting or stops recording shows up as a fault. You find out from a report, not from a missing clip after a crash.
You can see how that works on our connected dash cameras page.
Summary
Test without the SD card first, then check power, then firmware. Most boot loops are one of those three. If not, it is a hardware fault.