Getting Inaccurate Person Detection Alerts from Your Xiaomi Camera?
One of the most valuable features of a Xiaomi security camera is its ability to intelligently detect people, ensuring you only get notified about what truly matters. However, when the system gets it wrong—either missing a genuine event or sending you constant false alarms for pets, shadows, or swaying trees—it can become more of a nuisance than a help.
If you're tired of misleading notifications, you've come to the right place. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive set of troubleshooting steps to fine-tune your Xiaomi camera's person detection and restore its accuracy.
## Common Causes for Incorrect Person Detection
Understanding the root of the problem is the first step to fixing it. Inaccurate alerts from your Xiaomi camera are typically caused by one or more of the following:
- Sensitivity Settings: The detection sensitivity may be too high, causing the camera to flag any minor movement.
- Environmental Factors: Moving foliage, changing light patterns, insects, or even pets can be misinterpreted by the AI.
- Camera Placement: An improper viewing angle or obstructions can lead to poor analysis of the scene.
- Outdated Software: The camera's firmware may have bugs or less-refined algorithms that have been fixed in a later version.
- Dirty Lens: A smudged or dusty lens can distort the image, making it difficult for the AI to correctly identify shapes.
## How to Fix and Improve Your Xiaomi Camera's Accuracy
Let's work through these solutions to get your camera working reliably.
### 1. Adjust Detection Sensitivity in the Mi Home App
This is the most effective and easiest adjustment to make.
- Open the Mi Home app and select your camera.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to access the Settings menu.
- Look for an option like "Detection settings" or "Home surveillance settings".
- Inside, you will find a setting for "Motion detection sensitivity" or "Person detection sensitivity".
- If you are receiving too many false alerts, change this setting from High to Medium or Low.
- Test the camera for a day to see if the frequency of false alerts has decreased.
### 2. Optimise Your Camera's Environment and Placement
Where your camera is placed has a huge impact on its performance.
- Avoid Areas with Constant Motion: Do not point the camera directly at trees, bushes, or flags that move with the wind. This is a very common source of false alerts.
- Be Mindful of Light Changes: Avoid pointing the camera at areas where shadows move dramatically throughout the day (e.g., shadows cast by trees or buildings). Also, be aware that car headlights at night can trigger alerts.
- Clean the Lens: Use a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth to gently clean the camera lens. Dust, fingerprints, and water spots can significantly degrade image quality and confuse the detection algorithm.
- Stable Mounting: Ensure the camera is mounted securely. A camera that vibrates or moves slightly in the wind will constantly trigger motion alerts.
### 3. Update Your Camera's Firmware
Xiaomi frequently releases firmware updates that include bug fixes and improvements to their AI detection models.
- In the camera's Settings menu within the Mi Home app, find the "Firmware update" or "Check for firmware updates" option.
- If an update is available, the app will prompt you to download and install it.
- Ensure the camera remains powered on and connected to Wi-Fi during the entire update process. This can often resolve persistent detection issues.
### 4. Use Motion Zones (If Available)
Some Xiaomi camera models allow you to specify which parts of the camera's view should be monitored for motion.
- In the "Detection settings", look for an option to set "Motion zones" or "Activity zones".
- Draw a zone that covers only the critical areas you want to monitor, such as a doorway or walkway, while excluding areas like a busy pavement or a neighbour's garden.
By carefully tuning the sensitivity, optimising placement, and keeping your software up-to-date, you can dramatically improve the accuracy of your Xiaomi camera's person detection and start trusting your notifications again.