Aqara Camera Night Vision Not Working? Here's the Fix
The ability to see clearly in the dark is a critical feature of any modern security camera. Aqara cameras are known for their excellent smart home integrations and clear video quality, but if the night vision feature fails, your security is significantly compromised after sunset. Whether your camera's nighttime view is completely black, blurry, or simply not switching on, this guide will help you diagnose and solve the problem.
Most night vision issues are not due to a faulty camera but are often caused by simple configuration errors, environmental factors, or power-related problems. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can likely restore your camera's ability to see in the dark.
Why Your Aqara Night Vision Might Be Failing
Aqara cameras use infrared (IR) LEDs to illuminate the area in front of them. This light is invisible to the human eye but allows the camera sensor to produce a clear black and white image in complete darkness. When this process fails, it's usually for one of these reasons:
Incorrect Settings in the Aqara Home App
The most common issue is that the night vision mode has been accidentally turned off. The setting is typically on 'Auto' by default, which allows the camera's ambient light sensor to activate it automatically, but this can be manually overridden.
IR Glare from Reflections
If the night vision image appears foggy, hazy, or has a bright white glare, it's likely due to IR reflection. This happens when the camera's own infrared light bounces off a nearby object, like a window pane, a wall, or even a window sill, and shines directly back into the lens.
Insufficient Power Supply
The IR LEDs require a significant amount of power to operate. If the USB power adapter or cable is faulty or not providing enough amperage, the camera might work during the day but lack the necessary power to activate the night vision LEDs.
Physical Obstructions or Dirty Lens
A smudged or dirty camera lens can diffuse the IR light, leading to a blurry image. Similarly, a protective film left on the lens from shipping will cause major glare issues at night.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Aqara Night Vision
Let's get your night vision working again. Follow these steps in order.
1. Check the Night Vision Settings
This should always be your first check.
- Open the Aqara Home app and select the camera you are having issues with.
- Go to the camera's Settings (often represented by three dots).
- Find the Video Settings or Display Settings menu.
- Locate the Night Vision Mode setting. Ensure it is set to 'Auto'. If it's set to 'Off' or 'Day Mode', the IR lights will never activate.
2. Clean the Camera Lens and Check IR LEDs
- Use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera's lens and the black area surrounding it. Ensure you have removed the protective plastic film if the camera is new.
- Go into a dark room with the camera. The small red IR LEDs around the lens should emit a faint, visible red glow. If you see no glow at all, the issue is likely related to power or a hardware fault.
3. Reposition the Camera to Avoid IR Glare
This is the key to fixing blurry or washed-out images.
- If pointing through a window: You cannot have the night vision on when the camera is looking through glass. The IR light will reflect off the glass and blind the camera. You must either turn night vision off or place the camera outside the window.
- Check for nearby surfaces: Ensure there isn't a wall, shelf, or other object right next to the camera that the IR light can bounce off. Try angling the camera slightly away from any close-by surfaces.
4. Test the Power Supply
Rule out power issues by swapping the components.
- Use a different USB power adapter with the same or higher power rating.
- Try a different, known-good USB cable.
- A faulty power supply is a common but often overlooked cause of night vision failure.
5. Update and Reboot
Software glitches can sometimes be the cause.
- Update Firmware: In the Aqara Home app, go to the camera's settings and check for any available firmware updates.
- Reboot the Camera: Unplug the camera from power, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This simple restart can often resolve temporary issues.