the infrared night vision on my doorbell 4 makes everything look all white and washed out, faces are just blobs

— asked by Riley

DIAGNOSIS The IR LEDs are reflecting off a surface too close to the lens, causing a "bloom" or "whiteout" effect. This happens if it's installed too close to a door frame, siding, or a wall that's light-colored or glossy.

FIX You need to create more space between the lens and any nearby surface. The included wedge kit or corner kit isn't just for angle; it's for clearance. Attach a wedge (the small, angled plate) to move the doorbell body outward from the wall by a half-inch or more. This changes the angle of the IR bounce.

IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If you're already using a wedge, the issue might be a dirty lens or IR cover. Gently wipe the curved plastic lens cover and the small black IR window next to it with a microfiber cloth. Built-up grime can diffuse the light.

HEADS UP The Night Vision setting in the app is set to "Auto" by default. You can manually set it to "Off" if you have a porch light, but leaving it on Auto with a bright external light can sometimes confuse the sensor and contribute to the washout.

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