We can confirm Tesla’s recent 2022.12.3.2 software update (and other 2022.12.3.x versions) are causing an issue with the vehicle’s dashcam feature not recording properly.
Periodically, the error message “Dashcam unavailable” shows up along with “Check USB drive”. With this USB error, it means your Tesla’s dashcam will not record while you’re driving and Sentry mode won’t work properly.
How to fix this ‘dashcam unavailable’ error? There are two temporary solutions.
1) Format the USB drive in your Tesla by going to Controls > Safety & Security > Format USB Device > Format
2) Open the glove box, unplug the USB stick and plug it back in
Other ideas also involve doing a system reboot of your Tesla (press and hold both steering wheel buttons until the car reboots) or trying another USB stick.
These are temporary fixes that will solve the USB issue for a few days, before it returns. We suggest you drag the dashcam icon into your lower icons, so you can always know when the USB is allowing recording (a solid red dot; a problem means a red ‘x’).
Many Tesla owners continue to experience this USB bug within their cars and the automaker will likely fix this bug with its next software update. Until then, share in the comments what has worked for you to fix this dashcam USB error.
Update May 29, 2022: Elon Musk has confirmed a fix is coming and explains why the problem occurred in the first place.
The ‘x’ appeared every few days, and I had been unplugging and replugging the USB stick. Finally, the ‘x’ still appeared after unplugging, so I formatted the USB. So far, no ‘x’ in the past few days.
Reformatting the drive hasn’t been a permanent fix for me. Both solutions only last a few days.
Same problem and the temp fixes all work but issues continues to return
This is extremely frustrating because the dash am feature is one of the main reasons I bought a Tesla. I’ve done unplugging and reinserting, that fixes the problem for a day or less. I did the reformat and that lasted another day. Today neither work and getting an error while formatting USB…….wait just unplugged and reformatted for 3rd time and it worked. Tesla needs fix for this ASAP
No need to format! Just pull the drive, wait a minute or so, then replug!
Can’t seem to fix it. flashdrive can’t be reformatted as somehow it became read-only which seems permanent (tried multiple tools). Getting a new flashdrive now to see if that helps
Do you have the latest software updates installed?
yes, I typically install them within a few days
This problem still happens in MY. Frustrating.
I have a 2020 Tesla 3 that I (per Tesla recommendation) had the Samsung T5 1TB SSD usb drive inserted as the dash cam drive. This 1TB usb drive worked without any problem for years …until the most recent Tesla software update. The the “dash cam unavailable” error popped up. I reformatted, defragged, hard/soft rebooted, etc. all to no avail. The Samsung usb drive was fully functional on a computer. Finally had Tesla service come out and examine. Solution: the last Tesla update apparently negated the ability of the car’s dash cam to use a large usb drive like the Samsung 1TB. Inserted a smaller 128 GB usb drive; worked instantly; back to full function. Tesla needs to make this known to everyone.
This just happened to my Samsung 1TB SSD in my Y! Super frustrating to have it come up out of nowhere.
i have a 2020 M3 and ever since the last update a month ago or so my samsung 64 gb stopped working and only works when restarting the car. Tried another new thumb drive and leaving sentry mode on to see if that solves it but i doubt it. i also have a multiport adapter so it’s not the usb port because alll other things connected to my adapter still work like bluetooth game controller and wired charging cable. So it’s a thumb drive communication issueand tesla needs to fix it as i don’t want to leave sentry mode on at home if that is indeed the bandaid solution
okay so after leaving sentry mode on at night, the usb drive for the dash am was still active. i didnt need to do the reset. So it’s definitely some software bug. Luckily they improved sentry mode to use less battery so leaving it on at night in your home shouldn’t be a big deal
Same problem here, after the update, my working thumb drive is not working now 🙁
i leave sentry mode on and that helps but the update i got yesterday, i need to also once in a while unplug the drive and replug it in. I’m good with that versus having to restart the car everytime. So leave sentry on and once a day you will need to unplug and plug back in. Has nothing to do with the drive type as i had one that was recommended and had same issue. It the one that tesla uses but not from tesla.