What Causes a Dash Cam to Suddenly Display Color Stripes?
2 Answers
Dash cams may suddenly display color stripes due to hardware issues or memory card problems. Hardware Issues: If the dash cam screen flickers with stripes (also known as screen distortion), first try pressing the reset button. If this doesn't resolve the issue, it is likely a hardware problem. This situation may arise due to quality issues with the dash cam itself, in which case repair or replacement is recommended. Another possible cause is incorrect light source frequency settings. The frequency should be adjusted according to the local power supply standards—generally, 50Hz for China and 60Hz for other countries. Memory Card Issues: Screen distortion can also be caused by problems with the memory card. If the memory card has slow read/write speeds and cannot keep up with the video processing speed, screen distortion may occur. It is advisable to purchase a memory card with faster read/write speeds, such as a Class 10 memory card.
I just installed a dash cam myself, and suddenly the screen is full of colorful stripes—what a headache. The issue might be with the memory card; an aging SD card or one with insufficient write speed can corrupt files during recording. Another possibility is dust on the camera lens or the chip failing due to overheating, especially if the car is parked under the scorching sun for too long in summer. Loose connections are also common—if the cigarette lighter adapter isn’t plugged in firmly, it can cause signal interruptions. A faulty power adapter might lead to unstable voltage, resulting in erratic signals. When I encountered this, simply reconnecting the power cable and reformatting the card fixed it. Regularly clean lens dust and use high-spec memory cards to ensure stability. If the footage gets blurry, it won’t help in critical moments, so developing a habit of monthly checks can save a lot of trouble.
