Anran Facial Recognition Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Facial recognition is a key feature of modern Anran security cameras, offering a smarter way to monitor your property and receive relevant alerts. However, when it stops working correctly, it can be a source of frustration. Whether your camera isn't recognising familiar faces or is sending you constant false alerts, this guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve the most common Anran facial recognition issues.
This guide is written in British English and will help you get this intelligent feature working smoothly again.
## Common Symptoms of Facial Recognition Problems
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to identify the specific problem you're facing. Common symptoms include:
- Failure to Recognise: The system doesn't recognise faces that have been previously registered in your database.
- Inaccurate Alerts: You receive notifications for "unrecognised faces" when it's a known person.
- No Detections: The camera fails to detect any faces at all, even though other motion detection is working.
- Poor Low-Light Performance: Facial recognition works during the day but fails in low-light or nighttime conditions.
- App Feature Unavailable: The facial recognition option is greyed out or inaccessible within the Anran mobile app.
## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and fix the problem with your Anran camera's facial recognition.
### 1. Check Camera Placement and Lighting
The most common cause of poor facial recognition performance is suboptimal camera positioning and inadequate lighting.
- Optimal Height: Position your camera at approximately eye level (around 1.5 to 2 metres from the ground). Cameras mounted too high, pointing downwards, will struggle to get a clear, straight-on view of a person's face.
- Good Lighting: Faces must be clearly illuminated to be recognised. Avoid placing the camera where a strong backlight (like the sun) could create a silhouette. For nighttime performance, ensure the area is well-lit, as infrared (IR) night vision alone may not be sufficient for accurate recognition.
- Clean the Lens: A smudged or dirty lens can significantly impair the camera's ability to capture facial details. Gently wipe the lens with a soft, microfibre cloth.
### 2. Review and Optimise Your Facial Database
A well-managed database of faces is crucial for accuracy.
- High-Quality Images: When registering a new face, use a clear, well-lit photo where the person is looking directly at the camera. Avoid blurry images or photos where the face is partially obscured.
- Multiple Angles: For best results, some systems allow you to add multiple photos of the same person from slightly different angles.
- Remove Old Data: Periodically review your database and remove any poor-quality images or entries for people who no longer need to be recognised.
### 3. Update Firmware and App
Anran regularly releases firmware updates for their cameras and updates for their mobile app. These updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements for features like facial recognition.
- Firmware: Open the Anran app, go to your camera's settings, and look for a "Firmware Update" or "Device Version" section. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
- App: Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and check for updates to the Anran app.
### 4. Check Your Network Connection
A stable Wi-Fi connection is necessary for your camera to process facial data and send notifications promptly.
- Signal Strength: In the Anran app, check the Wi-Fi signal strength for your camera. If it's weak, consider moving your router closer to the camera or using a Wi-Fi extender.
- Reboot Your Network: Sometimes, a simple reboot of your router and camera can resolve connectivity glitches that may be affecting performance.
### 5. Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If you have tried all the steps above and the feature is still not working, a factory reset may be required. This will erase all your custom settings, including your Wi-Fi configuration and facial database, and return the camera to its original state.
- How to Reset: Typically, there is a small, recessed reset button on the camera body. You'll need to press and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the camera gives an audible or visual confirmation that it's resetting.
- Re-configure: After the reset, you will need to set up the camera again from scratch in the Anran app, including re-connecting it to your Wi-Fi and re-registering the faces.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to identify and fix the vast majority of issues affecting your Anran camera's facial recognition feature.