Tapo C120 SD Card Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Tapo cameras record locally to a microSD card (sold separately), with no subscription needed. The card has to be compatible, correctly inserted and formatted in the Tapo app, or recording stops.
What This Problem Means
If your Tapo C120 is showing this fault, working through the checks below in order resolves it in the large majority of cases. Each step is safe to try yourself and follows TP-Link’s official Tapo guidance.
Common Symptoms
- “SD card error” or card not recognised
- Recordings missing or won’t save
- Camera won’t format the card
- Card shows full or read-only
Safe Checks You Can Try
1. Use a compatible card
Fit a Class 10 / U1 (or higher) microSD card within your model’s supported capacity — up to 256GB on most Tapo cameras and 512GB on newer ones. High-endurance cards last far longer in cameras.
2. Reseat the card
Power the camera off, remove the card, and push it back in firmly until it clicks.
3. Format it in the app
Go to Device Settings > Storage (or Memory Card) and format the card. New cards must be formatted before recording works.
4. Format on a PC if it won’t take
If in-app formatting fails, format the card to FAT32 or exFAT on a computer, then re-insert and format again in the Tapo app.
5. Try a known-good card
Swap in a different card to rule out a worn or faulty one — cameras write constantly and wear cards out over time.
6. Update the firmware
Make sure the camera is on the latest firmware in the Tapo app, which can fix card-recognition bugs.
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When To Contact Support
If you have worked through every step and your Tapo C120 still has this problem, the hardware may need attention. Visit TP-Link support for further help or to arrange a replacement if it is in warranty.