A vehicle’s backup camera is an advanced driver technology that makes driving safer. It’s helpful when reversing or parking, as you can easily see what’s behind the vehicle. And what’s more, this camera has grid lines you can use to estimate how close or far objects are from your auto.
Unfortunately, it’s common for the backup camera grid lines to disappear, leaving drivers helpless. If you wish to restore this critical feature, you must understand why the lines disappeared.
Herein, I explain why the backup camera grid lines disappear and how to resolve each issue.
Question: What Causes Backup Camera Grid Lines to Disappear?
Backup camera grid lines vanish due to the following reasons:
- Defective hardware
- Improper installation
- Damaged connections
- Disabled grid lines
- Internal condensation
Defective Hardware
The backup or rearview camera is usually mounted on the bumper. Its proximity to the surface means it’s prone to dirt and debris.
If you drive on rugged roads, stones, sticks, and other objects can hit the scratch or crack the lens. Additionally, these objects can hit the camera and damage the sensor and the stabilizer.
A defective rearview camera can result in blurry images with invisible grid lines. Sometimes, you might get a black screen with no grid lines.
Besides damaging camera parts, dust, mud, or rainwater can affect the camera’s efficiency. You might get a fuzzy or unclear view instead of the usual transparent display. In this case, the grid lines may appear broken or unclear.
A cotton swab or microfiber cloth dipped in water/rubbing alcohol can help clean the backup camera lens. However, if the rearview camera suffers from damage, replace it. You must ascertain that the aftermarket rearview camera is functional before buying and installing it.
Improper Installation
The backup camera grid lines might disappear if the component is not installed correctly. This can be a manufacturer’s fault or a mechanic who replaced an older rearview camera and wiring.
The truth is, installing the entire component requires special skills and tools. After installing the camera, the professional must set it up to ensure it functions correctly. One mistake when installing or setting and the grid lines will disappear.
Not every installation or setting procedure works for all vehicle backup cameras. If you’re replacing a defective rearview camera and wires, look for an experienced technician. You can also visit the dealership to address the wrong installation issue.
Loose or Damaged Connections
The backup camera communicates with the car’s infotainment system through wires and connections. The connections must be tight and secure to transmit signals. Similarly, the cables must be in good condition to relay signals.
But like other car wires and connections, these parts can get loose or damaged over time. For example, driving on bumpy roads can cause the connections to become loose. Moreover, the wires might have succumbed to damage if your car had an accident.
Loose connections or frayed wires can cause the display to receive abnormal color feeds. The camera might also start displaying white or black images.
Connection problems might cause the backup camera grid lines disappear when reversing or parking. They may also appear washed out and hard to see.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting the wires attached to the camera and the vehicle’s computer. If the issue persists, allow a technician to diagnose the connections and wires.
Fixing the problem may involve replacing faulty connectors, wrapping frayed wires with electrical tape, or replacing damaged wires.
Disabled Grid Lines
You likely turned off the grid lines while tinkering with the infotainment system. While grid lines are helpful, not all drivers prefer using them when reversing or parking. Turning off the grid lines lets you get a clear, unobstructed view.
Not all cars allow you to disable the grid lines. Check the owner’s manual to understand how to use the backup camera.
If your vehicle allows turning the lines off and on, you can go to the reverse camera settings menu and turn it on. When enabling the lines, adjust the settings to ensure the lines are clear and easy to see.
Internal Condensation
Water sipping into the interior of the backup camera can result in blurry images or grid lines disappearing. This issue is common if you leave the vehicle in condensation conditions for a long time.
It can happen when it’s cold and you turn the heating system on. The heat will create much condensation in the car, causing water to go into the camera’s electrical systems. The image will be blurry if the water lands on the camera lens.
To avoid this, always regulate the airflow to minimize internal condensation.
However, if the backup camera has moisture inside, sun-dry it to remove the water.
Answer: Resetting the Backup Camera
If the backup camera grid lines disappear due to software glitches, a reset can help restore them. And since each rearview camera model has a different reset procedure, consult the manual to know the steps.
Below are two ways to reset your backup camera if the grid lines disappear.
Soft Reset
A soft reset comes in handy if you have camera settings or preferences you don’t want to erase. You only need to locate the reset button and hold it for 10-15 seconds.
Check the owner’s manual if you don’t know which button to hold. Holding this button for up to 15 seconds will reset the rearview camera.
Try the hard reset if the soft reset fails to restore the grid lines.
Hard Reset
Unlike the soft reset, the hard reset erases all the settings and preferences. The process will reset all your vehicle’s electronics, including the radio and Bluetooth connections.
The procedure is tricky, but you can do it yourself. These steps will help you to perform a hard reset on your backup camera:
- Turn off the car
- Pop the hood
- Disconnect the battery. Always start with the negative cable first to avoid electrical shorts.
- Turn the car on
- Turn the headlights or press the horn to drain any leftover power
- Turn the car off
- Reconnect the battery. Unlike before, you must start with the positive cable when reconnecting the battery.
Some professionals recommend unplugging the rearview camera cable and leaving it disconnected for about two minutes.
If you installed an aftermarket backup camera, ensure it has an instruction manual. This manual will help you maintain the camera and know all its possible issues, including restoring the backup camera grid lines. The manual should be in the camera’s box.
Final Thoughts
The backup camera grid lines are useful for any driver when backing up or parking. Unfortunately, these lines can disappear due to several issues. If the backup camera grid lines disappear, check for damaged hardware, loose connections, or improper installation.
Moreover, you might have turned off the grid lines if your vehicle allows you to do it. In this case, you’ll need to turn the grid lines on. Conducting a soft or hard reset on your backup camera can also help restore the lines. If none of the above fixes works, take your car to a technician for troubleshooting.