How to Fix a Blurry Video Feed from Your Somfy Camera
A blurry or out-of-focus video feed from your Somfy security camera can be a major concern. Clear video is essential for identifying details, and a fuzzy image undermines your home security. Fortunately, most issues causing poor video quality can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting steps.
This guide will take you through the common causes of blurry video on Somfy cameras and how to fix them, from simple physical cleaning to optimising your network settings.
### First Steps: Essential Physical Checks
Always start with the most likely and easiest-to-fix culprits. You can solve many video quality problems in just a few minutes with these checks.
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Thoroughly Clean the Lens: Dust, fingerprints, water spots, or even small spider webs on the camera lens are the number one cause of blurry images.
- Cleaning Method: Power down the camera first. Use a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth to gently polish the lens. If there are stubborn smudges, you can lightly dampen the cloth with a bit of water or a dedicated lens cleaner. Never use abrasive cloths or harsh cleaning chemicals.
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Remove Protective Film: If your camera is a recent installation, double-check that the thin, clear plastic film has been removed from the lens. It is often hard to see and easily forgotten.
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Perform a Simple Reboot: Electronic devices can often develop temporary faults that a simple restart will fix.
- How to Reboot: Unplug your Somfy camera from its power source. Wait for about 60 seconds before plugging it back in. Allow the camera a few minutes to fully restart and reconnect to the network before checking the video feed in the Somfy Protect app.
## Diving Deeper: Network and App Settings
If the image is still blurry after the initial checks, the cause may be related to your Wi-Fi connection or settings within the Somfy Protect application.
### Evaluating Your Wi-Fi Connection
Your Somfy camera needs a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection to stream clear, high-definition video.
- Check Signal Strength: The location of your camera relative to your Wi-Fi router is critical. Walls, floors, and other electronic devices can interfere with the signal. Try temporarily moving the camera closer to the router to see if the video quality improves. If it does, you may need to install a Wi-Fi extender or reposition your router for better coverage.
- Reduce Network Congestion: Your home network has a limited amount of bandwidth. If multiple people are streaming movies, playing games online, or downloading large files, there may not be enough bandwidth left for your camera to stream in high quality. Check the video feed during a time of low network activity to see if this is the cause.
### Adjusting Settings in the Somfy Protect App
Your camera's performance can be directly managed from within its mobile application.
- Video Quality Setting: Somfy cameras often have adjustable video quality settings to manage data usage. It's possible yours is set to a lower resolution.
- How to Adjust: Open the Somfy Protect app, select your camera, and go into its 'Settings'. Look for a 'Video Quality' or similar menu. Ensure it is set to the highest possible option (e.g., 1080p Full HD).
- Check for Firmware Updates: Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. In the app's settings, check if there is a firmware update available for your camera and install it. This can often resolve known issues affecting video quality.
### Night Vision Considerations
If the video is only blurry at night, the problem is related to the camera's night vision functionality.
- Infrared (IR) Glare: The camera uses IR LEDs to see in the dark. If these lights reflect off a nearby surface (like a windowsill, a wall, or even the camera's own housing), it can create a bright, hazy glare that blurs the entire image. Make sure the camera's view is unobstructed.
By following these steps methodically, you can effectively diagnose the root cause of the blurry video from your Somfy camera and restore the crystal-clear image you need for your peace of mind.