About This Guide
Your August camera's night vision failing while daytime video works normally is a common but solvable issue. This can occur due to IR LED hardware faults, incorrect night vision settings, or environmental factors like reflective surfaces. The good news is that August provides specific tools within the August App to diagnose and resolve these problems. By following brand-specific steps such as checking Device Health, adjusting Night Vision Mode, and verifying IR LED Status, you can restore functionality without needing to contact support immediately. This guide will walk you through the most effective solutions tailored to your August device.
First Steps for Your August Issue
Before diving into complex diagnostics, try these fast checks that address the most common causes:
- Power cycle your camera: For August View (battery-powered), remove the battery for 30 seconds and reinsert. For August Doorbell Cam Pro (wired), unplug the transformer for 30 seconds and reconnect.
- Restart the August App: Close the app completely, then reopen it. This clears temporary glitches that may interfere with night vision.
- Check the LED status: In the August App, go to Device Health → look for IR LED Status. A red indicator means the IR LEDs are not functioning.
- Verify power cable/battery: For August View, ensure the battery is fully charged. For August Doorbell Cam Pro, confirm the transformer supplies 16-24V AC at the junction box.
- Check app login: Ensure you're logged into the August App with the correct account. Night vision settings may be disabled if the app is not properly synced.
Working Through Your August Issue
Check Your August Camera's Night Vision Settings
Incorrect settings can prevent night vision from activating. Open the August App → select your camera → navigate to Camera Settings → locate Night Vision Mode. Ensure it's set to Auto (default) or On. If set to Off, the camera will not activate IR LEDs at night. If you're unsure, reset the camera to factory defaults by holding the RESET button on the back of the unit for 5 seconds. This will restore default settings, including night vision mode.
Verify Wi-Fi Band and Signal Strength
August cameras require a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (not 5GHz) for optimal performance. In the August App, go to Device Health → Signal Strength. The signal should be -70dBm or higher. If it's weaker, move your router closer to the camera or reduce obstructions (e.g. thick walls, metal objects). For August View models, ensure you're connected to a 2.4GHz network. If your router supports dual-band, manually switch the camera to 2.4GHz in the app.
Update Your August Camera's Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause night vision malfunctions. In the August App, go to Device Health → check for updates under Firmware Version. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions. For August View models, updates are automatic via Wi-Fi. For August Doorbell Cam Pro models, ensure the camera is connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during the update process. If the camera restarts unexpectedly, it may be due to a failed update—reconnect to Wi-Fi and retry.
Diagnose IR LED Issues
If the IR LED Status in the August App shows a red indicator, the IR LEDs may be malfunctioning. For August View, try the following:
- Inspect the camera's exterior: Ensure no debris is blocking the IR LEDs.
- Test in different lighting conditions: Night vision should activate automatically in low-light environments. If it fails, the IR LEDs may be faulty.
- Submit a diagnostic log: In the August App, go to Device Health → Send Logs to Support. This will help August engineers identify hardware faults.
For August Doorbell Cam Pro models, the IR LEDs are integrated into the housing. If the status is red, contact August support at support.august.com for further assistance.
Re-pair Your August Camera
If the camera is not responding to night vision commands, re-pairing may resolve the issue:
- Unpair the camera: In the August App, go to Device Settings → Unpair Device. Confirm the action.
- Re-pair the camera: Follow the on-screen instructions to re-pair the camera. Ensure it's connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network during this process.
- Verify night vision settings: After re-pairing, check the Night Vision Mode in the app and ensure it's set to Auto or On.
Advanced August Night Vision Troubleshooting Techniques
Submit Diagnostic Logs to August Support
If basic fixes fail, submit a detailed diagnostic log to August engineers. In the August App, go to Device Health → Send Logs to Support. Include the following details:
- Camera model (e.g. August View or August Doorbell Cam Pro)
- Firmware version
- Wi-Fi signal strength
- Night vision mode setting
- IR LED status
- Any error messages
This data helps identify whether the issue is hardware-related (e.g. faulty IR LEDs) or software-related (e.g. firmware bugs).
Contact August Support Directly
If diagnostic logs don't resolve the issue, contact August support at support.august.com. Provide the following information:
- Camera model and serial number (found in the August App under Device Settings)
- Steps you've already tried
- Photos of the camera's exterior and any error messages
- Wi-Fi network details (e.g. router brand and model)
August support engineers can guide you through advanced diagnostics or schedule a replacement if hardware is faulty.
Root Causes of August Night Vision Failure
Night vision failure on August cameras typically stems from one of these causes:
- Faulty IR LEDs: Physical damage or hardware degradation can prevent the IR LEDs from activating.
- Incorrect night vision settings: If the Night Vision Mode is set to Off, the camera will not use IR LEDs at night.
- IR reflection from reflective surfaces: Windows, mirrors, or glossy objects near the camera can cause IR light to bounce back, creating a pink or purple tint on the video feed.
- Weak Wi-Fi signal: A poor connection can prevent the camera from receiving commands to activate night vision.
- Firmware bugs: Outdated firmware may contain bugs that interfere with night vision functionality.
In the UK, construction materials like solid brick walls or double-glazed windows can severely weaken Wi-Fi signals, leading to night vision issues. Ensure your camera is within 15-20m of your router and avoid placing it near metal objects or thick walls.
How to Prevent Future August Issues
Maintain Night Vision Functionality
- Regular firmware updates: Ensure your camera's firmware is up to date by checking the August App → Device Health → Firmware Version.
- Avoid reflective surfaces: Place the camera at least 1.5m away from windows, mirrors, or glossy objects to prevent IR reflection.
- Monitor battery health: For August View models, check Battery Health in the app and recharge fully if the battery is below 20%.
- Use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only: Ensure your camera is connected to a 2.4GHz network (not 5GHz) for optimal performance.
Full disclosure: we built scOS to address exactly this—the frustration of cameras that depend on Wi-Fi to function. scOS uses permanently powered cameras connected via ethernet, eliminating the risk of Wi-Fi signal degradation or firmware bugs.
Is It Time for a August Night Vision Upgrade?
If your August camera's night vision fails despite all troubleshooting steps, consider replacement:
- Battery-powered models (August View): Replace after 3-5 years, as batteries degrade over time. Look for models with surveillance-rated batteries for longer lifespan.
- Wired models (August Doorbell Cam Pro): Replace after 5-8 years, but check for firmware end-of-life (EOL) notices. Older models may no longer receive updates.
- UK consumer rights: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have 6 years (5 years in Scotland) to claim faulty goods. If your camera is under warranty, contact August support for a replacement.
For professional installation, expect £150-£300 per camera for a single unit. Consider budget models like Ring Doorbell (£50-£230) or Eufy cameras (£30-£80) if replacement is needed.