How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance

TC40, TC41, TC53, TC55, TC60, TC65, TC70, TC71, TC72, TC73, TC82, TC82 KIT, TC85, TC85 KIT, Tapo C100, Tapo C101, Tapo C110, Tapo C110P2, Tapo C110P4, Tapo C111, Tapo C120, Tapo C125, Tapo C200, Tapo C200P2, Tapo C201, Tapo C202, Tapo C210, Tapo C210P2, Tapo C211, Tapo C212, Tapo C220, Tapo C222, Tapo C225, Tapo C310, Tapo C310P2, Tapo C320WS, Tapo C325WB, Tapo C400S2, Tapo C402, Tapo C402 KIT, Tapo C403, Tapo C403 KIT, Tapo C410, Tapo C410 KIT, Tapo C420, Tapo C420S1, Tapo C420S2, Tapo C420S4, Tapo C425, Tapo C425 KIT, Tapo C500, Tapo C510W, Tapo C520WS, Tapo C720

03-12-2024 21,189

Recent updates may have expanded access to feature(s) discussed in this FAQ. Visit your product's support page, select the correct hardware version for your device and check either the Datasheet or the firmware section for the latest improvements added to your product.

Security cameras are essential to monitoring your property and protecting your home. To maximize their performance, it’s important to place security cameras optimally.

We have listed important tips to help you place your security cameras to ensure their performance.

(description: tips to mount the camera for optimal performance)

1. To ensure the location where the camera is mounted has a strong Wi-Fi signal, it’s suggested to take your phone to that location to test the Wi-Fi signal first.

2. Select a location that provides a clear and unobstructed view of the area you want to monitor.

3. Avoid placing the camera behind glass.

If the camera is installed behind glass, infrared lights may cause reflection when the camera works in the Night mode, resulting in blurry and unclear images, thereby hindering timely detection of moving objects.

4. Position the camera in such a way that it avoids direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause glare or wash out the image, making it difficult to capture clear footage.

5. Choose an appropriate angle and height to install the camera based on the camera view range.

1) It’s not recommended to mount the pan/tilt camera horizontally on the wall since it’s inconvenient to view the camera on the Tapo app, the image of the camera will rotate 90° on the Tapo app.

2) For the battery cameras:

Keep the motion sensor lens level for best results.

It's recommended to install it 7-10 ft above the ground and tilt downwards at a suggested angle in the QIG or App. Here take Tapo C4XX Series as example.

■ Tapo C410 Series: 10° ~ 15°

■ Tapo C420 Series: 20° ~ 25°

■ Tapo C425 Series: 20°

6. To extend the battery life and optimize camera performance, we have the following suggestions for placing a battery camera based on its working mechanism.

What is the Wake-up Sensitivity of my battery camera/doorbell?

https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/3599/

1) Avoid pointing the camera directly at swaying trees, cars, pedestrians on the road, or street lamps. They may lead the camera to waste battery quickly or false alarms.

2) Mount your camera to the side so that movement goes across the lens's field of view to better trigger camera detection.

The battery cameras may not detect objects moving directly toward it to some extent.

3) Do Not place the camera behind glasses (such as windows) since glasses will block the motion sensor of the battery camera, making it unable to detect motions.