VMB4000r3 will not format USB

[Kevlee83]

My Arlo base (VMB4000r3) won’t format USB. Prior to the firmware update that forced us to increase the size of the local USB storage I had no issue. Then I recently decided to finally upgrade my USB to 256 SanDisk and the base unit recognizes it’s a SanDisk but will not format it for use. I’m able to format it via windows. When I plug in different USB’s into the unit it can recognize the label i.e. PNY or SanDisk, but it’s not able to properly format anything. Anyone know of a fix?

I’m running 1.21.1.0_4302 firmware.

[StephenB]

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@Kevlee83 wrote:

When I plug in different USB’s into the unit it can recognize the label i.e. PNY or SanDisk, but it’s not able to properly format anything. Anyone know of a fix?

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You are saying that it won't format any USB drive?  All the ones you tried are at least 16 GB?

Have you tried restarting the base?

A factory reset might also be worth a try - if you want to try that, remove the cameras from the account first.

[Kevlee83]

Hi StephenB,

The base cannot format any USB drive in either port 1 or port 2. I am trying on a 64gb PNY and a 256gb SanDisk.

And now I have tried restarting the base. I have also tried a factory reset, I removed all cameras, removed the base, restarted and set it up on a new name. When I set it up again it check that the firmware was up to date. Tried both ports and still not able to format either USB with the base. I am able to read and write files and format both drives on my PC and Macs.

[jguerdat]

Using a computer, check the drive to see how many partitions are on it. If more than one, remove them all. The base should then be able to properly format it. You can use a computer to format it but, because it needs to be FAT32, you will need a 3rd party program to use that format. exFAT, etc. won't work.

[Kevlee83]

Hi,

I have already done what you are suggesting. There are no partitions and I used windows cmd prompt not windows explorer to format the drives to FAT32.

[jguerdat]

While taht should work fine, it may also be useful to try one of the free FAT32 formatting programs to see if that makes any difference. Of course, it could be some sort of problem with the base which may or may not be solved by removing it from your account (and all devices connected to it ) and setting up the system again. Brute force, yes, but sometimes it's needed.

[Kevlee83]

Hi,

For clarification. When you say removing it and setting it up again, is that different from what I tried already from the last guru suggestion where I removed it using the app and re-set it up again under. When I set it up again it checked the current firmware, and up the base under with a new device name. Please clarify when you say brute force how is this different b/c it’s a lot of work to remove all devices and set it up again as I already have once?

I used cmd prompt to reformat to FAT32 but open to any suggestions that you know of for free software known to be successful. I’d also be interested on any known pieces of USB hardware you can recommend b/c I’m getting pretty exhausted by all of this.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@jguerdat wrote:

While that should work fine, it may also be useful to try one of the free FAT32 formatting programs to see if that makes any difference. 

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It shouldn't.  Still it is easy to try.  The free version of EaseUS Partition Manager is one of several options.

• https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager/epm-free.html

FWIW, I suspect the USB port on the VMB4000 has failed.

@Kevlee83 wrote:

For clarification. When you say removing it and setting it up again, is that different from what I tried already from the last guru suggestion where I removed it using the app and re-set it up again under. When I set it up again it checked the current firmware, and up the base under with a new device name. Please clarify when you say brute force how is this different b/c it’s a lot of work to remove all devices and set it up again as I already have once?

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It's the same procedure.  Though I generally recommend using the hardware reset after you remove the base in the app (using a paper clip to reset the base).

[Kevlee83]

Hi,

I think it’s finally resolved, but I’m not sure which action resulted in the fix. I reformatted the drive, did a reset, and, although it wasn’t recommended, I left the base unplugged for most of the day.

I replugged it in and set up the base all over again and added a camera and it was able to record locally.

Thanks so much for all the support.