How to Troubleshoot a Blurry SimpliSafe Camera
A blurry video feed from your SimpliSafe camera can defeat the purpose of having a security system. If you can't make out important details, you're left with an incomplete picture of your home's security. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to help you identify and fix the causes of blurry, pixelated, or out-of-focus video.
Most often, the solution is straightforward, requiring either a simple cleaning or an adjustment to your network. Let's get your camera back to producing a sharp, clear image.
## Start with Physical Checks
Before you look at any settings, it's essential to inspect the camera hardware itself. A physical issue is the most common reason for a blurry picture.
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Clean the Camera Lens: This is the number one cause of blurry video. The lens on your SimpliCam or outdoor camera is exposed to dust, fingerprints, and weather, all of which can create a hazy or smudged image.
- Action: Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lens. Do not use paper towels or abrasive cloths, as they can leave behind fine scratches. For stubborn spots, you can slightly dampen the cloth with water.
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Remove the Protective Shipping Film: When your camera was new, it likely had a small, clear plastic film over the lens. Sometimes this can be missed during installation.
- Action: Carefully examine the lens to make sure this film has been removed. If it's still present, peeling it off will instantly solve your blurriness problem.
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Check for Moisture or Condensation: Particularly with outdoor cameras, changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation to form on or inside the lens, making the image appear foggy.
- Action: If you see fogging, try wiping the outside of the lens. If the moisture is internal, you may need to bring the camera inside to a dry location for several hours to allow it to dry out completely.
## Investigate Network and Connectivity Issues
If the lens is perfectly clean and the image is still not sharp, the problem is most likely related to your Wi-Fi connection.
### The Impact of Wi-Fi on Video Quality
Your SimpliSafe camera requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection to stream high-quality video. When the connection is weak, the camera automatically lowers the video quality to prevent the stream from disconnecting entirely. This process, called compression, reduces the amount of data being sent, but it results in a pixelated or "blocky" image that is often described as blurry.
- Action: Check your camera's connection status. While the SimpliSafe app may not show a signal strength percentage, frequent disconnections or difficulty loading the live stream are clear indicators of a poor signal.
- Solution:
- Move your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera, or vice-versa.
- Remove or reposition any large metal objects or dense obstructions (like refrigerators or concrete walls) between the router and the camera.
- Consider installing a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal in the area where your camera is located.
### Reboot Your Camera and Router
A simple power cycle can often resolve temporary glitches that may be affecting video quality.
- Action: Unplug both your Wi-Fi router and your SimpliSafe camera from their power sources. Wait for at least 60 seconds before plugging them back in. Allow a few minutes for both devices to fully restart and connect before checking the video feed again.
### Solving Blurry Night Vision
If your video is only blurry at night, the problem is almost always caused by the camera's infrared (IR) LEDs.
- Cause: The IR light used for night vision can reflect off surfaces that are very close to the camera, such as a window pane, a light-coloured wall, or a soffit. This reflection creates a bright glare that washes out the rest of the image, making it look blurry and indistinct.
- Solution: Adjust the camera's position. Angle it so that there are no objects immediately in front of or to the side of the lens. This prevents the IR light from bouncing back into the sensor and will dramatically improve the clarity of your night vision.