My dash cam does not enter parking mode

This article helps you troubleshoot a THINKWARE dash cam that does not enter Parking Mode.

Parking settings, power cable type, ACC and constant-power connections, battery protection thresholds, the Off Timer, and vehicle battery age can affect recording.

Note: If your dash cam is not recording while driving, it is because the microSD card displays a memory error or formatting prompt, please refer to My dash cam announces "Memory Card Error".

If the dash cam shuts down when you turn off the engine or does not announce "Parking recording will now start", follow these steps.

 

Already tried some steps? Jump to:

1.   Confirm Power Cable Type Supports Parking Mode (Basic Cross-Check)

2.   Enable Parking Mode Settings in THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK App

3.   Check Parking Mode Power Connections

4.   Verify Parking Mode Waiting Time and Off Timer Settings

 

THINKWARE dash cam mounted on windshield displaying parking mode

 

Confirm Power Cable Type Supports Parking Mode (Basic Cross-Check)

Note: A 12V Car Charger Cable cannot trigger Parking Mode. The auxiliary socket either turns off with the engine or keeps the camera in continuous driving mode. Parking Surveillance requires a THINKWARE Hardwiring Cable, OBD-II Power Cable, or iVolt External Battery Pack.

Don't have a hardwiring cable or OBD-II Power Cable installed? See How to install a Hardwiring Cable or How to install an OBD-II Power Cable.

1. Verify which power cable is connected to the DC-IN port of your dash cam main unit.

2. If using a 12V Car Charger Cable: This cable is designed for driving mode only. The dash cam cannot enter Parking Mode with this cable. Upgrade to a Hardwiring Cable or OBD-II Power Cable.

Caution: If the 12V socket remains powered after ignition OFF, manually disconnect the 12V Car Charger Cable to prevent battery drain. It cannot activate Parking Mode because it has no ACC signal wire.

3. If you use a Hardwiring Cable, OBD-II Power Cable, or iVolt Battery Pack, Enable Parking Mode Settings in THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK App below.

 

Enable Parking Mode Settings in THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK App

Parking Mode is enabled by default on most models, but some models have it disabled. Check the Parking Mode setting for your model before proceeding.

1. Turn on the vehicle ignition and open the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app on your smartphone.

2. Connect to your dash cam via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

3. Navigate to [Dash Cam Settings] > [Record Settings] > [Parking Mode].

THINKWARE app Parking Mode choices with RADAR selected

4. Select your preferred Parking Surveillance mode:

  • Motion Detection: Records when motion or impact is detected.
  • Time Lapse: Records continuously at a reduced frame rate.
  • Energy Saving: Uses low-power standby and records when an impact is detected.
  • RADAR: Built into U3000 PRO and U3000; requires the optional RADAR Module for U1000 Plus, U1000, Q1000, ARC 900, ARC 700, and X1000.

For Parking Mode details and supported options, see Selecting a Parking Mode.

5. Tap the back arrow in the top-left corner to save settings.

Caution: Changing memory partition settings (such as Continuous Priority, Parking Priority, Impact Priority, or Driving Only) automatically formats the entire SD card and deletes all existing footage. Back up important recordings before changing partition settings.

 

Check Parking Mode Power Connections

Depending on your installed power cable, verify the electrical connections below:

 

Select your power cable or battery pack:

 

Hardwiring Cable

Required tools: Multimeter or circuit tester.

1. Use a circuit tester at the vehicle fuse box to verify that current flows on the Red (ACC) wire only when the ignition is ON, and on the Yellow (BATTERY) wire at all times (constant 12V).

2. Check the wire color and printed sheath label together: Red = ACC, Yellow = BATTERY, Black = GND.

THINKWARE Hardwiring Cable showing the Red ACC, Yellow BATTERY, and Black GND wires with printed labels

3. Inspect the Black (GND) ground wire eyelet. Ensure it is securely bolted to bare, unpainted metal on the vehicle chassis.

Black ground cable eyelet securely fastened to bare metal chassis bolt near vehicle fuse box

4. If the dash cam stays powered on without announcing "Parking recording will now start", check whether the Red ACC wire uses a constant fuse. Connect it to an ignition-switched fuse, such as the cigarette lighter or wiper fuse.

Red ACC wire connected to an ignition-switched fuse and Yellow BATTERY wire connected to a constant-power fuse

For power cable installation guidance, see How to install a Hardwiring Cable.

 

THINKWARE OBD-II Power Cable with selector switches

1. Set the vehicle-type switch to [F] for gasoline vehicles or [EV] for electric and hybrid vehicles. Set the parking switch to [P] to enable Parking Mode.

OBD-II Power Cable selector showing EV and F vehicle settings & D and P parking settings

2. Check that the OBD-II connector is firmly seated, the cable indicator is lit, and the power cable is connected to the dash cam.

3. Turn off the engine and check whether the dash cam enters Parking Mode. Allow the configured Parking Mode Waiting Time (default 30 seconds, adjustable to 1–5 minutes), plus approximately 5 minutes for gasoline vehicles or 10 minutes for electric and hybrid vehicles.

For power cable installation guidance, see How to install an OBD-II Power Cable.

 

THINKWARE OBD-II Power Cable without selector switches

1. Confirm that Parking Mode is enabled in the dash cam settings.

2. If you have a power connection issue, disconnect and reconnect the OBD-II Power Cable three times to reset the connection.

Old OBD-II Power Cable without selector switches

 

Echomaster OBD-II Power Cable

This cable does not support hybrid, electric, or stop-and-start vehicles. Contact THINKWARE support to check compatibility with your vehicle.

1. Check the IGN-3F module indicator: it should stay solid with the ignition ON and flash slowly with the ignition OFF.

2. If you have a power connection issue, disconnect and reconnect the OBD-II Power Cable three times to reset the connection.

 

iVolt External Battery Pack (BAB-95 / BAB-50)

1. Verify that the output cable Red ACC wire is spliced securely to the dash cam hardwire harness Red ACC wire.

2. Check the input connection for your battery model:

BAB-50: Have the installer verify that the input cable is connected to an ACC power source.

BAB-95: Have the installer verify the B+ power input and the separate ACC IN connection against the installation guide.

For detailed iVolt installation instructions, see How to power your dash cam (iVolt Mini Battery Pack) or How to power your dash cam (iVolt Xtra Battery Pack).

 

Verify Parking Mode Waiting Time and Off Timer Settings

1. Open the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app > [Dash Cam Settings] > [Record Settings].

2. Select [Parking Mode Waiting Time] and set the delay timer (options range from 30 sec to 5 min).

THINKWARE app showing Parking Mode Waiting Time choices from 30 seconds to 5 minutes

3. Select [Off Timer]. Available options are [Disabled], 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours. Power cuts off when the voltage or time limit is reached first. When using an iVolt battery, select [Disabled].

Off Timer setting showing Disabled and the available hour options

 

None of the above worked

If Parking Mode still does not work after checking app settings, ACC/constant fuse connections, voltage thresholds, and battery health, contact THINKWARE support.

Please refer to About THINKWARE's warranty policy for warranty requests or technical evaluation.

 

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

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