How to Fix Poor Video Quality on Your Wyze Cam
A Wyze Cam is a powerful and affordable tool for home monitoring, but its effectiveness is diminished when the video quality is poor. If you're experiencing a blurry, pixelated, or lagging video stream, you can't see the details you need. The good news is that most video quality issues are not a fault of the camera itself but are related to its connection or settings.
This guide will help you understand the common causes of poor video quality and provide you with simple, actionable steps to improve your Wyze Cam's picture.
### Understanding Wyze Video Quality Settings
The Wyze app gives you direct control over the video stream quality. On the live view for your camera, usually in the top-left corner, you'll see a button that says HD, SD, or 360p.
- HD (High Definition): This provides the best, clearest image but requires the most bandwidth and a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- SD (Standard Definition): A medium-quality setting that provides a good balance between clarity and stream stability.
- 360p: The lowest quality setting, designed to work on very poor connections. The image will be noticeably pixelated.
The camera may automatically switch to a lower quality if it detects a poor connection, so even if you set it to HD, it might downgrade itself.
### Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
- The video feed is blocky, grainy, or pixelated.
- The image is soft and out of focus.
- The live stream constantly freezes, lags, or stutters.
- Colours appear washed out or incorrect.
- The picture is clear during the day but blurry or dark at night.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Your Wyze Video
Let's work through the solutions, starting with the most common and easiest fixes.
### 1. Manually Set the Video Quality to HD
The first and simplest check is to ensure you've selected the best quality in the app.
- Open the Wyze app and go to the live stream for your camera.
- In the top left corner, tap the quality button until it says "HD".
- Observe the stream. If it's clear and stable, your problem is solved. If it starts to lag or buffer, your Wi-Fi connection is likely not strong enough to support the HD stream, and you should proceed to the next step.
### 2. Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal is the number one cause of poor video quality.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Wyze app, go to the camera's settings > Device Info. You will see a Signal Strength indicator. If this has only one or two bars, the signal is weak.
- Move Camera Closer to Router: The simplest way to improve the signal is to reduce the distance between your Wyze Cam and your Wi-Fi router.
- Minimise Obstructions: Wi-Fi signals are weakened by physical barriers. Thick walls (especially concrete or brick), large metal appliances (like refrigerators), and even fish tanks can block the signal. Try to ensure a clear line of sight between the router and the camera if possible.
- Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move the camera or router, a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh network system can be installed to provide a stronger signal to the location of the camera.
### 3. Troubleshoot Night Vision Issues
If your video is only poor at night, the issue lies with the camera's IR (infrared) night vision.
- Clean the Lens: A smudged or dirty lens can look much worse at night. Gently wipe the lens with a clean microfibre cloth.
- Check for IR Glare: The black ring around the lens contains the IR emitters. If the camera is pressed against glass or positioned too close to a wall or windowsill, these lights can reflect back into the lens, creating a bright, hazy glare that ruins the image. Try repositioning the camera to eliminate these reflections.
### 4. Update Camera Firmware
Wyze frequently releases firmware updates that improve performance and fix bugs.
- Go to the Wyze app's main page.
- Select Account, then Firmware Update.
- Here you will see if any of your devices have an update available. Tap 'Update' to install the latest version.
By methodically checking your settings and optimising your Wi-Fi connection, you can significantly improve your Wyze Cam's video quality and ensure you always have a clear view of your home.