How to Fix Blurry Video on Your Verkada Camera
A blurry or out-of-focus video feed from a Verkada security camera can compromise your ability to identify important details in an incident. Whether the image is consistently soft, pixelated, or has suddenly lost clarity, the issue can typically be traced back to a few common causes.
This professional guide will help you troubleshoot the root cause of your blurry video and restore the crisp, high-definition image quality you expect from Verkada.
### 1. The Most Common Culprit: A Dirty Lens or Dome
Before diving into technical troubleshooting, always start with a physical inspection. Over time, the camera's exterior can accumulate dust, dirt, pollen, fingerprints, or water spots, which are the number one cause of blurry images.
- Required Tool: A clean, dry microfibre cloth (the kind used for eyeglasses is perfect).
- Cleaning Procedure:
- Gently wipe the entire surface of the camera's dome or lens cover.
- Apply firm but even pressure to remove any smudges or residues.
- Do not use paper towels, tissues, or abrasive chemical cleaners, as these can scratch the plastic dome and permanently damage the image quality.
- For stubborn grime, you can slightly dampen the microfibre cloth with clean water or a solution of diluted isopropyl alcohol.
### 2. Check for Moisture and Condensation
Environmental factors can lead to moisture getting trapped inside the camera housing, causing a foggy or blurry view, especially as temperatures change.
- Signs of Condensation: You may see a fog-like appearance or visible water droplets on the inside of the lens dome.
- Solution: This usually indicates a compromised seal. You should check that the camera's housing is securely sealed. If the problem persists, it may require un-mounting the camera, bringing it to a dry indoor environment to allow the moisture to evaporate, and then re-installing it, ensuring all seals and gaskets are correctly in place. Contact Verkada support if the seal appears to be faulty.
### 3. Triggering a Camera Refocus
Verkada cameras use an autofocus mechanism to ensure the image is sharp. Sometimes, this focus can be "lost" due to vibrations or a software glitch. A reboot will force the camera to run its autofocus routine again.
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Remote Reboot (Recommended):
- Log in to Verkada Command.
- Navigate to the camera in question and open its Settings.
- Under the Device tab, click Reboot Camera.
-
Physical Reboot:
- If the camera is accessible, you can unplug its network cable from the PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch or injector.
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
After the camera restarts, it will automatically readjust its focus. Check the live feed after a few minutes to see if the clarity has improved.
### 4. Investigate Network and Bandwidth Issues
While a network issue won't cause a lens to go out of focus, it can cause the video stream to appear blurry or pixelated. This happens when the video data (packets) is lost in transit.
- Check Camera Analytics: In Verkada Command, you can view the health and analytics for each camera. Look at the metrics for packet loss or bitrate. High packet loss is a strong indicator that network problems are degrading your video quality.
- Steady vs. Blurry: If the image is consistently blurry, it's a physical/focus issue. If the image is sharp one moment and then becomes blocky or pixelated, especially during motion, it's likely a network issue.
- Solution: Addressing network issues may involve checking network cables, switches, or consulting with your IT department to diagnose network congestion.
By systematically addressing these four areas—cleanliness, environment, focus, and network—you can resolve the vast majority of blurry video issues with your Verkada cameras.