Dash cam does not turn on at allUpdated 2 months ago
If your dash cam shows no lights, no voice prompts, and no response, this is almost always a power or fuse related issue, not a fault with the camera itself.
Follow the steps below in order.
1. How is the dash cam powered?
First confirm which power method you are using:
• Hardwire kit
• 12V cigarette lighter plug
Also note whether the dash cam ever powered on previously, or if it has never turned on at all. This helps narrow down the cause.
2. If using the 12V cigarette lighter plug
Check the glass barrel fuse inside the 12V plug.
How to check it:
• Unscrew the metal tip of the 12V plug
• Inside you will find a small glass barrel fuse
• If the filament inside the glass is broken or blackened, the fuse is blown and the dash cam will not receive power
If the fuse is blown, it will need to be replaced with the same fuse rating.
Also confirm you are plugging into a true 12V socket.
Important:
• Some vehicles, especially trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles, use 24V sockets
• Plugging the dash cam directly into a 24V socket will blow the fuse immediately
• If your vehicle is 24V, you must use a 24V to 12V step-down converter before powering the dash cam
Do not use USB or USB-C ports in the vehicle. These only supply 5V and will not power the dash cam.
3. If using the hardwire kit
Check the inline 2 amp fuse on the hardwire kit.
• Locate the small fuse holder on the hardwire cable
• Open it and inspect the 2 amp fuse
• If the fuse is blown, the dash cam will receive no power
Also confirm:
• Yellow wire is connected to a constant 12V fuse
• Red wire is connected to an ACC fuse that turns on and off strictly with ignition
• Black wire is grounded to bare metal
If a fuse was removed from the vehicle fuse box to install the fuse tap, make sure the original vehicle fuse is installed into the fuse tap along with the dash cam’s 2 amp fuse. If the original fuse is not installed, the circuit can be interrupted and cause power issues.
4. Test without the SD card
Turn the vehicle off, then:
• Remove the SD card from the dash cam
• Power the dash cam back on
If the dash cam powers on only when the SD card is removed, this indicates SD card corruption or fragmentation, which can prevent the camera from booting.
In this case:
• Reformat the SD card
• Or replace the SD card if the issue continues
SD cards are consumable items and require ongoing maintenance.
5. If it still does not power on
If:
• No lights turn on at all
• Fuses are intact
• Power source is confirmed 12V
• The dash cam does not power on even without an SD card
Please contact support and let us know:
• Whether the dash cam ever powered on previously
• Whether you are hardwired or using the 12V plug
• Whether any fuses were found blown
• What vehicle the dash cam is installed in
This information allows us to diagnose the issue accurately and quickly.
In the majority of cases, a blown fuse, incorrect voltage, or SD card issue is the cause, not a faulty dash cam.