Is Your Geeni Camera's Night Vision Blurry? Here's How to Fix It
A security camera's primary purpose is to provide a clear view of your property, especially at night. When your Geeni camera's night vision becomes blurry, foggy, or generally unclear, it compromises your home's security. This issue is often caused by simple, fixable problems. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to diagnose and resolve the causes of poor night vision quality, restoring that crystal-clear image you rely on.
### Understanding Geeni Night Vision
Your Geeni camera uses infrared (IR) technology to see in the dark. Small LEDs around the camera lens emit infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye but visible to the camera's sensor. This allows the camera to produce a black and white image even in complete darkness. When this image is blurry, it's usually due to an issue with the light being emitted or reflected.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Blurry Geeni Night Vision
Follow these steps in order to identify and fix the root cause of your blurry night vision problem.
1. Clean the Camera Lens
This is the most common cause of blurry or hazy images. Over time, the camera lens can accumulate dust, dirt, pollen, or water spots. While these might be unnoticeable during the day, they can cause significant glare at night when the IR light reflects off them.
- How to clean:
- Power down your camera for safety.
- Use a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth.
- Gently wipe the lens in a circular motion.
- For stubborn grime, you can slightly dampen the cloth with a small amount of water or a dedicated lens cleaning solution. Never spray liquid directly onto the camera.
- Ensure the lens is completely dry before powering the camera back on.
2. Check for and Remove Obstructions
Ensure there's nothing directly in front of the camera that could be interfering with its view. This includes things like a spiderweb, a stray tree branch, or even holiday decorations. These objects can catch the IR light and create a blurry or washed-out spot in your video feed.
3. Eliminate IR Glare and Reflections
Infrared light can reflect off nearby surfaces, bouncing back into the lens and causing a foggy or bright, washed-out image. This is a very common issue for cameras mounted under eaves, soffits, or looking through a window.
- Check your positioning:
- If your camera is mounted under an eave or ceiling, ensure the surface isn't too close to the lens.
- Pull back any protective sunshields that might be too far forward.
- Crucially, do not point your Geeni camera through a window to monitor the outdoors at night. The IR light will reflect off the glass, resulting in a completely unusable, bright white image. You must mount the camera outside for effective night vision.
4. Verify Power Supply
The IR LEDs require sufficient power to function correctly. If the camera isn't receiving enough power, the night vision may be weak, resulting in a dark or grainy image.
- Check the power cable: Ensure it is securely plugged in at both ends.
- Inspect the cable: Look for any signs of damage, kinks, or fraying.
- Use the original adapter: Always use the power adapter that came with your Geeni camera, as a third-party adapter may not provide the correct voltage.
5. Update Your Firmware and App
Geeni regularly releases firmware updates for its cameras and updates for the Geeni mobile app. These updates can include bug fixes and performance improvements that may address issues with night vision quality.
- To update firmware: Open the Geeni app, select your camera, go to 'Settings', and look for a 'Firmware Update' or 'Device Info' section.
- To update the app: Visit the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) to check for the latest version of the Geeni app.
6. Perform a Factory Reset
If all the above steps fail, you can perform a factory reset as a last resort. This will return the camera to its original settings, and you will need to set it up again from scratch.
- How to reset: There is typically a small, recessed reset button on the camera. You may need a paperclip or the included reset pin to press and hold it for 5-10 seconds until the camera chimes or the status light changes. Please consult your specific model's manual for exact instructions.
If the night vision remains blurry after a factory reset, this could indicate a more serious hardware issue. In this case, it's best to contact Geeni's official customer support for further assistance or to discuss warranty options.