How to Fix Poor Video Quality on Your Xiaomi Camera
Xiaomi security cameras are known for offering great features and high-resolution video at an affordable price. However, if you're experiencing a blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution image, it can undermine the very purpose of having a security camera.
Don't worry, this is usually not a fault with the camera itself. Poor video quality is most often caused by network conditions or incorrect settings in the app. This guide will help you diagnose the problem and take the right steps to restore a crisp, clear picture.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
You can tell your camera isn't performing at its best if you see any of the following:
- Pixelated Image: The video looks blocky, especially during motion.
- Blurry or Soft Focus: The image is not sharp, and details are hard to make out.
- Low Resolution: The image looks like it's from an older, standard-definition camera, not a modern HD one.
- Lagging or Freezing: The video feed stutters or pauses frequently.
- Colours Look Washed Out: The colours in the video appear dull and lack vibrancy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Image Quality
Work through these steps to identify and fix the cause of the poor video stream.
1. Check and Change the Quality Setting in the App
This is the most common and easiest fix. To save bandwidth, the Xiaomi Home app often defaults to an "Auto" or "Smooth" (Standard Definition) streaming mode. You need to manually set it to High Definition.
- Open the Xiaomi Home app and select the camera you want to view.
- On the live view screen, look for a button that indicates the current quality. It might be labelled SD, HD, Auto, or show a resolution like 360p.
- Tap on this button.
- A menu will appear with quality options. Select the highest option available, which is usually HD or 1080p.
You should see an immediate and dramatic improvement in the live video quality. Note that you may need to do this for each camera you own.
2. Improve the Camera's Wi-Fi Connection
If you set the quality to HD but the stream is still pixelated or constantly buffering, the cause is almost certainly a weak Wi-Fi signal. When the camera doesn't have enough bandwidth to send a full HD stream, it will compress the video heavily, resulting in poor quality.
- Check Signal Strength: Look for a Wi-Fi signal indicator in your camera's settings within the app.
- Move Your Router: If the signal is weak, try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera.
- Reduce Obstructions: Remove any large metal objects or thick walls between the router and the camera if possible.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you can't move the router, placing a Wi-Fi range extender halfway between the router and the camera can significantly boost the signal strength.
3. Clean the Camera Lens
This may sound simple, but a surprising number of quality issues are caused by a dirty lens. Dust, fingerprints, pollen, and water spots can diffuse the light entering the lens, making the entire image appear soft and out of focus.
- Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth (the kind used for cleaning glasses).
- Gently wipe the camera's lens in a circular motion.
- Do not use abrasive materials like paper towels or harsh chemical cleaners.
4. Check the Night Vision Quality
If the quality is only poor at night, the issue could be with the infrared (IR) night vision.
- Check for IR Glare: Make sure the camera isn't positioned too close to a wall, shelf, or window. The IR light can bounce off these surfaces and back into the lens, creating a hazy or washed-out image.
- Clean the Lens: As above, a dirty lens can make IR glare much worse.
By ensuring your camera is set to the highest quality and has a strong network connection, you can make sure you're getting the sharp, detailed video you expect from your Xiaomi device.