Kasa smart camera, a smart device produced by TP-Link, is a great way to keep your home secure, especially at night. Thanks to its night vision mode capabilities, you will always be aware of any unauthorized movement at home.
However, like any other smart cam, the Kasa camera’s night vision mode may encounter issues and stop working.
This could be due to a disabled night vision mode, too much light, infrared problems, software updates, voltage drops, or other issues.
Why Kasa Camera’s Night Vision Mode Isn’t Working
Kasa camera may not work because you forgot to activate the night vision under your settings. It could also be due to too much light surrounding the camera, infrared problems, a dirty camera lens, or a voltage drop. Sometimes, the issue arises from outdated software or internal issues, such as your camera bugging out.
It helps to understand how Kasa cameras work before you start troubleshooting the night vision mode issue. The camera uses infrared light to illuminate images, enabling the camera to see in the dark. This way, the Kasa camera can record clear videos within 30 feet at night.
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7 Causes and Fixes For When Kasa Camera’s Night Vision Mode Isn’t Working
Here are some reasons why Kasa camera’s night vision mode may stop working and how to fix the problem.
1. Night Vision Mode Not Enabled
You must check on your Kasa camera to see is if the night vision is enabled. Here is how to turn the night vision mode on your Kasa camera:
- Open your Kasa App and go to Device Settings
- Scroll downward to “Night Vision” and tap on it
- You’ll see an options menu with “Automatic, Off, or Always On”
- Now select your preferred option and click to save
2. Too Much Light
Too much light in the surrounding area often prevents night vision from not working on your Kasa Camera. Night vision only activates when it gets dark, and the cam no longer receives sufficient light for creating clear color images.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Ensure no bright light source points directly at the camera’s lens.
- Confirm that there are no shiny surfaces nearby that might produce a glare. These surfaces will only negatively affect the situation, and your camera will struggle with night vision.
When there is a bright light, it prevents or delays the LED lights from activating since the camera sensor detects that the area is well-lit. Though the light may not be bright enough to capture images in front of the camera, it gives the illusion that the area is not dark enough. If the area isn’t dark, the camera’s night vision will not activate.
3. Infrared Camera Problems
Kasa cameras are usually equipped with an IR cut filter designed to switch to night mode, especially when the camera senses low light. If adjusting the lights near the camera does not fix the issue, it could be an infrared bouncing issue. At night, the camera IR switches on to help illuminate and see in the dark.
To avoid such images, here’s what you need to do:
- Avoid pointing your camera at reflective surfaces and objects
- Do not leave plants in front of the camera IR
- Do not place the cameras in tight corners
- Move the surfaces or objects that reflect light
Additionally, you can check if your camera has a missing or defective rubber ring. The rubber ring is usually around the IR camera lens and protects the camera from IR light bleeding. It often gets damaged during the camera installation, and in some cases, is not well-positioned.
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4. Dirty Camera Lens
The common causes for these blurry images are grease, fingerprints, dust, or scratches on the camera glass. Cleaning the lens will help the night vision mode work better when it’s dark outside.
To clean the lens, here’s what you need to do:
- Wipe away the grime and dirt with a piece of cloth.
- You can try blasting the unit with compressed air. These will help set the lens back up for better night vision.
- Once you’re done cleaning, wait for nighttime and reduce the exposure on your camera. It could take some time, but the night vision will be ready once the light exposure is minimal.
5. Software Updates
Check to see if your camera has any software upgrades. Updates are essential for the maximum performance of your Kasa smart camera. They help enhance the system’s newer features by preventing performance errors and bugs.
To update the software, here’s what you need to do:
- Launch the Kasa app.
- Open “Device Settings,” and click “Firmware Updates.”
- Make sure you are running on the latest version of the camera’s software.
6. Voltage Drop
Another common problem with the Kasa camera night vision is the voltage drop. When the camera’s IR illuminates, the camera consumes more power, and if there isn’t enough copper and the cable run is long, there will be a voltage drop.
This might cause the camera to stop functioning or cycle on and off. The cycling on and off is when the IR illuminates, causing the camera to turn off, then power on and work till the IR turns on again.
During the power drop, the Kasa camera’s night vision mode may stop working. In case you have joined the cameras to the DVR and the power supply using a CAT 5 cable, ensure the copper cable is pure. It shouldn’t be just a CCA or a copper-clad aluminum to maximize the power output.
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7. Internal Issues
If all these solutions don't work, it’s possible that your camera may be bugging out or experiencing internal glitches. In this case, we recommend power cycling by unplugging and plugging your Kasa camera back again.
Sometimes power cycling the Kasa camera may not give you the results you want. If this happens, you may have to reset it to factory settings. You must note that resetting your camera will make you lose all your custom settings. Once you’ve reset your camera, you will have to set up all your custom configurations again.
To reset your Kasa Camera, follow these steps:
- Find the reset button at the back of the camera
- Long press the button for at least 15 seconds
- The LED will blink amber, and your camera will reset
- Once the reset process is over, you will have to reconnect your camera to a WiFi
Alternative Night Vision Security Cameras
The Kasa camera is by no doubt one of the best smart security cameras with night vision. However, sometimes its night vision mode may stop working. A security camera is only half as effective without night vision—the reason we suggest these alternatives.
Wyze
The Wyze camera is one of the best affordable options in the market. The camera records HD videos with a 180-degree rotating base tilt, making it easy to scan a room up and down in seconds.
The camera's video quality of 1080p is good, and the night vision is solid. It has 6 IR LEDs that help achieve clear and sharp night vision. The LEDs increase the distance, so you can see clear images in any lighting condition.
Ring Camera
These camera record high-quality 1080p videos with a 140 degree field of view. It also has a night-vision mode that captures details in faces, as well as managing poorly lit environments.
Its two-way audio with speakers that sounds good is equally impressive.
Arlo
The Arlo is another premium camera with great features. For night security, the camera boats a 2K live stream with great contrast colored night vision that is crisp and clear. You do not have to worry about being limited to black and white images in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kasa Cam have Night Vision?
Why is my Kasa camera in black and white?
Do Kasa cameras work without WiFi?
Conclusion
Kasa camera’s night vision mode that is not working may be due to the issues we have discussed above. Knowing all these reasons is important when troubleshooting and fixing the night vision mode problem.
👉 Related reading: Why Is My Kasa Smart Bulb Turning On By Itself?
Fortunately, we have 7 easy fixes to give you an idea of what to do. Consider checking them one at a time to get your camera up and running. However, if none of the tips works, you may have to contact the Kasa customer support team for further assistance.
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