Yi Camera Night Vision Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide
When the sun goes down, your Yi Home Camera should seamlessly switch to night vision mode, providing a clear black-and-white image of your surroundings using its infrared (IR) LEDs. If you're finding the nighttime image is pitch black, blurry, or simply not working at all, it compromises your security.
This guide offers professional and empathetic advice to help you troubleshoot and resolve the most common issues affecting your Yi camera's night vision. We will cover everything from simple setting checks to physical placement adjustments.
## Initial Checks and App Settings
Before assuming there's a fault with the camera, let's ensure everything is configured correctly in the Yi Home app.
1. Verify Night Vision is Enabled The most common reason for night vision failure is that the setting has been accidentally turned off.
- Open the Yi Home app and select the camera you are having issues with.
- Go to the camera's Settings.
- Look for a setting labelled "Night Vision IR Light" or similar.
- Ensure this setting is toggled On or, preferably, set to Auto. The "Auto" setting allows the camera's light sensor to decide when to switch night vision on and off automatically.
2. Power Cycle the Camera A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches that may be affecting the IR sensor or LEDs.
- Unplug the Yi camera from its power source (either the USB cable or the mains adapter).
- Wait for at least 60 seconds. This allows the internal components to fully discharge.
- Plug the camera back in and give it a few minutes to boot up and reconnect.
- Test the night vision again by covering the light sensor on the front of the camera with your finger, which should cause it to "click" and turn on the IR LEDs.
3. Check for Firmware Updates Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix known bugs and improve performance. An outdated firmware version could be the cause of your issue.
- In the camera's Settings within the app, find the "Firmware" section.
- The app will tell you if a new version is available. If so, proceed with the update.
## Physical and Environmental Fixes
If the settings are correct, the problem is likely related to the camera's physical condition or its environment.
### Clean the Camera Lens and Sensor
Dust, fingerprints, or a thin layer of grime on the camera's lens can cause a blurry or hazy night vision image.
- Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera lens and the surrounding black faceplate.
- Also, ensure you have removed any clear protective film that may have been left on the lens from when it was new.
### The "Window Problem": IR Glare
This is a critical point: You cannot effectively use night vision by pointing a camera through a pane of glass.
- Why it happens: At night, the camera's infrared LEDs will turn on. This IR light is invisible to the human eye but is essential for the camera to see in the dark. However, this light reflects off the surface of the window glass, creating a massive glare and blinding the camera. The result is a bright, washed-out image where you can see nothing beyond the window.
- The Solution: If you need to monitor an area outside, the camera must be physically located outside. If you must place it indoors, you will need to turn the camera's IR lights off in the settings and rely on an external light source, such as a porch light, to illuminate the area.
### Check for Nearby Obstructions
The camera's IR light can also reflect off nearby surfaces, causing a "spotlight" effect where the centre of the image is too bright and the rest is too dark.
- Ensure the camera is not positioned too close to a wall, a shelf, or any other light-coloured object that could reflect the IR light back into the lens.
- Reposition the camera so that it has a clear, unobstructed view of the area you wish to monitor.