How to Fix Scout Camera Poor Quality Video & Streaming

Is Your Scout Camera's Video Quality Disappointing?

You count on your Scout security camera to provide a clear view of your property. When the live stream is blurry, the recordings are pixelated, or the video constantly freezes, it undermines the very purpose of having a camera. Poor video quality can make it impossible to identify faces or read number plates, rendering the footage useless in an emergency.

Fortunately, most video quality issues are not due to a faulty camera but are related to its connection and settings. This guide will help you diagnose the problem and take the right steps to achieve the crisp, clear video you expect.

Key Factors Affecting Scout Video Quality

Understanding the "why" behind poor quality is the first step to fixing it. The clarity of your video stream is a balance of several factors:

• Wi-Fi Signal Strength: This is the most common culprit. A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal at the camera's location is the number one cause of pixelation and lag.
• Internet Upload Speed: Your internet plan's upload speed determines how much data the camera can send to the cloud. Low upload speed will force the camera to reduce its quality.
• In-App Settings: The video quality may be manually set to a low resolution within the Scout app.
• Lens Condition: A dirty, smudged, or scratched lens will directly impact image clarity.
• Distance and Obstructions: Physical barriers like thick walls, metal objects, or large appliances between your router and the camera can degrade the Wi-Fi signal.

Troubleshooting Steps for Better Camera Quality

Follow these steps to systematically improve your camera's performance.

1. Check Your Internet Speed and Wi-Fi Signal

First, let's verify the network.

• Test Your Speed: Use a speed testing website or app on your smartphone while standing right next to your camera. Pay close attention to the upload speed. Most HD cameras require at least 2-4 Mbps of sustained upload speed per camera.
• Check Wi-Fi Signal: In the Scout app, there should be a device status or settings page that shows the Wi-Fi signal strength for your camera. If it's low (e.g., one or two bars), this is likely your problem.
• Move the Router: If possible, try moving your Wi-Fi router to a more central location or closer to the camera to improve the signal.

2. Adjust Video Quality Settings in the Scout App

You might be able to trade resolution for smoothness.

1. Open the Scout app and select the camera you want to adjust.
2. Go into the camera's Settings.
3. Look for a Video Quality or Streaming Quality option.
4. If it's set to High or HD and the stream is lagging, try changing it to Standard (SD) or Auto. The 'Auto' setting is often best, as it allows the camera to adjust quality based on the current network conditions.

3. Clean the Camera Lens

This simple physical check is often overlooked.

• Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth (the kind used for cleaning eyeglasses) to gently wipe the camera lens.
• Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive paper towels, as these can damage the lens coating.
• Check for any protective plastic film that may have been left on the lens from shipping.

4. Power Cycle Your Camera and Router

A classic "turn it off and on again" can resolve many temporary glitches.

1. Unplug your Scout camera from its power source.
2. Unplug your internet router and modem from power.
3. Wait for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the modem back in first and wait for it to fully boot up.
5. Plug the router back in and wait for it to establish an internet connection.
6. Finally, plug your Scout camera back in and allow it to reconnect.

This process, known as a power cycle, can clear up network conflicts and improve performance.