August Doorbell Blurry Footage? Fix It in Minutes

August Doorbell Blurry Footage? Fix It in Minutes

If your August camera is showing blurry or pixelated video, This affects many camera owners. This guide will help you resolve the issue quickly by addressing common causes like weak Wi-Fi signals, outdated firmware, or lens obstructions. Follow these steps to restore clear footage and ensure your camera functions optimally.

Fast August Fixes to Start With

For immediate results, try these 30-second checks that address the most common causes of poor video quality:

• Power cycle your camera: Unplug the transformer (for wired models) or remove the battery (for August View) for 30 seconds, then reconnect. This resets the device’s internal state and can resolve temporary glitches.
• Restart the August App: Close the app completely and reopen it. This clears any corrupted data in the app’s cache that might be affecting video transmission.
• Check the LED status: A solid green light indicates a stable connection. If the light is blinking rapidly or red, your camera may be struggling to maintain a Wi-Fi link.
• Verify power cable/battery: Ensure the power cable is securely connected or the battery is fully charged (minimum 80% for August View). Low power can cause the camera to enter a low-power mode, degrading video quality.
• Check app login: Log out of your August account and log back in. This resolves authentication issues that might interfere with video streaming.

Check Your August Camera's Wi-Fi Band Settings

Poor video quality often stems from weak or unstable Wi-Fi signals. August cameras only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), so ensure your camera is connected to the correct network band:

Is your camera battery-powered or wired?

• Battery-powered → In the August App, go to Device Health → Wi-Fi Signal Check. If the signal strength is below 20%, consider relocating your router or using a Wi-Fi extender.
• Wired → Check the transformer voltage at the junction box. It must supply 16-24V AC. Low voltage can cause intermittent connectivity issues.

Adjust Wi-Fi settings

1. Open the August App and select your camera.
2. Navigate to Wi-Fi Settings → Advanced Network Options.
3. Ensure your camera is connected to a 2.4GHz network. Avoid 5GHz bands, as they are incompatible with August devices.
4. Save changes and wait for the camera to reconnect.

Update Your August Camera Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause video compression errors or bandwidth misconfiguration. Follow these steps to ensure your camera is running the latest software:

For August View (battery-powered)

1. Open the August App and select your camera.
2. Go to Firmware Update in the menu.
3. If an update is available, tap Update Now and wait for the process to complete. Do not interrupt the update.

For August Doorbell Cam Pro (wired)

1. In the August App, select your camera and go to Device Health → Firmware Update.
2. If an update is available, confirm and proceed. The camera will reboot automatically after installation.

Check for Lens Obstructions and Clean the Lens

A dirty or smudged lens can cause blurry footage. Follow these steps to ensure the lens is clear:

Clean the lens

1. Power off the camera (or remove the battery for August View).
2. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens in circular motions. Avoid using abrasive materials or liquids.
3. Reassemble the camera and power it back on.

Check for condensation

If your camera is installed in a humid area, condensation inside the lens can degrade image quality. Ensure the camera is placed in a well-ventilated location. If condensation is present, contact August support for further guidance.

Re-pair Your August Camera

If the above steps fail, re-pairing the camera can resolve persistent connectivity or configuration issues:

For August View (battery-powered)

1. Hold the RESET button on the back of the unit for 5 seconds until the LED resets.
2. Open the August App and go to Devices → Add Device.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to re-pair the camera. Ensure your Wi-Fi network is selected and the signal strength is sufficient (at least 20%).

For August Doorbell Cam Pro (wired)

1. Hold the RESET button for 5 seconds to restore factory defaults.
2. Re-pair via the August App as described above.

Advanced August Poor Troubleshooting Techniques

If your camera continues to show poor video quality after basic troubleshooting, consider these advanced steps:

Analyze diagnostic logs

1. In the August App, go to Device Health → Diagnostic Logs.
2. Review any error messages related to bandwidth, resolution, or compression. These logs can identify specific issues like overloading the network or incorrect video settings.

Contact August support

If the problem persists, visit support.august.com for further assistance. Provide the diagnostic logs and details about your setup (e.g. router model, Wi-Fi signal strength, and camera model).

What Causes This August Poor Issue

Poor video quality on August cameras is often linked to Wi-Fi signal degradation, outdated firmware, or physical obstructions. UK-specific challenges like solid brick walls, double glazing, and foil insulation can severely weaken Wi-Fi signals. Additionally, low battery levels on battery-powered models or incompatible Wi-Fi bands (e.g. 5GHz) can contribute to the issue. These factors are not unique to August but are addressed through the brand’s tailored diagnostics and firmware updates.

Maintaining Your August Poor System Long-Term

To avoid recurring poor video quality, follow these best practices:

• Regularly clean the lens using a microfiber cloth to prevent smudges or condensation.
• Monitor battery health via the August App’s Battery Health Monitor. Replace batteries if the capacity drops below 80%.
• Check Wi-Fi signal strength monthly using the Device Health → Wi-Fi Signal Check feature.
• Update firmware as soon as new versions are released to ensure optimal performance.

Full disclosure: we built scOS to address exactly this—the frustration of cameras that depend on Wi-Fi to function reliably in UK homes with challenging construction. scOS uses permanently powered cameras connected via Ethernet, eliminating signal degradation from building materials.

When to Replace Your August Poor Device

If your August camera consistently shows poor video quality despite following all troubleshooting steps, it may be time to consider replacement. Most August cameras last 3-5 years for battery-powered models and 5-8 years for wired models. Signs that replacement is needed include:

• A camera that fails to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection even after re-pairing.
• Persistent blurry footage despite cleaning the lens and updating firmware.
• A camera that no longer responds to reset procedures or firmware updates.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, UK consumers have up to 6 years to claim faulty goods. If your camera is under warranty, contact August support for a replacement or repair. For out-of-warranty devices, consider professional installation or upgrading to a wired model for better reliability.