Night vision cameras “see” clearly at night and in extremely low light conditions. A lot of CCTV cameras experience issues with picture quality at night. Security cameras can show up too dark or pitch black, sometimes there is no image at all. You may also see white spots on the image or bright rings that make the footage almost unusable.
You may also see moving artefacts over the night image. The night-time picture quality deterioration in CCTV cameras is caused by different issues. If your cameras display night vision problems, it is important to address them as soon as possible to avoid compromising your security. Read on as we list some of the common CCTV night vision issues.
The cameras show no video at night
This is a common issue with night vision cameras. To fix this problem, you should start by checking the camera’s power source. At night, the infrared lights of the camera turn on and use more power. In some cases, the power can’t handle the camera and this prevents the infrared light from turning on. If the infrared light doesn’t work, the night-time photo quality will be too dark.
It is therefore crucial to inspect the power supply box and make sure that it can handle all the night vision cameras connected to it. If you are using IP cameras, inspect the PoE switch and plug the camera into a different port to see if the problem is fixed. You should check the connections and wires and ensure they are fully connected and secured. Sometimes, they may be loose and aren’t fully plugged into their spots. You should cover the lens of the night vision equipment with your palm and check whether the infrared light comes on. If they turn on then it means the camera has sufficient power. If not, you may have a problem that you need to fix. Sometimes, the distance from where you install your camera is too long. You should bring the camera closer and check if it works. It is always recommended to install the camera at shorter distances from the specifications of the manufacturer.
Your camera shows white spots or areas on the screen
White circles, spots or areas on the screen can be problematic. They are caused by the infrared lights reflecting into the eye of the camera. The infrared LED lights are typically placed around the eye of the camera and automatically turn on at night. This light may hit a close surface and bounce back causing white areas or spots on the screen.
Night vision cameras come with a rubber ring around the lens to prevent the infrared light from bleeding out. You should check if the rubber ring is tightly pressed against the glass. Some quack installers remove them. You should ensure yours is there. You should also clean the glass of your camera. With time, the camera will get dirty and the lights will hit the dust particles and bounce back. It is recommended to clean your camera once in three months.