Why Does a Webcam Go Out Of Focus?

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Updated August 26, 2022

From the best webcams to the worst, it’s not uncommon to have technical issues with your model. One such issue is an out-of-focus webcam. So, why does a webcam go out of focus? There are a few reasons this could be happening, and most of them are easily fixable. Keep reading to find out more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The most common issue for an out-of-focus webcam is a poor network connection.
  • It could also be that the autofocus feature on your webcam is on the fritz. Try disabling the autofocus feature to see if that fixes things.
  • Webcam drivers need to be updated regularly. If you haven’t updated yours in a while, that might be causing your problem.

Explaining Focus-Related Webcam Issues

Webcam issues pop up no matter the model you’re using. That’s why many people ask, “Why is my webcam green?” If you can’t fix the problem with your camera’s focus and want to get a new model, try comparing a webcam vs a DSLR camera to expand your options.

Insider Tip

If you can’t fix your autofocus issues, you might just have a bad webcam that needs to be replaced.

Poor Internet Connection

If your webcam image quality is poor, look to see if your internet connection is stable. When you try to video chat, this can cause all sorts of problems, so always check your network settings for issues. If possible, you may want to switch to an ethernet connection to maintain a stronger connection. If you’re also wondering, “Why does my webcam lag?” this could also be your answer.

Autofocus Feature

The system might just be on the fritz if you have autofocus as a feature for your webcam. This is a common problem that’s typically easily fixable. All you have to do in most cases is restart your webcam and see if that changes things. You can also disable autofocus and see if that helps. If not, it might not be the autofocus at all.

Outdated Webcam Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause a ton of problems for webcams. This is especially true if you have recently installed your model or haven’t used it in a while. Try going to the manufacturer’s website to check if any updates are available.

Warning

If you can’t fix your autofocus issues, you might just have a bad webcam that needs to be replaced.

Dirty Lens

A dirty lens might also be causing focus issues. That’s why learning how to clean a webcam lens is so important.

STAT: In a survey conducted in August 2020 among Singaporeans who watched one hour or more of online video content per week, approximately 35 percent of respondents stated that they spent one to two hours chatting online or video conferencing each week. (source)

F.A.Q.

How do I improve my webcam video quality?

You can do a few things to improve the video quality on your webcam. The first is to make sure you don’t have bad lighting. Having adequate lighting will significantly enhance the quality of the image.

Should I use auto focus during video streams?

Autofocus is a powerful tool for those who like to stream. Because of how it works, it’ll keep your image crisp even when moving around a little while keeping the background nice and blurry.

When should I use manual focus?

Anytime there is a lot of movement involved, using manual focus is never a bad idea. Your camera might have difficulty focusing in auto mode if there is a ton of activity.

What are the signs of a bad webcam?

Having a webcam that isn’t working anymore is never fun. A few signs that yours is on its way out include:

  • Your webcam camera won’t turn on
  • You constantly have a blurry webcam
  • Your video image is shorting out
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