My video looks blurry or pixelated

This article helps you troubleshoot blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution video from your THINKWARE dash cam.

Image and audio issues can involve resolution changes after firmware updates, protective lens film, windshield reflections, brightness settings, image-sensor operation, disabled audio recording, or an obstructed microphone.

If your recorded video footage appears grainy, out of focus, pixelated, or lower quality than advertised, follow the steps below.

THINKWARE dash cam mounted on windshield recording front vehicle view

Already tried some steps? Jump to:

1. Remove Protective Lens Film and Clean Glass

2. View Video Files on a PC or Laptop

3. Verify and Increase Resolution Settings in App

4. Adjust Front and Rear Camera Brightness Settings

5. Install a CPL Filter to Reduce Windshield Glare

Remove Protective Lens Film and Clean Glass

1. Inspect the front camera lens and rear camera lens.

2. Ensure the factory protective plastic film has been completely peeled off. Leaving the protective film on will result in blurry, distorted video.

3. Clean the camera lens using a clean microfiber cloth to remove oil film and fingerprints.

4. Clean the windshield area directly in front of the dash cam lens.

5. Ensure the camera lens is not mounted behind heavy windshield tint or heat-blocking film.

Hand wiping a THINKWARE dash cam lens with a cleaning cloth

View Video Files on a PC or Laptop

Required tools: PC or Mac (and a microSD card reader if transferring files directly from the card).

When you stream dash cam recordings over Wi-Fi in the mobile app without downloading them, an unstable Wi-Fi connection or your phone's performance can make playback appear choppy or blurry. Review the original video files on a PC or laptop to check the quality actually recorded by the dash cam.

1. Download or transfer the original video files to a computer or laptop. Smartphone display resolution or compression can affect how 2K or 4K video appears.

2. Play the original .MP4 files in THINKWARE PC Viewer or VLC Media Player to review their native quality.

Note: High relative speeds and opposing traffic can make license plates difficult to read because of shutter-speed and motion-blur limits, even at 4K UHD.

Verify and Increase Resolution Settings in App

Caution: Changing resolution can erase continuous recordings. Back up important recordings before changing this setting.

1. Turn on the vehicle ignition and open the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app on your smartphone.

2. Connect to your dash cam via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

3. Navigate to [Dash Cam Settings] > [Camera Settings] > [Resolution].

4. Select a resolution and frame-rate option supported by your model. Use higher resolution for fine details or try a higher frame rate for moving subjects. Compare the original recordings to choose the option that works best for your driving conditions.

Smartphone screen displaying resolution options in THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app

5. Confirm the disclaimer prompt noting that changing the resolution setting will reformat continuous recording storage.

6. Tap the back arrow in the top-left corner to save your settings.

Note: Firmware updates or factory resets can restore lower default resolution settings. Check the resolution after updating firmware.

If your model has a separate Image Quality setting, open [Dash Cam Settings] > [Camera Settings] > [Image Quality], select [High Quality], and save your changes. This setting is separate from resolution setting.

Adjust Front and Rear Camera Brightness Settings

1. Open the THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app > [Dash Cam Settings] > [Camera Settings] > [Brightness-front] / [Brightness-rear].

2. Select [Dark], [Mid], or [Bright].

Recommended Setting: Keep brightness set to [Mid] for balanced exposure across daytime and night driving.

THINKWARE DASH CAM LINK app Camera Settings screen showing both front and rear brightness set to Mid

Install a CPL Filter to Reduce Windshield Glare

Dashboard reflections and windshield glare can cause camera sensors to lose contrast, making license plates unreadable.

Attach an official THINKWARE Circular Polarizing (CPL) Filter over the front camera lens.

U3000 PRO and ARC 800 use the new CPL Filter (TWA-CPL2).
U1000 PRO, U1000 Plus, ARC 900, and ARC 700 do not support a CPL Filter.

Hands fitting a CPL filter over a THINKWARE dash cam lens

For installation steps, see How to Install the CPL Filter.

None of the above worked

If you have checked resolution, cleaned the lens, tested HDR and Super Night Vision, formatted the microSD card, and checked audio settings, but the issue continues, please contact THINKWARE support.

For warranty or technical evaluation information, see About THINKWARE's warranty policy.

Need more help?

Contact the support team for your region by email or phone. We’ll respond to your email as quickly as we can.

North America (US/CA)
Email: support@thinkware.com
Phone: 1-844-865-9273

United Kingdom (UK)
Email: support.eu@thinkware.com
Phone: +44 (0) 333-121-0008

Europe (EU)
Email: support@thinkwarestore.com
Phone: +49 69 943 22200