Dash Cam Overheating Issue: Causes, Prevention, and Solutions

Drivers continue to rely on dashcams for safety and security. It provides invaluable footage as evidence. Unfortunately, the overheating problem in dash cams threatens the reliability and overall performance.

Even the most advanced cams may fall victim to excessive heat. It leads to malfunctions, shutdowns, or permanent damage. This article uncovers the causes of overheating to determine preventive measures.

It’s a common issue that compromises dash cam longevity, quality, and functionality. You must understand the primary causes of overheating. Otherwise, maintaining the device’s reliability becomes impossible.

01. Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight has been the leading culprit. Windshield-mounted dashcams absorb heat from the sun. And it causes internal temperatures to rise abruptly. 

For instance, a dash cam left in a parked car under direct sunlight can reach over 70°C (158°F). Such temperatures are well beyond the safe operating range of most devices.

02. Excessive Temperatures: Also, there are hot climates or exposure to extreme summer temperatures. Such environments prevent the dash cam from dissipating the accumulated heat. 

For example, summer temperatures can exceed 45°C (113°F) in Arizona or Dubai. And dash cams often shut down due to overheating.

03. Poor Ventilation: Dash cams generate heat while recording by default. A lack of proper ventilation can trigger heat buildups, leading to overheating. 

Some dashcam models have poorly designed casings. They can barely dissipate the heat, making those cams more susceptible to overheating.

04. High Bitrate and Resolution: 4K recording or higher bitrate contributes to the processing load. Such complex work generates more heat. 

A dash cam recording at 60fps in 4K consumes more power than one recording at 1080p 30fps. It leads to higher temperatures from the inside.

05. Faulty or Incompatible SD Cards: An unusable or struggling SD card can cause the dash cam to work harder. And more power requirements generate excessive heat. 

Cheap, low-quality, or incompatible SD cards always cause trouble one way or another. They force the dashcam to restart constantly, increasing the heat output. 

Read more: How to Check SD Card Lifespan

06. Continuous Operation: Some dash cams run 24/7, especially in parking mode. They can easily overheat due to prolonged power consumption. 

Dashcams left running for overnight recording may not trigger overheating. It becomes an issue when the car is parked in a high-temp garage.

07. Power Supply Issues: Low-quality power adapters or improper power management can cause voltage fluctuations. Inefficient charging resulting from the disruptions leads to heat buildup. 

Cheap USB cables may cause unstable power delivery, leading to increased heat production. Even high-quality power adapters and cables can cause instability due to incompatible functioning.

08. Old or Outdated Cams: Invalid models often lack heat resistance and advanced cooling mechanisms. They’re more susceptible to overheating. 

Early-generation dash cams with lithium batteries are more prone to heat damage. Falling for cheap prices feels more like a trap.

09. Internal Component Overload: Advanced dash cams are tasked with multiple processes (GPS, Wi-Fi, and cloud backup). Such tasks generate more heat due to processor workload. Modern dashcams have built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and cloud storage. They even work simultaneously to meet your needs. But they may overheat faster than a basic record-only model. 

For your information, dashcams mostly operate between -10°C to 60°C (14°F to 140°F). That’s why simple negligence can lead to devastating consequences.

You can’t spare problems like overheating with dashcams. It can severely impact performance and longevity. A frequently overheated dash cam falls far behind the standard reliability for recording.

a. Reduced Video Quality: Dashcam overheating causes the processor to throttle. It reduces video quality to prevent further heat buildup. You’ll end up with blurry, pixelated, or choppy footage. 

A 4K dash cam may automatically lower its quality to 1080p due to overheating. Excessive heat can even degrade the image sensor. It causes permanent reductions in video sharpness and color accuracy.

b. Loss of Important Footage: An unexpected shutdown due to overheating can result in the loss of footage of crucial moments. Dashcams tend to turn off due to excessive heat buildup. 

Some cams initiate automatic shutdown when temperatures exceed 60°C (140°F) to prevent damage. Any driver involved in a collision, dispute, or accusation may not have evidence to go on.

c. Shortened Device Lifespan: Constant overheating can damage internal parts. It shortens the lifespan to call for frequent replacements. Heat exposure can even degrade the battery, processor, and circuit board. 

Dash cams without modern supercapacitor-based structures are more prone to heat damage. Studies have revealed that electronics exposed to persistent heat may have a 30% to 50% shorter lifespan.

d. Frequent Freezing (Crashes): Instability becomes common, leading to frequent freezing, restarting, or system failure. Excessive heat can affect the processor, leading to erratic behavior. 

A dash cam may freeze mid-recording. You’ll need a manual restart, leaving gaps in the footage. Models with poor heat dissipation are more likely to experience frequent crashes.

Overheating doesn’t necessarily mean ultra-hot casing or smoke. You may not realize it, but heat buildup can already affect the interior. That’s why you must know the recognizing signs of overheating.

• Your dash cam seems frozen or fails to respond to button presses.
• Abrupt shutdown of the cam even when it’s connected to power.
• Display alerts in advanced models upon exceeding safe temperatures.
• Frame drops, pixelation, and blurry recording in the saved footage.
• Repeated reboots automatically as the ultimate failsafe measure.
• The casing feels excessively warm as it struggles to dissipate heat.

Some premium dash cams have built-in sensors to alert the drivers. They may trigger warning messages or automatic shutdowns upon overheating. 

REDTIGER dash cams have a solid build for heat management, although they lack specific thermal features. You have to check for the signs mentioned above at regular intervals.

01. Supercapacitor Dash Cams: Most budget-friendly dash cams still have Li-ion batteries. Supercapacitor-powered models are resistant to heat. They can withstand temperatures above 70°C (158°F), whereas Li batteries degrade at 45°C (113°F).

02. Shaded Area Mounting: Avoid direct sunlight or, at least, prolonged exposure for hours. Install the dash cam under the rearview mirror or use a sunshade. Even parking in shaded areas can reduce internal temperatures by 30%.

03. Tinted Vehicle Windows: Window tinting cuts heat buildup and sunlight entrance. Ceramic window tint enables 60% less heat absorption. And the interior temperatures can get 15°C (27°F) cooler.

04. Park Under Shade: Leaving a car under direct sunlight can affect every electronic device. Exposure for 60 minutes can induce a temperature of 140°F (60°C) inside. Meanwhile, parking in shaded areas lowers the cabin temperatures by 20% to 30%.

05. Adjust Recording Settings: A 4K 60fps recording consumes twice the power of a 1080p 30fps setting. Lower the resolution to 1080p to reduce the power consumption by 40%. It also balances video quality and heat management.

06. High-Quality SD Cards: Opt for high-endurance SD cards for uninterrupted recording. Select Class 10 or U3-rated SD cards from reputable brands for optimal performance.

07. Screen Saver Mode: Some dash cams let you turn off the screen after a manually defined period. The particular feature keeps the processor and image sensor 10% to 15% cooler.

08. Cooling Accessory: Some brands even market cooling accessories (heat shields or ventilation mounts). External cooling fans can effectively lower the temperatures by up to 20%.

• Reboot the Dash Cam: Restarting can clear temporary glitches. Turn off the dash cam to unplug it from power. Wait 5-10 minutes to restart.
• Check Placement and Ventilation: Poor position traps heat that is difficult to dissipate. Don’t enclose in a tight space or inadequate airflow.
• Inspect the Power Supply: Faulty adapters or cables can cause voltage fluctuations. Get manufacturer-recommended adapters and cables.
• Lower Recording Resolution: Reduce the video settings to 1080p. Drivers barely need the sharper and heavier details from a 4K UHD video.

• Cooling Pouch: Some drivers place dash cams in heat-resistant pouches. It can reduce temperature by up to 15%.
• Vented Dash Cam Mount: It grants better airflow to prevent heat buildup. Proper ventilation can extend the life by 30% - 50%.
• Turn Off Non-Essential Features: Disable Wi-Fi, GPS, and cloud backup. It can instantly reduce processor workload.

• Clean Vents and Exterior Surfaces: Dust and debris can block ventilation. They trap heat inside the device. Use a microfiber cloth or compressed air to clean vents and camera housing.
• Update Software/Firmware: Manufacturers release firmware updates to optimize heat management. Check for updates on the manufacturer’s website or mobile app every few months.
• Remove When Not in Use: Don’t leave the dash cam mounted on the windshield. Instead, detach the dash cam when parking for extended periods, especially during hot temperatures.

• Permanent video quality degradation (washed-out colors and reduced sharpness).
• Frequent shutdowns and restarts (random shutdowns or continuous reboot cycles).
• Battery swelling or component damage (heavy swelling, leakage, or complete failure).
• Unresponsive controls and freezing (damaged circuits to freeze, lag, or fail to respond).

Dash cam overheating can become a headache for drivers. However, it doesn’t have to be such a massive problem to disrupt your driving. Know the culprits, neutralize the issue, and take proactive measures – that’s all you need to retain a dash cam’s longevity against heat.

1. Can overheating permanently damage a dash cam?

Yes, prolonged overheating can degrade image sensors, processors, and batteries. And they eventually cause irreversible performance issues.

2. Do all dash cams overheat, or are some models more resistant to overheating? 

Not all dash cams overheat at the same rate. Supercapacitor-based models and the ones with built-in cooling mechanisms are more resistant to heat.

3. How does overheating affect night vision performance?

Excessive heat can reduce the efficiency of infrared sensors. It leads to darker or grainier night footage. Some models may also disable night vision mode when they overheat.

4. Is it safe to use a dash cam in extreme cold after overheating issues? 

Frequent overheating, followed by exposure to extreme cold, can cause thermal stress. It may induce cracked screens, damaged circuits, or reduced battery efficiency.