my camera's night vision is terrible, everything is just dark shadows or the image is all washed out bright.

— asked by Sam

Quick answer: This is usually caused by the camera's IR LEDs reflecting off of something too close. The Outdoor Camera Pro has a ring of IR lights around the lens for night vision.

Diagnosis

This is usually caused by the camera's IR LEDs reflecting off of something too close. The Outdoor Camera Pro has a ring of IR lights around the lens for night vision. If it's mounted under an eave, too close to a wall, or pointing at a window, the light bounces back and blinds the sensor or creates a hot spot.

How to Fix It

First, check the camera's field of view for 'IR reflectors'. Look at the live view in the app at night. Are there surfaces within 1-2 feet of the lens? Things like siding, a downspout, a light-colored wall, or a window? You need to adjust the mount. Loosen the ball joint and angle the camera so its lens is pointing further away from any nearby surfaces. Even a slight change can make a huge difference.

If That Didn't Work

The issue might be a dirty lens that's scattering the IR light. During the day, power down the camera and use a soft microfiber cloth (like for glasses) with a tiny bit of lens cleaner or just your breath to gently clean the outer dome. Don't use window cleaner or paper towels, as they can leave residues or scratches that make IR glare worse.

Heads Up

Also, make sure you don't have any other IR light sources (like another security camera) pointing at it. Two sets of IR LEDs can 'fight' each other and cause weird exposure issues. Your camera's IR should be the only source illuminating its own field of view.

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