Your Garmin Mini 2 sits there on your dashboard, looking all sleek and ready to go. But then you check your footage after a trip, and there’s nothing. No video, no proof of that close call, nothing saved.
That empty feeling hits hard, especially if you’re counting on this little camera for safety or insurance purposes. But here’s some reassuring news: most recording failures on the Mini 2 can be fixed without spending a dime or shipping anything back to Garmin. Let’s walk through exactly what’s stopping your camera from doing its one main job and how to get it back on track.
What’s Actually Happening With Your Camera
Your Garmin Mini 2 stops recording for a variety of technical reasons, but they all boil down to the same frustrating result. The camera might power on just fine, show you a pretty screen, and even seem like it’s working perfectly. Yet the moment you need that footage, it’s nowhere to be found.
This recording failure can happen in different ways. Sometimes the camera never starts recording at all, even though you think it did. Other times, it starts but stops randomly during your drive. You might find partial files or completely empty storage despite driving for hours. Each scenario points to specific issues with how your camera handles recording tasks.
What makes this particularly tricky is that the Mini 2 doesn’t always tell you there’s a problem. Unlike some cameras that flash angry red lights or beep warnings, this one often fails silently. You drive off thinking everything’s fine, and only later do you realize you’ve been driving without any backup footage. That’s what makes understanding these problems so important.
The good news is that recording failures rarely mean your camera is completely broken. Most of the time, it’s a fixable issue with settings, storage, or power supply. Your camera’s hardware is probably fine. It just needs some attention to get back to recording properly.
Garmin Mini 2 Not Recording: Common Causes
Several factors can prevent your Mini 2 from recording properly. Understanding these causes helps you pinpoint exactly what’s going wrong with your specific setup.
1. SD Card Problems
Your memory card does all the heavy lifting for storing video. If it’s not working right, your camera simply can’t save anything. This is actually the most frequent reason for recording failures across all dash cams, including the Mini 2.
SD cards wear out over time, especially with constant recording cycles. Your card gets written to, erased, and written to again hundreds of times each week. After months of this treatment, even high-quality cards start developing errors. These errors might be invisible at first but eventually prevent proper recording.
The Mini 2 is also picky about card speed. It needs cards that can keep up with continuous high-definition video recording. If your card is too slow or formatted incorrectly, the camera will struggle to write data fast enough. The result is either failed recordings or choppy footage that eventually stops saving altogether.
2. Incorrect Camera Settings
Your Mini 2 has several settings that directly control recording behavior. One wrong toggle can silently disable the recording function without you realizing it. This happens more often than you’d think, especially after firmware updates or if someone else handled your camera settings.
The auto-start recording feature might be turned off, meaning your camera sits there powered on but never actually begins capturing video. You assume it’s working because the screen looks normal, but recordings never begin. Another setting that causes confusion is the manual recording mode, which requires you to actively press a button rather than recording automatically.
3. Power Supply Issues
Recording takes consistent power. If your Mini 2 isn’t getting enough juice or the power keeps cutting out, recording will fail. This can happen even if the camera appears to be on and functioning normally.
The power cable might be damaged internally where you can’t see it. It could also be loose at either connection point, causing intermittent power losses. Each time power cuts out, even for a split second, your recording stops. The camera might restart and power back on, but that doesn’t mean it resumes recording automatically.
Some car power outlets also shut off unexpectedly based on ignition states or battery-saving features. If your outlet stops providing power after a few minutes, your camera stops recording even though it might stay on temporarily using residual charge. That tiny gap in power is all it takes to kill an active recording session.
4. Firmware Glitches
Software bugs can prevent recording even when everything else seems perfect. Your camera’s firmware controls all recording functions, and occasionally these programs develop glitches that interfere with normal operation.
Outdated firmware might have known recording bugs that have been fixed in newer versions. If you haven’t updated in a while, you could be running software with recording issues that Garmin has already patched. These bugs might cause random recording stops, failed file saves, or complete recording failures under certain conditions.
5. Storage Space Limitations
Your Mini 2 needs empty space to record new footage. When storage fills up, the camera should automatically delete old files to make room. But sometimes this loop recording feature fails, leaving no space for new recordings.
If loop recording is disabled or malfunctioning, your camera hits maximum capacity and simply stops recording. The camera might still appear operational, but without available storage, there’s nowhere for new files to go. You end up with a full card and no new footage, thinking the camera is recording when it physically can’t save anything new.
Garmin Mini 2 Not Recording: DIY Fixes
These solutions tackle the most common recording problems. Try them in order, and chances are you’ll have your camera working again before you finish this list.
1. Reformat Your SD Card
Your first move should be formatting the SD card through the camera itself. This clears any hidden file errors and gives your storage a fresh start. Computer formats don’t always work properly for dash cams because they use different file systems.
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Back up any important footage to your computer first
- Go to your Mini 2 settings menu
- Find the storage or SD card option
- Select format and confirm
After formatting completes, test your camera by taking a short drive. Check if recordings appear in your camera’s saved files. Formatting fixes about 60% of recording issues because most problems trace back to corrupted storage.
2. Replace Your Memory Card
If formatting doesn’t help, your card might be too worn out or incompatible. The Mini 2 works best with high-endurance microSD cards rated for continuous recording. Regular cards fail quickly under constant use.
Get a Class 10 or UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) card at minimum. Better yet, choose one specifically labeled for dash cams or surveillance. These cards handle the constant write cycles much better than standard cards. Stick with 32GB to 256GB capacity for best results.
Once you install the new card, format it through the camera before using it. Even brand new cards need proper formatting to work correctly with your Mini 2. This simple step prevents many future headaches.
3. Check and Reset Recording Settings
Your settings might be blocking recordings without you knowing. Start by checking if auto-record is enabled. This setting should turn on automatically every time your camera gets power.
Go through your camera menu and verify these specific settings:
- Auto-record is turned on
- Loop recording is enabled
- Resolution is set to a supported option (try 1080p if higher resolutions cause issues)
- Any parking mode features are configured correctly
Sometimes doing a full factory reset clears stubborn setting problems. You’ll need to reconfigure your preferences afterward, but it often solves mysterious recording failures that nothing else fixes. The reset option lives in your system settings menu, usually labeled as “Restore Defaults” or “Factory Reset.”
4. Inspect and Replace Power Connections
Grab your power cable and check it carefully. Look for any visible damage, kinks, or worn spots. Wiggle the cable gently at both ends while the camera is on. If you see the screen flicker or the camera restart, you’ve found your problem.
Try a different power cable if you have one available. Garmin sells replacements, but you can often use compatible cables from other dash cams as long as they match the connector type and voltage requirements. Make sure any replacement cable supports enough power output for continuous recording.
Clean both ends of your current cable too. Sometimes dirt or corrosion on the metal contacts causes poor connections. A quick wipe with a dry cloth or a cotton swab with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol can restore proper contact.
5. Update Camera Firmware
Outdated software causes all sorts of weird behavior. Garmin regularly releases firmware updates that fix recording bugs and improve camera performance. Your current version might have a known issue that’s already been solved.
Visit Garmin’s official website and look for your Mini 2 model in their support section. Download the latest firmware to your computer. You’ll typically need to copy it to your SD card, then insert the card into your camera. The camera should detect the update file and prompt you to install it.
Make sure your camera has full power during the update process. A power loss during firmware installation can cause serious problems. Once updated, test recording again. Many users report that firmware updates alone solved their recording issues completely.
6. Verify Your Car’s Power Outlet
Test your power outlet with another device, like a phone charger. Does it work consistently? Some outlets only provide power when the ignition is on, while others stay active all the time. Your Mini 2 needs consistent power to record properly.
If your outlet cuts power unexpectedly, consider using a different one or installing a hardwire kit. Hardwiring connects your camera directly to your car’s fuse box, providing stable power that doesn’t depend on your cigarette lighter socket. Many users find this eliminates recording issues caused by unreliable power.
7. Contact Garmin Support
If none of these fixes work, your camera might have a hardware defect. Reach out to Garmin’s customer support with your camera’s serial number and a description of the problem. They can run diagnostics and determine if you need a replacement.
Hardware failures are rare with the Mini 2, but they do happen. Manufacturing defects occasionally slip through, or components fail prematurely. Garmin typically covers these issues under warranty if your camera is still within the coverage period. Even if your warranty expired, they might offer repair options or replacement programs.
Wrapping Up
Getting your Garmin Mini 2 back to recording usually takes less effort than you’d expect. Most problems come from simple issues like worn-out memory cards or power hiccups, nothing too serious or expensive to fix.
Start with the basics like reformatting your card and checking settings before moving to bigger solutions. Each fix builds on the last, so working through them systematically gives you the best shot at success. Your camera wants to record. Sometimes it just needs a little help getting back to work.