How to Fix Dark Image During Night
Tags: night vision issues, dark image troubleshooting, infrared (IR) lights, camera settings reset, power supply problems, IR LEDs not working, camera reboot, faulty IR lights, infrared illumination, camera maintenance, security camera troubleshooting, nighttime surveillance, poor night vision, infrared troubleshooting, camera power adapter issues, infrared LED failure, night mode problems, camera image quality, security system support, Swann camera assistance
Clear night vision is essential for effective surveillance, and most cameras achieve this using infrared (IR) lights to capture black-and-white footage in the dark.
- IR lights
- Camera settings
- Power supply
Faulty IR Lights
The infrared lights on your camera emit a faint red glow. While this may not appear very bright to the human eye, it’s essential for the camera's night vision. Here’s what to check:
- Some or all IR LEDs aren’t turning on.
- The red glow is noticeably dimmer than usual.
If you notice one or both of these issues, it could be due to an insufficient power supply from the adapter.
How to fix it?
See the instructions below that fits your camera type:
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DVR add-on cameras (PRO Series) - Check the camera’s power adapter, locate its label, and confirm the output rating. Generally, a 12V 2A (or 2000mA) adapter is used for four cameras, while a 12V 1A (or 1000mA) adapter is typical for a single camera.
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Troubleshooting: Try using a different adapter with the same output rating to see if this resolves the problem.
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Troubleshooting: Try using a different adapter with the same output rating to see if this resolves the problem.
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NVR add-on cameras (NHD Series) - most are powered over Ethernet (PoE) which means there are no power adapters; it just connects straight to the NVR.
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Troubleshooting: Connect the camera to a different camera port on the NVR.
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Troubleshooting: Connect the camera to a different camera port on the NVR.
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Stand-alone cameras - each camera comes with it's own power adapter.
- Troubleshooting: Ensure that you are using the adapter that came with the camera.
If the IR lights are still dim or not some are not turning on, and the camera worked properly before, it may be time to consider a replacement.
If all IR lights are off, proceed below.
Check the Camera Settings
This was covered on another article since an incorrect setting, not only can also cause a dark image during night, but also a pink or purple hue or overlay on the image.
Visit Why Is My Camera Feed Turning Pink or Purple (Discolouration) and follow the instructions on how to reset the camera settings.
Reboot the Camera
A simple troubleshooting that applies to most electronics is rebooting. Specially if the cameras were working fine before and you didn't change anything, as if it just happens, rebooting the cameras can sometimes fix this issue easily.
- For add-on cameras using power adapter (mostly for DVRs), you can unplug the adapter for for 20 seconds, then plug it back in.
- For NVR and NVW add-on cameras, you can access the Menu then go to Advanced > Maintain, then click Reboot IP Cam.
- For stand-alone cameras in Swann Security app, you can reboot them by going to their settings and select Advanced Settings then choose Reboot.
Conclusion
If your camera shows a dark image at night, simple troubleshooting steps—like checking the power, resetting settings, and rebooting—often resolve the issue. Regularly maintaining these elements can ensure your security system functions reliably day and night.
However, if all IR lights are on, but experiencing poor night vision, check out Possible Causes of Poor Night Vision.
If none of the troubleshooting steps resolved the issue, then the camera is having a hardware issue and needs replacement.