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It can be frustrating when you have a security system installed at your property, but it starts to produce blurry footage. There are several reasons why this can happen, and thankfully, most of them have an easy fix.
Firstly, Ring technology requires a download speed of at least 2 Mbps to work optimally, and it needs to be placed in a position where its connection is unblocked. In addition, dirty lenses, infrared seepage, and excess moisture can also cause blurring issues. Here’s how to fix your doorbell camera for a clear, detailed image.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Ring Doorbell Camera Blurry?
1. Poor Internet Connection
When you notice that the quality of your Ring doorbell camera is slipping, the first thing you should check is that you have a sufficient internet connection.
Quick Fix: Check Your Router’s Position
Position your doorbell as close to the internet source (router) as possible. If you can’t configure your camera close to the router, try temporarily placing the doorbell next to it to see if it produces a clear picture.
If the camera produces a clear image when placed next to the router, then distance could be your problem. Say moving your camera closer to the internet source is an issue; in that instance, you could purchase a booster to place next to your doorbell. This will increase your internet quality while maintaining the current layout of your devices.
Quick Fix: Check Your Internet Speed
If the placement doesn’t reduce the blurriness of your image, check your internet speed. You can do this via the Ring app or take an online test on your web browser. Ring devices need an internet speed of at least 2 Mbps to perform at optimum levels. If your internet is too slow for adequate functionality, try the following steps:
- Restart the router.
- Avoid placing your router in a position where thick walls or metal objects can block its signal.
- Try updating your router to a current model.
- If problems persist, contact your internet provider.
2. Dirty Camera Lens
A dirty camera lens can cause your Ring doorbell footage to appear blurry thanks to fingerprints, smudges, or dirt collected on the lens.
If this is a problem during the day, it’s likely to worsen in the evening as the camera has to work even harder, and the infrared light will bounce back from dirt and debris, causing your image to look more blurry.
Quick Fix: Keep The Lens Clean
Clean your camera lens regularly to prevent dust and debris build-ups that could cause your images to blur. Microfiber clothes – like eyeglass cleaners – are perfect because they clean dirt and oil from your lens without scratching.
3. Use HDR To Improve Video Footage
HDR – or High Dynamic Range – can be a great way to improve the quality of your Ring doorbell camera footage during the daytime. This technique lets your camera capture multiple videos from different light exposures simultaneously. This footage is then combined to provide you with a clearer overall picture.
This is a great way to provide additional clarity and detail to daytime footage, but the function will automatically disengage in the evening as not enough light is present.
Why Is My Ring Doorbell Camera Blurry At Night Time?
Ring offers an excellent security system to provide peace of mind and help you feel safe. But even when your daytime footage is clear, you’ll sometimes find that nighttime can become a little blurry. Here’s why –
There Are Issues With Infrared LEDs
During the daytime, your doorbell camera uses visible light that it captures through its lens to create a digital copy of the images it captures. However, in the evening, without sufficient sunlight, your doorbell camera relies on infrared light to provide a clear image. If there is
insufficient infrared light, it could cause the picture to blur.
Additionally, infrared seepage could also make your nighttime doorbell images fuzzy. The rubber gasket surrounding the camera’s lens helps protect the lens from IR seepage. But, if the gasket cracks or wears down, this leakage can cause your footage to become foggy.
Excess Moisture Could Be Blurring Your Image
Once the sun sets for the day, you’ll inevitably notice the temperature drop. When these temperatures approach the dew point, they cause condensation on any available surfaces (this is because cold air is unable to hold the same volume of water vapor as warm air)
How Do I Fix A Blurry Night Time Ring Doorbell Camera?
When you install a security system, you’ll want coverage overnight to help you feel safe while sleeping. The good news is that many of these issues are easily correctable through a series of simple fixes.
1. Check There Is Sufficient Infrared Light
We know your doorbell camera relies on infrared light to power its nighttime imaging, so ensuring it has a ready supply can help provide you with a clear image.
Firstly, check your battery to ensure there is enough power to supply the infrared LEDs. If you already have sufficient battery charge, you could also try supplementing the IR lighting for your camera. You can add an infrared floodlight to help clear the footage produced at nighttime.
Remember, you can also get too much-infrared light, creating a bright white, overexposed image. It’s all about getting the balance right:
- Test different angles to see which provides the best lighting.
- Avoid pointing your lights or camera toward reflective surfaces (this includes dense foliage, as leaves can be highly reflective.)
2. Check For Infrared Seepage
If your Ring doorbell produces blurry footage at night, it could point to an issue with the lens gasket, which is allowing IR light to seep through. There are two main ways to check whether or not this is an issue with your doorbell.
Firstly, swap out the blurry camera for a spare; place it in the same location and see what kind of images it produces. If the images on the second camera are also blurry, there may be a problem with the positioning of your doorbell. But, if the second camera produces a clear image, the issue could be infrared seepage.
If you don’t have a spare camera to test, you could move your original camera to a different location. If the image clears, then your location is most likely the problem. But, if the image clears, the problem could lie with a crack or tear in the rubber gasket.
Inspect the gasket for any signs of damage. If you suspect this to be the issue, you can contact Ring to repair your product or issue a replacement.
3. Remove Moisture Sources
Devices that create excess warm air – such as AC units or dryer vents – can create extra moisture that causes your camera to fog during the evenings. Many of these are large, fixed appliances that you won’t be able to reposition.
Still, you can move your doorbell camera away from these sources to help reduce fogging. Even if your camera manages to absorb the extra water vapor during the day, it could struggle at night because of the temperature drop.
Of course, excess moisture can come from the climate too. If you live in a humid environment, invest in a water repellent to apply to your lens cover. This acts like a thin oil layer to prevent water from attaching itself to the lens’s surface.
Final Thoughts
Many factors can cause your doorbell cam to blur. If you’re having issues during the day, the problem is most likely with your internet connection or doorbell placement. However, if the blurriness occurs during nighttime hours, a problem with the infrared functionality is more likely.
Check your internet speed, keep your camera clean, and regularly check the lens for any dirt or damage. If the problem persists, try contacting Ring tech support for further help and advice.