Tesla Model S Owners & Service Manuals

Tesla Model S: Camera blocked or blinded

Clean camera or wait for it to regain visibility

One or more of the vehicle cameras is blocked or blinded due to external conditions. When the cameras cannot provide accurate visual information, some or all Autopilot features may be temporarily unavailable.

Cameras can be blocked or blinded due to many factors, including:

  • Dirt or debris on the camera surface
  • Environmental conditions like rain, fog, snow, or dew
  • Bright sunlight or glare from another light source
  • Condensation (water droplets or mist) on the camera surface

Continue to your destination. Your vehicle is OK to drive.

This is often a temporary issue that will be resolved when condensation evaporates or a particular environmental condition is no longer present.

If the alert does not clear by the time you reach your destination, check camera surfaces for condensation, dirt, or other debris.

Clean the cameras as necessary before your next planned drive. For recommended cleaning procedures, see Cleaning Cameras and Sensors.

If you continue to see this alert after cleaning the cameras, check the inside surfaces of the door pillar camera enclosures for condensation.

Although condensation inside the camera enclosures cannot be wiped clean, you can usually clear it faster by following these steps:

1. Pre-condition the cabin with the temperature set to High and A/C turned ON.

2. Turn on the front windshield defroster.

3. Direct the air vents toward the door pillar cameras.

For more information on clearing condensation from camera enclosures, see Cleaning Cameras and Sensors.

If the alert does not clear by the end of your next planned drive, despite cleaning the indicated camera(s) and following recommended steps to clear condensation, schedule service at your next convenient opportunity. Your vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime.

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