Ezviz Camera Not Seeing in the Dark? A Troubleshooting Guide
When your Ezviz camera's night vision stops working, you're left with a security blind spot. A clear image in low light is essential for any surveillance system. Whether your video feed is pitch black, foggy, or stuck in colour mode, this guide will provide you with the solutions you need to restore your camera's night-time vision.
Most night vision issues can be resolved with some simple checks and adjustments, getting your 24/7 security back on track in no time.
## Essential Checks for Night Vision Issues
Start with these fundamental steps, as they address the most common causes of night vision failure.
### 1. Verify Night Vision Settings in the Ezviz App
It's possible the feature has been accidentally disabled.
- Open the Ezviz app on your phone.
- Select the camera you're having trouble with.
- Tap the gear icon to open the device settings.
- Look for a setting called 'IR Light' or 'Night Vision Mode'.
- Ensure this is set to 'Auto'. This allows the camera to switch on the infrared LEDs automatically when it gets dark. If it is set to 'Off', the night vision will never activate.
### 2. Clean the Camera Lens and IR Cover
This is a very common and often overlooked cause of poor night vision. Over time, the camera's lens cover can accumulate a fine layer of dust, dirt, pollen, or water spots. This film can block the IR light or cause it to reflect back, resulting in a blurry, hazy, or foggy image.
- Take a clean, dry microfibre cloth.
- Gently but thoroughly wipe the entire front face of the camera. Pay close attention to the lens and the dark plastic cover that conceals the IR LEDs.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners or paper towels, as these can scratch the plastic.
### 3. Power Cycle the Camera
A simple restart can often clear up internal software glitches that may be preventing the night vision from activating correctly.
- Unplug the camera's power adapter from the wall socket.
- Wait for 30-60 seconds.
- Plug the power adapter back in.
- Give the camera a few minutes to fully reboot and connect to your network.
- Test the camera in a dark environment to see if the issue is resolved. The IR LEDs should emit a faint red glow when active.
## Environmental and Placement Problems
If the basic checks don't work, the issue may be related to where your camera is placed.
### 4. Check for External Light Sources
Your Ezviz camera uses a light sensor to know when to switch into night vision mode. A bright, nearby light can trick this sensor into thinking it's still daytime.
- Look for any security lights, porch lights, or even bright streetlights that are shining directly at or near the camera.
- Temporarily cover the light source at night to see if the camera's IR lights turn on.
- If a light source is the culprit, you will need to either reposition the camera or find a way to shield its light sensor from the offending light.
### 5. Avoid IR Reflection (The 'White-Out' Effect)
If your night vision image is extremely bright, hazy, or has a ghostly white circle, you are experiencing IR reflection. This happens when the camera's own infrared light bounces off a nearby object and glares into the lens.
- Looking Through Glass: You cannot use IR night vision to look through a window. The glass will reflect the IR light, blinding the camera.
- Proximity to Surfaces: Is the camera installed right under a soffit, eave, or next to a wall? If it's too close, the surface will reflect the IR light. Try angling the camera away or moving it to a location with more clearance.
- Obstructions: Make sure the camera's sun shield hasn't slipped down and is not partially covering the lens or IR LEDs.
## Final Steps
If you're still in the dark after trying the steps above:
- Check for Firmware Updates: Open the Ezviz app and check in the camera's settings if a firmware update is available. Manufacturers often release updates to fix bugs.
- Factory Reset: As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset on the camera using the physical reset button. Note that this will erase all your settings, and you will need to set up the camera on your account again.
If the night vision still fails to work after a reset, it may indicate a hardware failure with the IR LEDs, in which case you should contact Ezviz customer support.