Can't See in the Dark? A Guide to Fixing Somfy Night Vision
Your Somfy security camera is a guardian for your home, and its ability to see clearly at night is paramount. When night vision fails, your property is left vulnerable. Whether your Somfy Outdoor Camera or an indoor model is showing a black screen instead of a clear, infrared-illuminated image, we're here to help.
This troubleshooting guide is designed to help you diagnose and fix the most common causes of Somfy night vision problems, helping you restore your 24/7 peace of mind.
## Essential First Checks
Let's begin with the most common and easily fixable culprits.
### 1. Check App Settings
Your camera's behaviour is controlled by the Somfy Protect app. The night vision feature must be correctly configured to function.
- Open the Somfy Protect app.
- Go to the 'My Devices' section and select the camera you are having issues with.
- Tap on the Settings icon.
- Look for a 'Night Vision' or similar video quality setting.
- Ensure the mode is set to 'Auto'. This allows the camera's built-in light sensor to control the switch between day and night modes automatically. If it's set to 'Off' or 'Day', it will not activate.
### 2. Perform a Power Cycle
A classic IT support step for a reason - it works. Restarting the camera can clear temporary software bugs that may be preventing the IR illuminators from activating.
- Disconnect the camera from its power supply.
- Leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds. This ensures a full power discharge.
- Reconnect the power and wait for the camera to fully boot up and connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Once it's back online, test the night vision by observing the live feed in a dark room or waiting until nightfall.
## Investigating Environmental Factors
If the initial checks don't bear fruit, the problem may lie in the camera's environment.
### 3. Clean the Camera Housing
A surprisingly common issue is a dirty lens. Over time, a film of dust, dirt, or water spots can accumulate on the camera's protective dome or lens cover. This can obscure the lens and block the infrared light emitted by the LEDs.
- Use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe the entire camera housing.
- Pay special attention to the area around the lens where the small, black IR LEDs are located.
- Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners; a slightly damp cloth is sufficient for most jobs.
### 4. Identify and Eliminate Light Source Confusion
The camera's ambient light sensor is sensitive. A nearby light source can fool the camera into thinking it is still daytime, thus preventing the night vision from engaging.
- Inspect the area: Look for porch lights, streetlights, or even decorative garden lights that are in the camera's direct line of sight.
- Reflective glare: Light reflecting off a window pane, a car, or even a puddle of water can be enough to confuse the sensor.
- Test: Cover the potential light source temporarily and see if the night vision activates. If it does, you will need to find a permanent solution, such as repositioning the camera or shielding it from the light.
## Advanced Solutions
If the issue persists, you may need to take more decisive action.
### 5. Check for Firmware Updates
Somfy periodically releases firmware updates to fix bugs and improve performance. A known night vision issue may have been addressed in a recent update.
- Open the Somfy Protect app.
- Navigate to your camera's settings.
- Look for a 'Firmware Update' or 'Device Information' section.
- If an update is available, proceed with the installation. Ensure the camera remains powered on during the entire update process.
### 6. Consider a Factory Reset
This should be your final troubleshooting step, as it will erase all your custom settings and require you to set up the camera again from scratch.
- Find the physical reset button on your camera model. Its location can be found in your user manual.
- Usually, you'll need to press and hold this button for 10-15 seconds until the camera's status light changes or you hear an audible confirmation.
- Once the reset is complete, follow the in-app instructions to re-add the camera to your account.
If a factory reset does not resolve the night vision failure, this suggests a potential hardware fault with the IR LEDs or the camera's internal components. In this case, you should contact Somfy's official customer support for further assistance and potential warranty claims.