How to Fix a Dark or Blurry Night-Time Feed
Your SimpliSafe camera is a crucial part of your security system, and its ability to see in the dark is one of its most important features. When night vision fails, your property is left vulnerable. Whether your camera's view is pitch black, blurry, or just not switching to night mode at all, these issues can usually be resolved with some simple troubleshooting.
This guide will help you identify the cause of your SimpliSafe camera's night vision problems and restore its ability to monitor your home 24/7.
### 1. Check the Camera's Settings and Lens
Start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues.
- Verify Night Vision is Enabled: Open the SimpliSafe app, navigate to your camera's settings, and ensure that the 'Night Vision' option is set to 'Auto'. This allows the camera to automatically switch to night vision mode when the ambient light gets low. If it's set to 'Off', it will never switch.
- Clean the Camera Lens: This might sound simple, but it's a very common culprit. Dust, fingerprints, smudges, and cobwebs on the lens can scatter the infrared light, resulting in a blurry, hazy, or foggy image. Wipe the lens gently with a clean, soft microfibre cloth.
- Check the Ambient Light Sensor: Your camera has a small sensor that detects the level of light in the environment. If this sensor is dirty or obstructed, the camera won't know when it's dark enough to turn on the IR LEDs. Ensure the area around the lens is clean and clear.
### 2. Troubleshoot Environmental Factors
The camera's surroundings play a huge role in night vision performance.
- Eliminate IR Reflection: The infrared light from the camera's LEDs can bounce off nearby surfaces and overwhelm the lens.
- Window Glare: You cannot point a camera through a window at night with night vision on. The IR light will reflect off the glass, creating a massive glare and making it impossible to see outside. The camera must be mounted outdoors to monitor an outdoor space at night.
- Nearby Surfaces: If your camera is mounted too close to a soffit, wall, or even a downspout, the IR light can bounce back and cause a white-out effect. Try repositioning the camera so it has a clearer, more open view.
- Check for External Light Sources: Sometimes, a nearby porch light, streetlamp, or decorative garden light can create enough light to trick the camera's sensor into thinking it's still daytime, preventing it from switching to night mode. Try temporarily turning off nearby lights to see if the night vision activates.
### 3. Power Cycle and Reset
If the issue persists, a simple reset can often resolve software glitches.
- Power Cycle the Camera: Unplug your camera from its power source. For the Outdoor Camera, you may need to detach it from its charging cable. Wait for a full 60 seconds to allow all the internal components to discharge completely. Then, plug it back in and allow it a few minutes to reboot and reconnect.
- Check for Firmware Updates: SimpliSafe occasionally pushes updates to improve camera performance. Ensure your system is up to date, as a pending update could potentially be causing issues. You can check this within your system's settings.
By systematically checking the settings, cleaning the lens, and assessing the camera's environment for IR reflection, you can solve almost any night vision problem and ensure your SimpliSafe camera keeps a clear watch over your home, day and night.