3 Effective Methods to Recover Deleted CCTV (DVR) Footage

Having surveillance footage of your home or business can be highly advantageous, as it enables you to keep an eye on the safety and security of your property. Unfortunately, CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) recordings may occasionally become corrupted or be deleted entirely. Fortunately, there are several tried and true methods for retrieving deleted CCTV footage. Before delving into these techniques, let's explore the reasons why CCTV video might get deleted in the first place.

Method 1: Recover Deleted CCTV (DVR) Footage with Software

Recovering deleted CCTV footage can be a challenging endeavor. Thankfully, the Data Recovery Wizard Pro offers an efficient and dependable solution for swiftly restoring lost or accidentally erased surveillance videos. This user-friendly software effortlessly scans both internal hard drives and external storage devices to retrieve damaged or missing video files.

1. It can recover deleted videos in various formats, such as MP4, AVI, MPG, MOV, RMVB, and more. 2. This video repair software can fix corrupted, damaged, and unplayable videos with just a few simple clicks. 3. Data Recovery Wizard is compatible with Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP, as well as Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008/2003.

Download this data recovery software and follow the steps below to restore deleted CCTV videos and footage:

Step 1. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool and select the location or device from where you lost or deleted the videos. Click on "Scan" to search for the missing videos.

Step 2. After the scan, choose "Videos" from the left panel. Go to "Lost" or "All" to locate the desired videos. Select the found videos and click "Preview".

Step 3. Choose the video files you wish to restore. Click "Recover" to save them to another secure location on your computer or external storage device.

You can also watch this video for additional assistance with video recovery.

1. 00:00 How to Recover Photos and Videos from Camera SD Card
2. 00:19 Causes of Camera Data Loss
3. 00:40 What to Do When You Lose Camera Photos or Videos
4. 01:05 How to Obtain Reliable Camera Photo Recovery Software
5. 01:44 How to Use the Data Recovery Wizard Tool

Method 2: Recover Deleted CCTV Footage with Data Recovery Services Method 2: Recover Lost CCTV Footage Using Professional Data Recovery Services

Recovering deleted CCTV footage doesn't have to be an intimidating process; it can be efficiently accomplished with the assistance of a data recovery service. offers a range of data recovery services, including RAID recovery, disk repair, and system repair, which are user-friendly and deliver outstanding outcomes.

Contact the data recovery experts to recover and repair CCTV videos.

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Video Recovery Services Tools

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Method 3: How to Recover Deleted CCTV Footage with Backups If you have backups of your CCTV footage, you can easily recover the deleted videos. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. **Identify Backup Sources**: Check where your CCTV system stores its backups. This could be an external hard drive, network-attached storage (NAS), or cloud-based backup service. 2. **Connect Backup Device**: Connect the backup device to your computer or the CCTV system, depending on the type of backup and the system's requirements. 3. **Access Backup Software**: Launch the backup software or application associated with your CCTV system. This may be provided by the manufacturer or be a third-party solution. 4. **Locate the Deleted Footage**: Within the backup software, navigate to the folder or section where the deleted footage is stored. It might be in a "Deleted Videos" or "Recycle Bin" folder. 5. **Restore the Footage**: Select the desired video(s) and choose the option to restore or recover them. The process may vary depending on the software, but typically involves clicking on "Restore," "Recover," or a similar button. 6. **Save the Restored Footage**: Once the recovery is complete, save the restored CCTV footage to a secure location on your computer or another storage device, ensuring it's well-organized and labeled for future reference. Remember, having a regular backup routine is crucial to prevent permanent loss of important CCTV recordings. If you don't have backups, recovery might be more challenging or even impossible.

Creating a video backup beforehand can simplify the process. If your CCTV footage gets deleted, follow these steps to recover it: 1. **Remain Calm**: First, stay composed as panic can lead to further mistakes. 2. **Do Not Record Over It**: Cease all new recordings on the CCTV system immediately to prevent overwriting the deleted footage. 3. **Disconnect the Camera or DVR/NVR**: To avoid data corruption, disconnect the CCTV camera or the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or Network Video Recorder (NVR) from the power source and network. 4. **Use Data Recovery Software**: Acquire a reliable data recovery software specifically designed for CCTV footage, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Stellar Data Recovery. 5. **Install and Launch the Software**: Install the chosen software on a separate device (preferably a computer), then launch it. 6. **Connect the CCTV Device**: Connect the DVR/NVR or the memory card from the CCTV camera to the computer using a USB cable or a card reader. 7. **Scan the Device**: Select the connected device in the software and initiate a deep scan to search for lost files. 8. **Preview and Recover**: Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered files and select the deleted CCTV footage. Click on 'Recover' to save it to a secure location on your computer. 9. **Backup Your Footage**: After recovery, make sure to create regular backups of your CCTV footage to avoid future loss. Remember, the success of the recovery depends on whether the footage has been overwritten or not. The sooner you act, the higher the chances of retrieving the deleted videos.

Step 1. Find the CCTV footage backup folder and open it.

Step 2. Search for the deleted files and transfer them back to the original storage disk or SD card.

Why Do CCTV Videos Get Deleted (Common Reasons)?

Losing CCTV videos can result from various factors. The videos might have been lost due to any of the following reasons: 1. Technical Issues: Faulty hardware, such as damaged or malfunctioning cameras, recording devices, or storage media, can lead to video loss. 2. Storage Overflow: If the storage capacity of the CCTV system is full, new recordings may overwrite older footage, causing it to be lost. 3. Power Outages: Sudden power cuts or fluctuations can disrupt the recording process, leading to incomplete or lost footage. 4. Software Glitches: Issues with the CCTV software, firmware, or operating system can cause data corruption or loss. 5. Human Error: Accidental deletion, mismanagement of recorded files, or incorrect configuration of the recording settings can result in lost videos. 6. Physical Damage: Damage to the CCTV equipment, such as cameras or storage devices, due to environmental factors (e.g., water, fire, or impact) can render the footage inaccessible. 7. Hacking or Malware: Unauthorized access or malware attacks on the CCTV system can lead to deletion or manipulation of the video recordings. 8. Recording Settings: Inadequate or incorrect recording settings, such as low resolution or short retention periods, can contribute to the loss of CCTV footage. 9. Connectivity Issues: Poor network connectivity or disruption in the transmission of data from the cameras to the recording device can lead to missing videos. 10. Maintenance Neglect: Lack of regular maintenance and updates to the CCTV system can increase the likelihood of issues that might cause video loss. It's crucial to identify the specific reason for the loss to prevent future occurrences and potentially recover the lost footage if possible.

1. Accidental deletion of CCTV footage
2. Computer crash or power outage
3. Defective hardware resulting in malfunctioning cables
4. Unforeseen causes such as water leakage and moisture
5. Formatted hard drive, corrupted or damaged CCTV HDD or DVR
6. Bad sectors and virus infections on CCTV hard drives or SD cards

Regardless of the cause, it is crucial for users to take appropriate steps to safeguard their footage from the potential risks of lost CCTV videos. Adhere to the solutions below to perform CCTV DVR data recovery from your hard drive.

Bonus Tip: How to Prevent CCTV Camera Video Loss

Protecting your CCTV footage can be effortlessly achieved with the right resources and security measures in place. It is essential to adhere to a few straightforward steps.

Make backups: It's advisable to create backups of all your video recordings to facilitate rapid recovery in case anything happens to the original content.

Regularly inspect the cameras: Ensure that the cameras are positioned in areas that are difficult to access or out of plain sight.

Utilize passwords: Employing passwords and encryption protocols are also crucial for protecting the footage from unauthorized access.

Protect access: Enabling two-factor authentication or restricting access via whitelisted IPs will also help secure your video feed.

These measures can help ensure that any CCTV footage collected is protected from malicious individuals and provides reassurance against theft or unauthorized access.

Conclusion

The majority of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) users need to know how to retrieve lost or erased surveillance footage. This can be crucial in situations like accidents, break-ins, or any other incident where video evidence is required. The methods for video recovery differ based on the type of system you have and its setup configuration.

With the appropriate video recovery software and methods, it is often feasible to recover deleted CCTV videos. However, the ideal way to prevent losing your footage initially is to create regular backups. This ensures that even if something occurs to your primary recordings, you will still have a backup copy of the footage available.

1. What is CCTV footage recovery? CCTV footage recovery refers to the process of retrieving lost or deleted video recordings from Closed-Circuit Television systems. 2. Can deleted CCTV footage be recovered? Yes, in many cases, deleted CCTV footage can be recovered with the help of specialized software or professional data recovery services. 3. Why does CCTV footage get deleted? CCTV footage may get deleted due to various reasons such as storage overflow, accidental deletion, system malfunction, or formatting of the storage device. 4. How long does it take to recover deleted CCTV footage? The time taken for recovery depends on the size of the files, the condition of the storage device, and the complexity of the recovery process. It can range from a few hours to several days. 5. Is it possible to recover overwritten CCTV footage? Recovering overwritten footage is generally more challenging, but not impossible. If the data has not been completely overwritten, there's a chance it can be restored. 6. Can I recover deleted CCTV footage myself? If you have the necessary technical knowledge and tools, you might be able to recover the footage using data recovery software. However, for complex cases, it's recommended to seek professional assistance. 7. Are there any legal implications for recovering deleted CCTV footage? In most jurisdictions, there are regulations governing CCTV usage and data retention. Ensure you comply with local laws before attempting to recover or access deleted footage. 8. How to prevent losing CCTV footage in the future? Regularly backup your footage, manage your storage capacity effectively, and maintain your CCTV system to minimize the chances of losing important recordings. 9. Can I recover footage from a damaged CCTV hard drive? Yes, professional data recovery services can often retrieve data from damaged hard drives, although success rates may vary depending on the extent of the damage. 10. What should I do if I need to recover deleted CCTV footage urgently? Contact a professional data recovery service immediately, as they can prioritize urgent cases and increase the likelihood of successful recovery.

If you're still having issues, review the frequently asked questions and answers below for further assistance.

< strong >1. Is it possible to retrieve deleted CCTV footage?

Yes, you can recover deleted CCTV footage using data recovery software, services, or backups.

< strong >2. Can I recover overwritten CCTV footage? Yes, in some cases, overwritten CCTV footage may be recoverable. When a CCTV system records new footage, it sometimes does not completely erase the old data but instead writes over it. Special data recovery software or professional services might be able to retrieve the previously recorded video by accessing unallocated sectors on the storage device. However, the chances of successful recovery decrease as more new footage is recorded, so prompt action is crucial.

Yes, you can. There are several methods to recover overwritten CCTV files, and the most efficient approach is by utilizing data recovery software tools:

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• Run the Data Recovery Wizard tool
• Select the location and click Scan
• Recover lost video recordings

3. Is it possible to retrieve CCTV footage from one year after an incident?

If your system was designed with those specifications in mind, you would only be able to retrieve the video footage. If your CCTV system can store data for two weeks before it is overwritten, then after one year, it would have been overwritten a dozen times.

But if the CCTV system was down for a year and the storage device was never touched, you could potentially recover the CCTV footage.

4. How long do public cameras retain footage?

Different systems have different rules. In America, it is typical for local governments to retain public CCTV footage for six months from the date it was recorded.