How to Fix Poor Video Quality on Your Yale Smart Camera
You've installed a Yale smart security camera to protect your home, but the video quality is not what you expected. If you're dealing with a blurry, grainy, or pixelated image, it can be difficult to make out important details. This troubleshooting guide will walk you through the most common causes and solutions to improve your camera's picture quality.
This guide is for you if your video feed is:
- Blurry and out of focus
- Grainy or full of 'digital noise', especially at night
- Pixelated and blocky
- Lagging or choppy during live view
Step 1: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
The quality of your camera's video stream is highly dependent on the strength and stability of your Wi-Fi network. A weak signal is the number one cause of poor video quality.
How to diagnose and improve your Wi-Fi:
- Check Signal Strength: Within your Yale Home or Yale View app, navigate to the camera's settings. You should be able to find a network status or Wi-Fi signal strength indicator. Anything less than 'Good' or 2-3 bars could be the source of the problem.
- Minimise Distance and Obstructions: The further your camera is from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal will be. Thick walls, metal appliances, and floors can also block the signal. Try moving your router to a more central location if possible.
- Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: If your camera is located far from your router (e.g., in a garage or garden), a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh network system can be a very effective way to boost the signal in that area.
Step 2: Adjust In-App Video Quality Settings
Your Yale app allows you to select the video quality. It might be set to a lower resolution to conserve bandwidth or storage. Let's make sure it's set for maximum clarity.
How to change the resolution:
- Open your Yale app and select the camera you wish to adjust.
- Find the Settings menu (often represented by a gear icon).
- Look for an option labelled "Video Quality", "Resolution", or "Image Quality".
- Ensure this is set to the highest possible option, for example, HD 1080p.
- Note: Streaming and recording in high definition will use more internet bandwidth and may require a subscription for cloud storage, depending on your model.
Step 3: Clean the Camera Lens
It might sound simple, but a dirty lens is a very common reason for a blurry or hazy picture. This is especially true for outdoor cameras exposed to the elements.
The Right Way to Clean:
- Power down the camera for safety.
- Use a soft, clean microfibre cloth (the type used for cleaning glasses is perfect).
- Do not use paper towels, tissues, or abrasive chemical cleaners, as these can cause permanent scratches or damage the lens coating.
- Gently wipe the lens to remove any dust, water spots, or fingerprints.
Step 4: Optimise Lighting for Better Clarity
Poor lighting conditions will always result in a lower quality image, as the camera's sensor struggles to capture detail.
Improving Day and Night Vision:
- Daytime: Avoid pointing the camera directly at the sun, as this can cause glare and washed-out images.
- Night-time: Grainy night vision footage is normal to an extent, but it can be improved. Check that the camera's built-in infrared (IR) LEDs are not being blocked or reflecting off a nearby surface (like a windowsill or a light-coloured wall), as this glare can ruin the image. Sometimes, adding a small, motion-activated external light can dramatically improve the clarity and colour of your nighttime video.
By following these steps, you can systematically address the most common issues and significantly enhance the video quality of your Yale smart camera.