My dash cam keeps restarting in a boot loop

This article helps you troubleshoot a THINKWARE dash cam that repeatedly restarts without completing startup.

Note: If you see "Dash Cam not responding" while connecting via Wi-Fi or Hotspot, check that you selected the correct mobile app for your model. See Which THINKWARE Mobile app do I use?

An infinite rebooting loop occurs when the dash cam repeatedly powers on, plays the startup chime, or blinks its LEDs without completing startup. Follow the decision tree steps below.

Already tried some steps? Jump to:

1. Test with 12V Car Charger Cable

2. Remove microSD Card and Test Boot

3. Disconnect External Accessories

4. Update Dash Cam Firmware

5. Perform a Factory Reset

Test with 12V Car Charger Cable

Required tools: THINKWARE 12V Car Charger Cable.

Note: Loose fuse connections, OBD-II voltage drops, or wiring harness problems can interrupt power and cause restarting. Testing with a 12V Car Charger Cable helps you compare operation with and without the installed vehicle wiring.

Don't have a 12V Car Charger Cable available? Skip directly to Remove microSD Card and Test Boot below.

1. Temporarily power the dash cam using a standard 12V Car Charger Cable plugged into the vehicle's auxiliary power outlet.

Connecting standard 12V car charger power plug into DC-IN power jack on front dash cam

2. If rebooting stops with the 12V Car Charger Cable, check the original Hardwiring Cable or OBD-II Power Cable and its connections.

Remove microSD Card and Test Boot

1. Unplug the power cable, remove the microSD card, and reconnect the power cable.

A corrupted file system or incompatible third-party microSD card can interrupt startup and cause rebooting.

2. If the dash cam boots normally and utters "Please insert a SD card" once the card is removed, format the microSD card on a PC/Mac using the official SD Card Formatter tool, or replace it with a genuine THINKWARE endurance card.

For detailed memory card procedures, see My dash cam announces "Memory Card Error".

The table below summarizes dash cam boot responses based on memory card health.

microSD Card Condition	Voice Prompt / LED Status	Boot Result	Required Action
Card Removed	"Please insert an SD card"	Normal power-on	Format or replace SD card
Corrupted File System	"Memory Card Error" or silent reboot	Infinite reboot loop	Format on PC/Mac using official tool
Incompatible Third-Party Card	"System Error, the device will now restart"	Continuous rebooting	Replace with genuine THINKWARE SD card

Disconnect External Accessories

1. Turn off the ignition and unplug all attached accessories from the main unit:

V-IN port: Rear camera cable or Multiplexer Box
GPS port: External GPS antenna
RADAR port: RADAR module

2. Power on the front camera with no accessories attached.

3. If the front camera operates normally without accessories, reconnect each accessory one by one to identify which connection causes the issue.

4. If disconnecting the rear camera stops the reboot loop, see My rear camera is not recording or shows a black screen.

Update Dash Cam Firmware

If system errors or reboot loops begin after an app or OS update, update the dash cam firmware.

In the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app, connect to your dash cam and update when the app prompts you. Or, on a PC or Mac, copy the latest firmware for your model to a formatted microSD card, insert it into the powered-off dash cam, and turn it on.

Caution: Keep the dash cam powered on until you hear "Update Complete, Continuous Recording will now start". Powering off during the update can cause a fatal error.

For step-by-step instructions, or if the update does not work, see How to update your dash cam’s firmware.

Perform a Factory Reset

Caution: A factory reset erases all files on the microSD card and restores factory default settings. Back up important videos before you reset.

Follow the reset method for your model:

U3000 PRO, U3000: Press and hold the REC and MIC buttons together until the dash cam beeps.
Q200: Press and hold the Wi-Fi and REC buttons together until the dash cam beeps.
LCD models: Use the reset option in the on-screen settings menu.

For reset buttons and menus by model, or if the reset does not work, see How to Reset your Dash Cam.

Caution: Allowing a dash cam to remain in a continuous rebooting loop while parked can cause excessive power draw and secondary vehicle battery drainage. Address the rebooting loop immediately or disconnect the power cable to prevent battery drain.

None of the above worked

If you have checked the power cables, tested without the microSD card, disconnected accessories, updated firmware, reset the dash cam, and allowed it to cool, but the issue continues, please contact THINKWARE support.

For warranty or technical evaluation information, see About THINKWARE's warranty policy

Need more help?

Contact the support team for your region by email or phone. We’ll respond to your email as quickly as we can.

North America (US/CA)
Email: support@thinkware.com
Phone: 1-844-865-9273

United Kingdom (UK)
Email: support.eu@thinkware.com
Phone: +44 (0) 333-121-0008

Europe (EU)
Email: support@thinkwarestore.com
Phone: +49 69 943 22200