Is Your August Doorbell's Video Quality Disappointing?
Your August Doorbell Camera is your eye on your front door, providing security and convenience. You expect a sharp, clear image that allows you to easily recognise faces and see packages. It's incredibly frustrating when the video feed is instead blurry, pixelated, or grainy, making it difficult to see what's happening. Poor video quality undermines the core purpose of having a video doorbell.
We understand that you need a reliable, high-quality video stream. This professional guide will walk you through the common causes of poor video quality and provide clear, actionable steps to help you troubleshoot and improve the picture from your August Doorbell Camera.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
First, let's identify the specific problem you are seeing on your screen.
- Pixelated or Blocky Video: The image is made up of noticeable squares, and fine details are lost. This is a classic sign of high video compression.
- Blurry or Soft Image: The video is not sharp, and faces or objects are out of focus.
- Grainy Video (especially at night): The image is covered in a static-like pattern or 'noise,' which is most common in low-light conditions.
- Constant Freezing or Stuttering: The video pauses and skips, rather than playing as a smooth, fluid stream.
- Washed-Out or Overexposed Video: The image is too bright, particularly during the day, making it hard to see details in sunny areas.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Video Quality
Most video quality issues are related to Wi-Fi, power, or simple physical obstructions. Let's work through the fixes.
1. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection at the Doorbell
This is the number one cause of poor video quality. A weak Wi-Fi signal forces the doorbell to compress the video file heavily to be able to send it, resulting in a pixelated image.
- Open the August app and navigate to your doorbell camera's settings.
- Find the 'Network' or 'Device Health' section.
- Check the reported Wi-Fi Signal Strength. For a clear video stream, this needs to be rated as 'Good' or 'Strong'.
- If the signal is 'Weak' or 'Poor,' you have found the likely culprit.
How to Fix a Weak Wi-Fi Signal:
- Move your Wi-Fi router closer to the front door.
- If you can't move the router, install a Wi-Fi extender or chime connector that also acts as a Wi-Fi bridge, placing it halfway between the router and the doorbell.
- Ensure your router is not placed inside a cabinet or behind other large electronic devices.
2. Clean the Camera Lens
An often-overlooked solution is a simple cleaning. The lens is exposed to weather, dust, and fingerprints, which can cause a blurry or hazy image.
- Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth (the kind used for cleaning eyeglasses or phone screens).
- Gently wipe the camera lens to remove any smudges, water spots, or dirt.
- Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive paper towels, as these can scratch and permanently damage the lens.
3. Check Your Power and Wiring
August doorbells need a consistent level of power from your existing doorbell wiring to operate correctly. Insufficient power can sometimes lead to performance issues, including poor video quality.
- Ensure your doorbell transformer meets the voltage requirements specified in the August installation manual (typically 16-24V AC).
- If you have an older home, your transformer might be underpowered. You may need an electrician to install a more powerful one.
- Check that the wiring connections on the back of the doorbell and at your internal chime are secure.
4. Optimise Lighting Conditions
Lighting has a significant impact on any camera's performance.
- At Night: The grainy image you see is the camera's night vision working. This is normal, but its clarity depends on the amount of available ambient light. A well-lit porch area will result in a clearer night vision image. Ensure your porch light is on and working.
- During the Day: Strong sunlight or glare shining directly into the lens can cause the image to look washed out. If this is a problem, you might consider a small, third-party anti-glare hood or shroud designed for video doorbells.
5. Reboot Your Doorbell and Router
A simple reboot can sometimes clear up temporary glitches.
- Unplug your main Wi-Fi router from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.
- To reboot the doorbell, you'll need to turn off the power to it from your home's circuit breaker.
- Find the breaker that controls your doorbell, switch it off for a minute, and then switch it back on. This will force the doorbell to restart and reconnect.
By systematically addressing these potential issues, you can significantly improve the video quality of your August Doorbell Camera and restore the clear picture you need for your home's security.