UniFi Protect says storage is at risk or a recording drive is missing. Should I format it?

Applies to: UniFi Protect recording storage on supported consoles and NVRs; model-specific drive handling applies.

Work through these checks

1. Open the console’s storage/drive health view. Record the exact status, drive model and bay, capacity, recent changes and whether recording still works. A health warning and an absent drive require different checks.
2. Export important accessible footage before changes. Confirm the installed drive’s type and compatibility for the console, including supported capacity and any requirements for multi-bay storage.
3. If a drive or tray was recently changed, follow that console’s installation and shutdown instructions. Do not assume every console supports hot-swapping or that moving a drive between console families preserves recordings.
4. For a confirmed failed drive, plan replacement against the current storage-protection state. Keep the original drive until footage needs are resolved, and let any supported rebuilding operation finish before further replacements.

Confirm the result

Storage health is normal, a new test recording can be played and required older footage remains available or has been exported.

If you need help

Include these details in your ticket: Console/Protect versions, drive model/bay/status, protection mode, recent changes and footage that must be retained.

Updated 261107