Security cameras nowadays have become a necessity for households. In past decades, it was only recommended for business establishments, public places, and high risk areas.
As the world changes, it has been proven many times that CCTV (closed-circuit television) can help prevent crime. Moreover, it is also useful in solving crimes as video footage can be recorded by a security camera, whether outside or inside your house.
However, it is no use if technical issues prevent your Blink camera from recording high quality video footage.
In this article, we will discuss the common reasons why a Blink camera experiences blurry or distorted video.
Primary Reasons For a Blink Camera Being Shadowy, Blurry, or Distorted
There are several causes why your Blink Camera fails to capture high-quality images or video footage; some are internal factors, some external. Below are the common reasons.
- Poor camera positioning
- Weak Wifi Signal
- Dirty Lens
- Infrared reflection
- Condensation
- Weak Sync Module Signal
- Nearby lights
- Failure to remove the lens cover
- Uncalibrated night vision settings
- In rare cases, a defective Blink Camera
Let us first focus on the external causes and possible solutions to rectify the problems.
Reposition the Camera
Forgive us if this seems obvious. Nonetheless, it is a great place to start.
Many of the below problems (condensation, infrared reflection, weak WiFi connection, etc.) can be fixed by changing the camera’s position. Oftentimes it only takes a minor relocation (perhaps only a couple feet) to rectify the problem.
Failure to Remove the Lens Cover
Before proceeding to much more complicated troubleshooting steps, let us next focus (forgive the bad pun…) on a surprisingly common cause of why your Blink camera is fuzzy. Unfortunately, this concern is prevalent for newly installed cameras.
Much of the time, camera installers and owners are too preoccupied with internal or software settings that we forget the most basic ones – the lens cover.
Most security cameras come with a protective plastic cover to protect the lens from possible scratches by shipping the units from the manufacturer to the distributors.
Since it is only a plastic cover, when the unit is new, it won’t affect the quality of the videos. However, over time the plastic cover can bubble up or become soiled, distorting the image that your camera lens captures.
The fix here is painfully simple — just remove the plastic cover from the lens.
Dirty Lens
Another concern will arise if you have already removed the plastic cover that protects the lens. Since your camera lens is now uncovered by plastic, you must clean it regularly.
It is a common problem with outdoor cameras, especially if exposed to dust; it accumulates dirt in a short period. Therefore, an ideal cleaning time interval for outdoor cameras, especially those installed in a dust-prone location, is at least twice a month.
For indoor cameras, once every 1 to 3 months should do. However, an older home, a dirty HVAC system, or the presence of pets may result in a lens becoming dirty more rapidly than expected.
The clearing procedure is very simple; you only need to follow a few steps.
- Take a clean, ideally reusable microfiber cloth. Then wipe the camera lens slowly and gently until the lens becomes clean and free of debris.
- If the dirt accumulated by your camera lens has turned into mud, soak your reusable microfiber cloth in clean water. Then squeeze the wet cloth to remove the excess water, and gently wipe it on the camera lens.
- Obviously, you should take care to avoid excess water exposure. You don’t want to damage your camera by flooding it during the cleaning process.
Condensation that Covers your Camera Lens
Another common reason your Blink camera is fuzzy or shadowy is the possible moisture that builds up on the lens.
This is another issue that outdoor cameras experience during certain seasons of the year, especially if it is humid or cold. Likewise if the temperature has changed from warm in the morning and suddenly drops by night.
Most likely, this will cause condensation. There are a few steps to clear the moisture on your camera lens, depending on whether the moisture is from the outside or inside.
- If the moisture is outside, it is much easier; you only need to get a clean, dry cloth and wipe the lens till it becomes clear.
- However, if the moisture is inside, you can open the lens protector cover in front and dry it. But make sure to open, uninstall or remove it carefully. Then wipe the lens protector cover using a dry clean cloth until it is clear of moisture.
- Always double-check the camera’s back battery cover. Make sure it is tightly covered and fastened to the camera’s main body. If it is not properly closed, moisture can enter. Ensure the latch is sealed and tightly installed around the camera’s body. There are ways of weatherproofing a camera, but you should only try these if you know what you are doing. Don’t risk voiding the warranty by trying to “fix” something yourself.
- Lastly, you may also check your camera’s location or position; it might be installed in a humid or moisture-prone area where condensation is likely to re-occur. For instance, in places near your garden or swimming pool, the best option is to try moving the camera to another location.
To prevent recurrence of this problem, try anti-fog products. While Blink is never going to recommend this, many users will experience improved results by adding a little defogger on the front lens of the camera.
Brighter Lights Blinding the Blink Camera
One of the most common problems for all cameras occurs when brighter lights shine directly into the lens. It causes a technical problem because it blinds the camera’s lens, which results in fuzzy or distorted images.
The basic troubleshooting step to rectify the error is to ensure that the camera is not installed in front of a strong light. In addition, as much as possible, ensure that the camera and the light are not facing each other directly.
IR Reflection Affects the Video Quality of a Blink Camera
This usually happens during the night. If the camera is in night mode, the Blink camera’s IR emitter will turn on automatically.
You will notice if the image on your screen is black and white. The Blink camera is IR sensitive, so any bright light or reflection it detects nearby will create a halo or shadowy effect. This isn’t a “flaw,” per se, but rather is just the nature of the design.
Therefore, to rectify said concern, ensure that your Blink Camera is not placed or installed too near a glossy surface such as tables and wall cabinets. This is a good reason why a Blink camera functions better when installed and mounted rather than simply placed on a surface that might cause reflection.
After providing all the external troubleshooting procedures and reminders, you can check your Blink camera. We will now proceed to software and internal troubleshooting steps.
Important Note: Before performing the software troubleshooting steps, you must ensure that the Blink App is downloaded on your smartphone or laptop before troubleshooting. The Blink App is available for download from the Apple or Google Play stores.
Weak WIFI and Sync Module Signal
The WIFI connectivity of your Blink Camera also affects its video resolution, and at times, the images become blurry and fuzzy. Why? If the WIFI signal is weak, it can cause the video resolution to shift from high to low resolution.
So this affects the video quality during the transmission of the images captured by your camera to your screen. It becomes intermittently fuzzy.
Because the sync module signal is responsible for relaying the commands and network details of all the cameras connected to the device switch, having a poor connection on the sync module can also cause fuzzy and cloudy images from the camera.
The Blink camera cannot feed high-quality video to your monitor or screen due to poor internet connectivity. Below are the steps to get this fixed.
- We recommend you open the Blink App using your phone and go to “Camera Settings.” Click it. Then proceed to “Camera to WIFI.” There you can see the signal strength. If it is poor, you can reset your router. If the issue persists, ensure that your Blink Camera is installed in a location where the WIFI signal is strong.
- Another step that you can check on your Blink App is the “Sync Module.” Go to “Camera Settings” and then click it. Proceed directly to “Camera to Sync Module.” Ensure that the signal is strong; disconnect the Blink camera from the sync module and reconnect it. Ensure that all cameras installed are placed in areas where the sync module signal is strong. If not, reposition your camera.
Check your Blink Camera’s Video Quality Setting
After securing the WIFI and Sync Module connectivity, the following setting that you have to check is the video quality of your Blink Camera. Ensure that it is set to a high resolution for the best performance. Below are the steps to do it.
- Open the Blink app on your phone or laptop. Then go to “Camera Settings” and select it. Once you are there, proceed to “Video Quality.” Then choose the option “Best” and click on it. Once you have chosen it, you can ensure that the quality of your video is always set to high resolution.
Reminder: If your Blink Camera is on the “Best” quality option, it is normal that your battery easily drains because it consumes a lot of electricity due to the high-resolution of the camera.
For Night Vision Blurriness, Adjust Settings
Many users report issues with night vision only. If this is the case, you can tweak the night vision settings.
Under the “Camera Settings” on the app, you can adjust night vision to “On,” “Off,” or “Auto.” But the better fix is to change the settings for “IR Intensity.” If your camera is set to “High,” try modifying it to “Medium” or “Low” instead.
Power Reset your Blink Camera
After performing all the troubleshooting steps provided, hopefully you are again experiencing crystal clear video. However, if your camera remains blurry, we will do the last resort step.
Below are the steps to reset a Blink camera:
- For any Sync module-compatible Blink camera, you should reset the Sync Module rather than the camera itself. To do this, simply locate the “reset” button and press it for 5+ seconds using a sharp instrument or paper clip. For a more detailed explanation, see the Blink support website.
- On the Blink Mini (which isn’t Sync Module-compatible), just press the reset button on the underside of the camera for 30+ seconds.
Note: If there is no improvement after performing the factory reset, we recommend you contact Blink support to discuss next steps. You can contact them here.
Ambient Temperature & Camera Performance
It might surprise you to know that even the temperature around your Blink camera can have an impact on its performance. Yes, temperature swings could be a less obvious culprit behind your blurry videos!
Extreme heat or cold may not just affect the battery life of your device, but also tamper with the image sensor and lens, leading to blurry footage. It’s not commonly known, but the lens of your camera can expand or contract based on the ambient temperature. This subtle change in dimension can throw the focus out of alignment, leading to a loss in clarity.
While Blink cameras are designed to operate in a range of conditions, they work best in temperatures between -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C). So, if your camera is positioned in an area subject to extreme temperature swings – such as direct sunlight in summer or exposed to harsh winter conditions – it might be worth considering an alternative placement or using some form of insulation to keep the temperature more constant.
Troubleshooting Blurry Footage Due to Firmware Issues
Firmware updates can be a blessing or a curse. On one hand, they help improve the functionality and security of your device. On the other hand, sometimes, new firmware versions can inadvertently cause problems like blurry footage. This happens rarely, but it’s a possibility to consider if your camera suddenly starts capturing blurry images following an update.
To verify if this is the case, check if there were any recent updates to your Blink camera. You can do this by going to your Blink App, clicking on the “Settings” icon, and checking the “Device Info” section. If a recent update coincides with the start of your issues, it might be worth reaching out to Blink’s customer support. They will either help you roll back the firmware or provide a fix.
You can also try a manual firmware update, ensuring your device is running the most current firmware version. Again, go to the “Settings” section in your Blink App, then select “Device Info” and click on “Update Firmware”. Please make sure your camera is connected to Wi-Fi during this process.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of reasons that your Blink camera may be blurry. So, we start with the obvious (like poor positioning) and work our way from there.
Ultimately, our hope is that found a fix quickly. But if you are still reading, it might be time to contact customer support or simply find a new security camera. If the device is clean, properly positioned, and factory reset — yet still gives you problems — there might not be much hope for your device!
FAQs
What is the optimal positioning for my Blink camera to avoid blurry videos?
Ideally, your Blink camera should be placed in a well-lit area with a stable Wi-Fi signal and out of direct sunlight or severe cold. It should be mounted at a height that prevents reflections from shiny surfaces, and it should be directed away from bright lights to avoid dazzling the lens.
How often should I clean my Blink camera lens?
For outdoor cameras, especially in dust-prone locations, it’s advisable to clean the lens at least twice a month. Indoor cameras can usually be cleaned once every 1 to 3 months, but if you have pets or an older home, you might need to clean the lens more frequently.
How can I check if my Blink camera is running the latest firmware?
You can check this via the Blink App. Go to “Settings”, then select “Device Info”. Here you will find your firmware version and an option to “Update Firmware”.
What is the temperature range in which my Blink camera operates best?
Blink cameras operate optimally in temperatures between -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C).
What should I do if my Blink camera still produces blurry footage even after following all troubleshooting steps?
If you’ve performed all the troubleshooting steps and still experience blurry footage, it’s best to contact Blink support for further assistance.
