Xiaomi Camera Battery Draining Fast? Here's the Fix

Is Your Xiaomi Camera Battery Draining Too Quickly?

One of the best features of Xiaomi's wireless security cameras is the freedom they offer. You can place them anywhere without worrying about power cables, thanks to their long-lasting batteries. However, it is a major problem when that battery starts draining much faster than advertised, requiring constant recharging and leaving your property unprotected.

If you are frustrated with your Xiaomi camera's poor battery performance, you are in the right place. This guide will help you understand the causes of rapid battery drain and provide effective solutions to fix it.

Symptoms of Rapid Battery Drain

How do you know if your battery drain is abnormal? Here are the key signs:

• Short Battery Life: The camera lasts for only a few days or weeks on a full charge, instead of the expected months.
• Frequent Low Battery Alerts: You are constantly receiving notifications from the Mi Home app to recharge the device.
• Sudden Power Offs: The camera disconnects and goes offline unexpectedly, with the cause being a depleted battery.
• Sharp Drops in Percentage: The battery level in the app drops significantly in a very short period.
• Excessive Recordings: Your event history is filled with dozens or even hundreds of short, unnecessary recordings.

Top Causes of Battery Drain and How to Fix Them

Battery drain is rarely caused by a faulty battery. More often, it is related to the camera's settings and environment. Let's dive into the most common culprits.

1. Overly Sensitive Motion Detection

This is the number one cause of rapid battery drain. If the motion detection is too sensitive, the camera will wake up and record every time a leaf blows, a shadow moves, or a car drives past. Each recording event consumes a significant amount of power.

• The Fix:
  1. Open the Mi Home app and select your camera.
  2. Go to "Settings" (usually via the three dots in the top-right corner).
  3. Find the "Motion Detection Settings" or "Alert Settings".
  4. Lower the Sensitivity: Change the sensitivity from 'High' to 'Medium' or 'Low'.
  5. Increase the Detection Interval: Set a longer interval (e.g., 3 or 5 minutes) between alerts. This prevents the camera from re-triggering immediately for the same ongoing event.

2. Poor Wi-Fi Signal Strength

If the camera is far from your Wi-Fi router, it has to use more power to maintain a stable connection. A weak, unstable signal means the camera's radio works overtime, constantly trying to reconnect to the network.

• The Fix:
  • Check Signal Strength: In the camera's settings within the Mi Home app, find the network or connection status page to check the signal quality.
  • Move the Camera or Router: Try moving the camera closer to your Wi-Fi router. If that is not possible, consider moving the router to a more central location in your home.
  • Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move either device, a Wi-Fi range extender can be a great solution to boost the signal in the area where your camera is located.

3. Frequent Live Streaming

Every time you open the app to watch the live video feed, the camera has to wake up, stream high-quality video, and use a lot of power. While checking in is fine, streaming for long periods multiple times a day will drain the battery quickly.

• The Fix:
  • Be mindful of how often and for how long you are watching the live feed.
  • Rely on the motion-triggered recordings for reviewing events instead of constant live monitoring.

4. Extreme Temperatures

Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in your Xiaomi camera, are sensitive to temperature.

• Cold Weather: In very cold conditions (below 0°C or 32°F), the battery's ability to deliver power is significantly reduced, causing it to drain faster and even stop working temporarily.

• Hot Weather: Very high temperatures can also degrade the battery's health and longevity.

• The Fix:

  • If possible, install the camera in a location that is sheltered from direct sunlight and extreme cold, such as under an eave or a porch.
  • If you live in a very cold climate, you may need to bring the camera inside to charge more frequently during the winter.

By optimising your camera's settings and placement, you can dramatically increase its battery life, ensuring it is always ready to protect your home.