How to Fix Pixelated Video on Your Canary Camera
A security camera is only as good as the video it produces. When your Canary camera's video feed is pixelated, blurry, or grainy, it becomes difficult to see important details, defeating its purpose. Poor video quality can be frustrating, especially when you need to identify a person or see what's happening clearly.
The good news is that pixelated video is almost always caused by a network issue rather than a faulty camera. This guide will help you understand the root causes of poor video quality and provide you with effective troubleshooting steps to restore a crisp, clear picture on your Canary camera.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
You might be experiencing a range of issues that fall under the umbrella of 'pixelated video':
- Blocky or 'Minecraft-like' Video: The image is made up of large, chunky squares of colour.
- Blurry or Soft Focus: The entire image is out of focus and lacks sharp detail.
- Grainy Footage: The video, especially in low light, is covered in a layer of 'snow' or static.
- Constant Buffering or Lagging: The video stream frequently freezes and stutters.
- Low-Resolution Stream: The image looks like a low-quality video from the early 2000s, lacking definition.
- Colour Distortion: The colours in the video feed are incorrect or appear washed out.
Troubleshooting Canary Pixelated Video: Step-by-Step
Let's diagnose and fix the problem. The key is almost always your internet connection.
1. Check Your Internet Speed and Wi-Fi Signal
Your Canary camera needs to upload video data to the cloud in real-time. This requires a stable and reasonably fast internet connection.
- Required Speed: Canary recommends a minimum upload speed of 1-2 Mbps per camera. If you have multiple cameras streaming simultaneously, you need more upload bandwidth.
- Run a Speed Test: Use a website like Speedtest.net or an app on your phone to check your internet speed. Crucially, run this test while connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Canary and standing near the camera's location. Pay close attention to the upload speed.
- Check Signal Strength: Look at the Wi-Fi icon on your phone when standing next to the camera. Is it full, or is it weak? A weak signal (one or two bars) will lead to data loss and pixelation.
2. Improve Your Wi-Fi Environment
If your speed is adequate but the signal is weak at the camera's location, you need to improve your Wi-Fi coverage.
- Move the Router Closer: If possible, move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location in your home, or move the Canary camera closer to the router.
- Eliminate Obstructions: Wi-Fi signals are weakened by physical barriers. Thick walls (especially concrete or brick), large metal objects (like refrigerators), and even water (like in an aquarium) between the router and the camera can degrade the signal.
- Reduce Interference: Other electronic devices can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. These include microwave ovens, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and even your neighbours' Wi-Fi networks. Try changing the channel on your Wi-Fi router to a less congested one (usually 1, 6, or 11).
3. Reboot Your Network and Camera
A simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches that cause poor performance.
- Unplug your Canary camera.
- Unplug your modem and your Wi-Fi router from their power sources.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in first. Wait for all its lights to become stable (usually 2-3 minutes).
- Plug the Wi-Fi router back in. Wait for its lights to become stable (another 2-3 minutes).
- Finally, plug your Canary camera back in. Give it a few minutes to reconnect and then check the video stream.
4. Check the Canary App and Service Status
Sometimes, the issue might not be on your end.
- Restart the App: Completely close the Canary app on your smartphone and then reopen it. This can clear caching issues that might affect streaming quality.
- Check Canary's Service Status: Visit the official Canary status page or their social media channels to see if they are experiencing any service outages or known issues that could be affecting video quality for all users.
Could It Be a Hardware Fault?
While most pixelation issues are network-related, a persistent problem that is not resolved by any of the steps above could, in rare cases, point to a fault with the camera's image sensor or lens. If you have a very strong Wi-Fi signal next to the camera and a high upload speed, but the video remains poor, it would be wise to contact Canary support for further diagnostics.