How to Fix Blurry Night Vision on Your Unifi Camera
A clear night vision image is a critical component of any 24/hour security system. When your Unifi camera's night vision becomes blurry, hazy, or washed-out, it severely compromises your ability to see what's happening in low-light conditions. This common problem is usually caused by environmental factors or simple maintenance oversights.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of poor Unifi night vision and provide clear, actionable steps to restore a crisp and detailed image.
Understanding the Cause: Infrared (IR) Glare
The number one culprit for blurry night vision is Infrared (IR) reflection, also known as IR glare or bounce-back. Unifi cameras use powerful built-in IR LEDs to illuminate the scene at night. This light is invisible to the human eye but visible to the camera sensor.
The problem occurs when this intense IR light hits a nearby object and reflects directly back into the camera lens. This over-exposure floods the sensor, resulting in a milky, foggy, or blurry image.
Common sources of IR reflection include:
- The camera's own dome cover if it's dirty or scratched.
- Nearby walls, soffits, eaves, or ceilings.
- Protective camera shields or enclosures.
- Rain, dust, or spiderwebs on the lens.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Clear Night Vision
Follow these steps in order to identify and eliminate the source of the problem.
1. Thoroughly Clean the Lens and Dome
This is the simplest and most effective first step. Over time, a fine layer of dust, dirt, or water spots can accumulate on the camera's lens or protective dome.
- Power down the camera for safety if you can.
- Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lens.
- If you have a dome camera, remove the outer cover and clean both the inside and outside of it thoroughly. Smudges on the inside of the dome are a very common cause of IR glare.
- While you're there, clear away any spiderwebs from around the camera housing.
2. Check for Physical Obstructions
Look at what is immediately surrounding the camera.
- Is the camera mounted directly under a soffit or eave? The IR light might be bouncing off the surface. Try repositioning the camera slightly, pointing it away from the surface.
- Are there any nearby walls, pipes, or window frames in the camera's field of view? These can act like a mirror for the IR light.
- If the camera is looking through a window from indoors, the IR light will simply reflect off the glass. You must disable the camera's IR LEDs and use an external IR illuminator in this scenario.
3. Adjust Camera Settings in UniFi Protect
UniFi Protect gives you control over the IR LEDs, which can help mitigate glare.
- Open the UniFi Protect application.
- Select the camera you want to adjust.
- Go to the camera's Settings.
- Look for an option like IR LED Level or Night Vision Mode.
- Try lowering the intensity of the IR LEDs. A lower setting might provide enough light without causing a harsh reflection.
- Some models may have a 'Smart' or 'Auto' mode that can help adjust the intensity automatically.
4. Check the Camera's Focus
If the image is blurry during both the day and night, the issue might be the camera's focus.
- This is less common on modern fixed-lens cameras but can happen.
- Some Unifi models, particularly older or varifocal ones, have a manual focus ring on the lens itself.
- While viewing the live stream, carefully and slowly adjust the focus ring until the image becomes sharp. It's often a very small adjustment.
5. Consider an External IR Illuminator
If you cannot resolve the IR glare due to the camera's position (e.g., it must be mounted under an eave), the best solution is to use an external IR illuminator.
- In the camera's settings, disable the built-in IR LEDs.
- Install a separate IR illuminator a short distance away from the camera.
- This illuminates the scene without creating direct reflections into the lens, resulting in an exceptionally clear night vision image.
By methodically cleaning, checking for reflections, and adjusting settings, you can easily solve most blurry night vision problems and ensure your Unifi cameras provide excellent security around the clock.