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

— asked by Riley

Quick answer: 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.

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.

How to Fix It

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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