We know how frustrating security camera freezing is during the colder months.
Doorbell cameras are especially susceptible to fog and frost, which impacts viewing capabilities.
While fog and frost on the lens is common in cold climates, there are solutions to the problem. Discover our essential tips to stop your doorbell camera freezing.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Doorbell Camera Keep Freezing?
Doorbell cameras freeze because the air has a high moisture content, while the device has a low surface temperature.
When the air temperature reaches the dew point, water vapor condenses to become a water droplet.
If the temperature drops below 0 Celsius or 32 Fahrenheit, dew solidifies into ice crystals.
Struggling with getting decent home surveillance because of the cold? Find out how the cold weather affects security cameras and what you can do about it.
5 Ways to Stop Doorbells from Frosting
It’s all well and good knowing why doorbell cameras are sometimes subject to frost and fog, but how do you deal with it? Learn how to prevent frozen security cameras with these five clever tricks.
1. Ensure correct placement
Ensuring correct doorbell camera placement is the best way to prevent it from frosting.
Unfortunately, it’s not often as straightforward as positioning other smart home technologies. After all, security cameras often need to be outdoors.
Installing the doorbell camera outside shaded areas helps reduce the chance of dew crystallizing.
Strong morning sunshine helps evaporate overnight condensation and prevent frost formation.
Choosing a doorbell camera location away from cooling and heating appliances, such as HVAC technologies and dryer vents, is preferrable.
Air is warmer around these technologies, which increases humidity. The higher the humidity, the greater the chance of forming fog in or around the lens.
Position the doorbell camera away from moisture-rich fixtures and features, such as landscaping systems, pooled water, drains and gutters.
2. Bring the doorbell camera indoors to dry
Check the doorbell camera’s internal fogging to determine its severity. It’ll be fine if there’s only a speck of moisture inside—gently dry it out using a towel or tissue.
Water and electronics aren’t buddies. Prolonged contact with moisture causes irreparable damage.
In particularly bad weather, bring doorbell cameras indoors if they are not sufficiently protected by an overhang.
Next, get a large Ziploc bag and fill it with hygroscopic desiccant packets. The name might not be familiar, but these are the tiny bags filled with bead-like materials (usually silica) that draw out moisture.
You can get the same effect by placing the device in dry white rice.
3. Water ingress protection
Doorbell cameras are outdoor devices constantly exposed to the elements, so they need adequate ingress protection.
All outdoor security cameras should at least be IP65 rated to protect it from dust and water. But this doesn’t mean it can be completely submerged in water.
If concerned your doorbell camera isn’t sufficiently waterproof, try applying Rain-X or similar water-repellent products. These solutions create a waterproof coating on the casing of the camera, making the surface too slippery for water molecules to stay on.
‘I had this issue with my doorbell. Condensation would get on the lens and make it useless. I emailed support, they told me to spray it with RainX.’
Charlesw2506 (Reddit user)
Wrapping a silicone sleeve around the doorbell camera is another great way to increase weatherproofing.
Much like wearing a waterproof jacket in the winter, sleeves prevent water from seeping into the device and stabilize the temperature, reducing the risk of doorbell camera fogging and frosting.
4. Apply anti-fog coating
Applying an anti-fogging coating onto doorbell camera glass stops frost development by preventing surface moisture accumulation.
There are two types of anti-fog coating: hydrophobic and hydrophilic. What’s the difference?
| Hydrophobic | Hydrophilic | |
| Action | Repels or pushes water molecules away | Attracts or pulls water molecules closer |
| Water droplet-surface angle requirement | Greater than 90 degrees | 90 degrees or less |
| Expected effects | Prevents water molecules from sticking to the surface | Prevents water molecules from breaking into tinier water globules, allowing for effortless wiping |
| Recommended applications | Suitable for preventing fogging on glass and non-plastic surfaces | Ideal for preventing fogging on plastic surfaces |
Be aware that this trick might void your doorbell camera’s warranty.
Install a heat trace tape
Try wrapping a heating tape or cable around the doorbell enclosure to increase the device’s surface temperature.
One Reddit user inserted the ultra-flexible heat trace tape inside the doorbell camera enclosure to “warm” the interior. It increased surface temperature and prevented condensation, saving the device from frosting.
“You can get not very expensive kits containing a length of heated tape and a thermostat, known as “trace heating.” Wrapping some of that round the camera and lens is one way to do it – even better is it’s inside an enclosure. It uses power but not too much. Mine takes 12W per meter when it’s on.”
anomalous-cowherd (Reddit user)
FAQ
How do I keep frost off my security camera?
To stop doorbells from frosting, apply an anti-fog coating on it to prevent moisture from splitting into smaller droplets. Most of these products are hydrophobic (water-fearing), enabling them to repel water molecules from the doorbell’s surface.
Covering the doorbell with a sleeve also prevents condensation on its surface. Drying the doorbell with a microfiber cloth as frequently as possible will help stop it from frosting.
Defrosting or anti-ice spray is necessary for regular frosting of the doorbell.These products increase the temperature of the ice by dissolving the molecular bonds. Wipe off the excess moisture and apply an anti-fogging coating.
How to stop your doorbell cameras from freezing at night?
Covering the doorbell camera with a silicone sleeve or heat trace tape prevents condensation on its surface. Applying anti-fog coating products is also useful, but be aware of voiding any product warranties before doing so.
How do you keep a doorbell warm in the winter?
Doorbell camera manufacturers have specific recommendations for keeping their products warm in the winter. For example, Ring recommends bringing the doorbell indoors to recharge the battery. Recharging the device also increases its temperature, allowing it to function optimally in the winter.
Ring also advises monitoring the battery temperature and charge level. It should be 100% charged with a temperature higher than 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do doorbell cameras work in cold weather?
Doorbell cameras work in cold weather so long as the temperature isn’t below the device’s minimum operating threshold.
For example, Google’s Nest Doorbell has a minimum operating temperature of -4 degrees Fahrenheit. However, its battery requires at least 32 degrees Fahrenheit to charge efficiently.
What temperature can a doorbell withstand?
The temperature a doorbell can withstand differs across products. For example, Google’s Nest doorbell can withstand -4 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, a Ring doorbell might stop working if the temperature is lower than -5 degrees Fahrenheit or exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
You don’t need to become a hostage to doorbell camera fogging and frosting. Positioning the device in the ideal location helps significantly, while applying an anti-fog coating, protecting it in a weatherproof enclosure, or using a heating tape aids in dealing with consistent fog or frost formation.
This allows you to continue using your smart home device, optimizing its many benefits.
Recommended reading: Make a Waterproof Camera Cover with This DIY Guide (9 Steps)