A recording apparatus includes a conveying unit, recording processing unit, recording detection unit provided downstream of the recording processing unit to check plural maintenance patterns recorded on a continuous sheet, cutter unit, plural discharge units to selectively receive cut sheets, discharge unit changeover unit to select one discharge unit to receive a cut sheet, conveyance failure detection unit, and control unit. The control unit controls the discharge unit changeover unit such that, when a continuous sheet conveyance failure is detected upstream of a position where the cutter is, and a maintenance pattern previously checked is present downstream of the cutter when the conveyance failure is detected, a present sheet unit between the maintenance pattern and the cutter position is discharged to a second discharge unit. The second discharge unit is different from a first discharge unit used for a sheet unit other than the present sheet unit.