Most security camera picture problems have a simple cause: a dirty or fogged lens (blurry image), infrared light bouncing off something close to the camera (white, washed-out night image), a bright light or low sun in the shot (glare), or motion settings that react to trees, insects and headlights (false alerts). Clean the lens, move or shield the camera, aim away from reflections, add light, and use motion zones and person detection to cut false alerts. This page gives a symptom-to-fix table for each problem and when the cause is the camera itself.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Updated October 26, 2026. 7 min read.
- Symptom-to-fix tables
- Night image problems explained
- How to cut false alerts
- When the camera is the problem
- Clean the lens first. It fixes more problems than any setting.
- A white, washed-out night image is usually infrared reflecting off an eave, wall or spider web.
- Glare needs a changed angle, a shade or a camera with wide dynamic range.
- False alerts need motion zones, lower sensitivity and person or vehicle detection.
Why is the picture blurry?
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Dirty lens or dome | Clean gently with a soft cloth. See how to clean a doorbell camera |
| Condensation or ice inside or on the window | Dry housing or heated model. See cold-weather limits |
| Out of focus (varifocal lens) | Refocus using the camera’s web page or app |
| Low bitrate or resolution setting | Raise the stream quality; watch storage |
| Weak WiFi (pixelation or lag) | Improve signal or use a wired camera |
| Subject too far away | See how far a camera can see |
Why is the night image white or washed out?
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bright white haze | Infrared bouncing off an eave, wall, window or spider web close to the lens | Move the camera out from the surface; clean webs; lower IR power |
| Black and white picture | Normal infrared mode | Add light or use colour night vision. See night vision cameras |
| Moving subject is a smear | Slow shutter speed in low light | Add lighting or raise the shutter limit |
| Glowing dots | Insects or dust near the lens | Clean the lens; add a shield |
What about glare and backlight?
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Low sun in the shot | Change the angle or add a sunshade |
| Dark faces against a bright background | Use a camera with wide dynamic range (WDR) and backlight compensation |
| Headlight glare at a driveway | Re-aim, or use a camera built for plate capture. See licence plate cameras |
| Reflection from glass | Move the camera so it is not square to the glass |
How do you reduce false motion alerts?
| Trigger | Fix |
|---|---|
| Trees, flags, shadows | Mask those areas with motion zones |
| Insects at night | Clean webs; move the camera away from lights; turn on person detection |
| Rain, snow | Lower sensitivity; use person or vehicle detection |
| Passing cars or the road | Exclude the road from the detection zone |
| Pets | Use person detection or lower sensitivity indoors |
Security camera picture problems: frequently asked questions
Why is my security camera blurry?
Most often a dirty, fogged or iced lens. Clean it first, then check focus and stream quality.
Why is my night vision washed out?
Infrared is reflecting off a nearby surface such as an eave or a spider web. Move the camera out or clean the web.
Why are my cameras giving false alerts?
Motion from trees, insects, rain or the road. Use zones, lower sensitivity and person detection.
Why do I see spiders at night?
Insects and spiders are drawn to infrared light and the warmth of the camera. Clean webs regularly.
Can WDR fix glare?
It helps with bright backgrounds and dark faces, but a better angle is often the real fix.
Can Pixl re-aim my cameras?
Yes. Call or text (587) 899-7495 with photos of the problem.
Cameras not giving a usable picture?
Send a screenshot and a photo of the spot. We tell you what to fix.
Maintenance checklist
How high to mount a camera
Night vision cameras
Sources and method. General troubleshooting practice for network cameras. Settings and menu names vary by brand. Follow your manual.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.