What Can Cause a Fuzzy Security Camera (10+ Causes and Fixes)

A fuzzy security camera is a common problem faced by many surveillance systems.  This can be caused by several factors, including the type of camera used, the quality of the camera lens, and even external factors such as Infrared (IR) glare. 

Outdoor equipment can be difficult to maintain and requires a lot of upkeep and care. Exposure to the natural elements and wear and tear can cause premature wear and degradation, leading to lower quality photos and videography.

In this post, we will cover some of the most common causes and how to correct them to get crisp and clear footage.

1. The Image of the Camera will be Discolored or Fuzzy if the Dome Cover is Faded

One common problem with the security camera is the dome cover becoming discolored or blurry. To fix this issue, you can use these steps:

Fix

1. Clean the dome cover with a wet cloth (so you don’t scratch it)
2. Take a dry cloth and use it to dry the wet cloth 
3. Apply some mild dish soap to the wet cloth
4. Wet one end of your dry cloth in water and then squeeze it out. Sprinkle some salt on your dampened part of the clean cloth. Then take your soapy side of the clean cloth and rub it all over the dome cover in circular motions. You’ll be able to see what parts are dirty or have spots better this way. Rub until you feel like they are completely clean, rinse off with water.

There are several other ways to prevent the camera from getting blurry. The first and most popular way is to simply replace the faded dome cover with a new one.

2. The Lens of the Camera is Dirty

The first thing to do is to clean the camera lens. The lens is the key component of a security camera and enables it to capture clear images. You can use a lint-free cloth, canned air, or compressed air (be careful with the latter) to clean the lens.

Fuzzy security camera footage is not just a nuisance. It can be a serious hindrance to investigating crimes and crimes scenes, or to find a person of interest. This is because the video footage cannot be used for anything substantial without some sort of enhancement.

Cleaning your camera lens is one way to fix this issue that will improve the quality of the video images captured by your security camera.

The following steps will help you clean your camera lens:

Fix 

1. Turn off the power to the camera, unplug it if possible, and make sure it is not in use
2. Remove the screws at the bottom of the housing (or use an Allen key if there are two screws) (1)
3. Gently remove any dust on top of the lens with compressed air.

3. The Extension Cable Run Maybe Excessively Long

Extension cables can easily cause blurry pictures on security cameras. If an extension cable is too long, the video signal from the DVR will begin to weaken and become blurry. To prevent this from happening, make sure that your cables are not more than 50 feet in length.

Fix 

If you have found a fuzzy security camera and have tried everything to find out the cause of it, but nothing has worked for you so far, try replacing your old DVR with a new one and see if that solves your problem.

4. Automatic Focusing is Enabled With a Varifocal Zoom Lens

Fuzzy security cameras in public spaces pose security challenges. The low resolution of the camera captures everything in front of it, without any focus. This can make crimes go unnoticed or not be recorded clearly.

The Varifocal zoom, or “zoom in and out” feature of security cameras is unable to focus automatically. This problem is solved by adjusting the lens manually.

If you are experiencing this issue, please follow the steps below:

Fix

1. Adjust the lens manually
2. Restart your device
3. Restart your camera app

If the camera is moving too much, the image will be blurred. This is because varifocal zooms are unable to focus automatically. To fix this issue, you should hold down the power button to turn off the camera for a few seconds, then move it slowly while pressing the power button again.

5. Your Camera’s Resolution is Poor (Not Good Image Quality)

If the camera is displaying low-resolution footage, then there is a chance that it might be due to the wrong resolution settings. Fixing a security camera with insufficient resolution is an easy process.

The first step to take is to check the resolution settings on your recording device. If you want to fix this issue, try these step by step:

Fix

1. Make sure your device’s camera and video settings are set correctly.
2. Check the frame rate of your camera and make sure it is at least 15fps.
3. Try changing the video size of your camera to 1920x1080p.

If that does not solve the problem, your camera likely needs to be fixed or replaced.

6. The Image Resolution of Your Monitor is Low

This issue can be resolved in two ways. The first way is to change the resolution on your monitor or TV. If you’ve connected the security cam to a monitor with one input, you can usually change the resolution on the monitor by going to your computer’s settings and changing it there. (2)

The image resolution of monitors is typically measured in pixels per inch or PPI. Here’s how you can change the resolution of your monitor to high.

Fix

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Type “Control Panel” into the search bar and click on “Control Panel” in the list that pops up. (3)
3. Click on “Display.” It may be located under Hardware and Sound if you are using Windows 10.
4. Click “Adjust Resolution.” This will open a window where you can adjust the display settings for your computer.
5. Select 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).

If you’ve connected the camera to a TV, then it may be easier and more efficient to change the resolution on your television – either through your remote control or through the menu of your TV – instead of changing it through your computer.

The second way is if neither of those options worked, then you may need to replace your Security Camera’s SD card with a higher-quality SD card that has a higher resolution.

7. The WiFi Signal is Either Too Weak or Unstable (For WiFi Cams)

A weak Wi-Fi signal can be frustrating. The first thing to do is to check if the wireless router is in range. If it is not, you should move the wireless router as close as possible to the Wi-Fi camera. However, if this does not help you much and there are no other obstructions around, then you should think about increasing the available wireless channels. This might be a solution to your problem!

Wi-Fi cams are great for monitoring your home remotely, but when the Wi-Fi signal is too weak, you will have a hard time seeing the video.

 Here are some tips to help fix this problem:

Fix

1. Check that your Wi-Fi camera is not too far away from your router. The optimal distance is usually within 8 ft.
2. If you have an extender, plug it in and see if it increases the Wi-Fi signal strength.
3. Look for other wireless networks in the area and switch to these networks to free up bandwidth for your Wi-Fi cam.
4. Make sure that there are no obstructions between the camera and router which could create interference with signals, such as walls or phone lines.

8. Damaged CCTV Camera Lens

Some security cams lose clarity because the lens has been damaged or because of misalignment. These problems can be fixed with the help of a professional.

Fix

Blurry security cameras are often caused by a damaged lens or incorrect alignment. This can be fixed by calling in an expert to inspect the camera and make any necessary adjustments.

9. Burn Out Induced by the Sun

The sun has an impact on security cams and the glare from the sun may make it difficult to identify and see anything.

Fix

1. Adjust your camera lens: You can adjust the lens on your security camera to reduce or eliminate any glare that is caused by sunlight. This will also make it easier to see what is happening in front of your camera.
2. Change to a solar-friendly (UV-protected) dome: You can choose a solar-friendly (UV-protected) dome for your security camera that is set up outside or near an area where there is a lot of sunlight available all day long, even at night.
3. Use IR LEDs: The adoption of IR LEDs can fix blurry security cameras because they are functional in low-light conditions and are not sensitive to sun-induced burnout.

10. Infrared (IR) Glare

Infrared glare (also known as IR glare) is a prevalent problem with night vision security cameras. When the front of a security camera is too close to a wall or eaves, this happens. 

Fix

1. Turn on a light outdoors.
2. Turn off the night vision feature.
3. Invest in an infrared illumination light.
4. Consider purchasing an outdoor surveillance camera.

Final Words

There is a large range of issues that can cause problems with a security camera being fuzzy, if you didn’t find anything that helped you on the list you have to keep in mind there will be a time when any electronic component has hit its end of the line time and you need to replace it.

References
(1) Allen key – https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/a4114/how-to-use-an-allen-wrench/
(2) TV – https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tv.htm
(3) Control Panel – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/where-is-control-panel-aef7065f-a9ec-1ba9-8cab-79b2b83bdda5