Troubleshooting Poor Video Quality on Your August Doorbell Cam
A pixelated, freezing, or lagging video feed from your August Doorbell Cam can be a major security concern. When you need to see who is at your door, clarity is key. This guide focuses on the most common cause of these issues: the wireless connection.
## Understanding the Cause: It's All About Wi-Fi
Your August Doorbell Cam relies entirely on a stable, strong Wi-Fi connection to stream clear video to your phone. Poor video quality is a symptom of a problem with that connection. The problem can be broken down into two main areas:
- Wi-Fi Signal Strength: The strength of the signal reaching your doorbell from your router.
- Internet Upload Speed: The speed at which your home internet can send data to the cloud.
## Step 1: Check Your Internet Upload Speed
People often focus on download speed, but for a camera, upload speed is what matters.
- The Requirement: August recommends a minimum sustained upload speed of 2 Mbps.
- How to Test: Connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network your doorbell uses. Stand near your door and run a speed test using a reliable app or website. Look at the "UPLOAD" result.
- The Fix: If your result is consistently below 2 Mbps, your internet plan may not be sufficient. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to ask about plans with higher upload speeds. Also, be aware that other activities on your network (like streaming movies or online gaming) consume this bandwidth, leaving less for your doorbell.
## Step 2: Analyse Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
This is a measure of how well your router and doorbell are communicating.
- Check in the App: Open the August app, go to your doorbell's settings menu, and look for a Wi-Fi signal indicator. It should show a 'Good' or 'Strong' status. If it says 'Fair' or 'Weak', you've found your problem.
- Physical Barriers: Wi-Fi signals are blocked by dense materials. Consider the path the signal has to take from your router to your front door. It likely has to pass through multiple walls. Common signal blockers include:
- Brick, stone, or concrete walls
- Metal siding or metal doors
- Appliances in the kitchen
- Plaster and lath walls
- How to Improve the Signal:
- Move the Router: The best solution is to move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location, closer to the front door.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you can't move the router, place a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi node halfway between the router and the doorbell. This will pick up the signal and rebroadcast it with renewed strength.
## Step 3: Check Your Doorbell's Power
August Doorbell Cams need consistent power from your existing doorbell wiring.
- Voltage Check: In the August app settings, you can often check the voltage being delivered to the device. Ensure it's within the recommended range for your model.
- Wiring Issues: Inconsistent power due to old or faulty wiring can sometimes cause the doorbell's processor and Wi-Fi chip to underperform, leading to poor video. If you suspect this, you may need to consult with an electrician.
## Step 4: Reboot Everything
A simple reboot can often clear up temporary network glitches.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 5-10 minutes for it to fully restart.
- Reboot Your Doorbell: If possible, trip the circuit breaker that powers your doorbell transformer, wait a minute, and turn it back on.
By focusing on improving your Wi-Fi signal and ensuring sufficient upload speed, you can solve the vast majority of video quality problems with your August Doorbell Cam.