Why Is My Video Quality So Bad? 13 Proven Fixes for Bad Quality Videos

Frustrated by grainy or pixelated video ruining your footage? You're not alone. Whether you're recording content for YouTube, editing client work, or simply capturing moments on your phone, it's common to encounter disappointing video quality. From unexpected blurriness to washed-out colors and strange compression glitches, poor video quality can be caused by various factors. In this guide, we'll explore why your video quality is so bad, how to fix bad quality video effectively, and the AI unblurring tools you can use to make even low-quality videos look significantly better.

Before we dive in, let’s take a look at what you’ll gain from this guide.

Why Is My Video Quality So Bad?

Low-quality video often appears blurry or soft, even if recorded in HD. You may notice pixelation, especially during fast motion, or strange blocks that suggest compression artifacts. Colors may look faded or dull, and the footage might lack contrast. In some cases, audio and video may be slightly out of sync, and the video can lag or stutter during playback. If you recognize any of these signs, you’re likely dealing with a low-quality video that needs fixing.

Understanding what’s behind poor video quality is the first step toward fixing it. In most cases, low-quality results from a combination of technical and environmental factors. Here are the most frequent issues:

• Low resolution recording: If your camera is set to 480p or 720p, the footage will lack detail compared to 1080p or 4K.
• Insufficient lighting: Shooting in dim conditions leads to digital noise and loss of color accuracy.
• Camera instability or misfocus: Handheld shots, dirty lenses, or poor autofocus can cause blur.
• Improper export settings: A low bitrate or choosing inefficient formats like AVI instead of MP4 (H.264/H.265) reduces visual quality.
• Online compression: Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram heavily compress videos to save bandwidth, sometimes causing artifacts and softening.
• Playback settings or speed: Streaming on a slow connection may default to 360p, making your video look worse than it is.

7 Quick Fixes for Poor Quality Video Before & During Recording

Improving video quality doesn’t always require post-production. Many issues can be avoided with better planning during filming. To capture clean, high-quality footage:

1. Use natural daylight or softbox/LED lights to ensure your subject is well-lit, minimizing grain.
2. Adjust your camera settings to record at the maximum resolution (1080p or higher) and appropriate frame rate (30fps or 60fps).
3. Stabilize your shots using tripods, gimbals, or even phone mounts to reduce motion blur.
4. Check your camera lens for smudges or dust before recording, as these can degrade clarity.

During uploads or live streaming, keep in mind:

1. Use a stable, high-speed internet connection—preferably wired—to avoid connection drops.
2. Upload using the platform’s recommended bitrate and format settings. For example, YouTube recommends at least 15 Mbps for 1080p.
3. Manually select the highest playback resolution on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, especially when default settings reduce quality.

How to Fix Bad Video Quality in Post Production

If you’re working with a video that’s already been recorded and looks bad, don’t worry—there are several ways to improve it. The most effective results come from combining manual video editing tools with AI-powered upscaling solutions.

1. Denoising Grainy Videos

Low-light footage often introduces visible noise or grain. To fix noisy videos, you can use software like DaVinci Resolve, which includes dedicated temporal and spatial noise reduction controls. Another popular option is the Neat Video plugin, compatible with Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro, and Davinci Resolve, known for its powerful but resource-intensive denoising capabilities.

Learn More: How to Denoise Video in Premiere Pro >>

2. Sharpening Soft or Blurry Footage

When a video appears too soft or slightly out of focus, applying sharpening filters can help. Adobe Premiere Pro offers Unsharp Mask and Lumetri sharpening tools, while Final Cut Pro includes built-in detail-enhancing effects. Use these tools with moderation to avoid introducing halo artifacts or unnatural edges.

Take Premiere Pro Unsharp Mask as an example, you just need to:

1. Apply the Unsharp Mask Effect
2. Define the Amount, Radius, & Threshold Parameters
3. Adjusting the Parameters

Then you'll get the high quality video with rich details.

3. Fixing Washed-Out or Dull Colors

If your footage looks faded, color correction is essential. Tools like DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and even CapCut allow you to manually adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and white balance. These corrections can make footage appear more vibrant and professional.

4. Cropping and Reframing Problematic Areas

Sometimes only a portion of the frame looks usable due to blur or poor exposure. Most editors, including iMovie, Shotcut, and Resolve, allow you to crop, reframe, or zoom into a cleaner section of the video without quality loss—especially if the original is in a higher resolution.

5. Masking Artifacts with Effects

If your video has visible compression artifacts or pixelation, subtle use of film grain overlays or soft blur can help mask them. Software like After Effects or even free editors like HitFilm Express include these effects. When used tastefully, they can turn distracting flaws into intentional stylistic choices.

6. AI Upscaling with Aiarty Video Enhancer (Recommended Solution)

Aiarty Video Enhancer can fix multiple issues at once—grain, blur, compression, and low resolution—by applying deep-learning models to restore details and upscale video up to 4K. It’s the best all-in-one tool for creators who want professional-looking results without the complexity of editing software.

What Makes Aiarty Video Enhancer Stand Out:

• Effortless Resolution Upscaling: Transform 480p, 720p, or 1080p footage into stunning 4K automatically.
• Crystal-Clear Clarity: Eliminate noise, grain, and compression artifacts, especially in older or low-light videos.
• Unblur Video and Sharpen Every Detail: Correct motion blur and focus imperfections for sharper visuals.
• Optimized AI Models for Any Video: Choose from specialized AI models (moDetail-HQ v2, Smooth-HQ v2, superVideo vHQ) for diverse scenes like landscapes, human faces, dark scenes, and more.
• Blazing-Fast Performance: Utilize GPU acceleration for up to 3x faster rendering and instant results with Turbo Mode.

How to Fix Bad Quality Video and Enhance to 4K Using Aiarty Video Enhancer

Step 1: Download and launch Aiarty Video Enhancer. Drag your low-quality or blurry video file(s) into the main interface.

Step 2: Choose the right AI model to restore and enhance your footage:

• moDetail-HQ v2: Ideal for sharpening blurry and grainy outdoor footage. This model uses advanced AI to restore lost details and textures—perfect for trees, grass, and well-lit environments. Supports 1×, 2×, and 4× enhancement, as well as standard resolution like 720p, 1080p, 2K, and 4K.
• Smooth-HQ v2: Best for facial close-ups, home scenes, or social content. It softens compression artifacts and enhances skin tone clarity while maintaining a natural look.
• superVideo vHQ: Designed for low-light or noisy clips. This model is your go-to when fixing night scenes, indoor shadows, or underexposed video. Supports up to 2× upscale with elite denoising.

Step 3: Select your target resolution from the Upscale menu. Choose 3840×2160 for full 4K output, or go with 2×/4× upscaling based on your original resolution.

Step 4: Click Preview to see a real-time comparison between the original and enhanced version. Aiarty applies AI processing instantly so you can evaluate which model best fixes your bad quality video. Not satisfied? Easily switch models and re-preview.

Step 5: When the result looks sharp and clean, click Add Task to queue the video. Then choose how you want to export:

• Export Current to render just the selected clip.
• Batch Export if you’re fixing multiple low-quality videos at once.

What's the Best Tool to Fix Bad Video Quality for Beginners?

You don’t need to be a professional video editor or invest in premium software to make your videos look better. The following free tools are popular among beginners and hobbyists:

• DaVinci Resolve – A powerful editor with industry-grade color correction and denoising tools, even in its free version.
• HandBrake – A video transcoder that lets you re-export clips with better bitrate and codec optimization, helping reduce compression artifacts.
• CapCut – A mobile and desktop app with user-friendly editing features like contrast, sharpness, and AI-based enhancements.
• VLC Media Player – While mostly used for playback, it includes video filters for quick contrast and brightness adjustments. >> More for VLC video upscaling

While these tools offer a good starting point, they often require manual tweaks and time. For those seeking a faster, AI-powered solution, Aiarty Video Enhancer offers automated improvement with professional-grade results.

Conclusion

If you've been wondering "why is my video quality so bad" or searching for ways to fix bad quality video, the solution is now within reach. Whether you're dealing with blurry visuals, pixelation, or noise, combining manual editing techniques with smart tools like Aiarty Video Enhancer can transform your footage. Start by identifying the source of your quality issues, apply the best-fit fixes, and don't hesitate to leverage AI for maximum clarity. Try Aiarty today to turn frustrating, low-quality video into professional-looking content that stands out.

FAQs

1. Why does my HD video look bad on YouTube?

YouTube applies automatic compression to all uploaded videos to reduce file size and ensure smooth playback. This often results in pixelation, soft edges, and color banding. To maintain the best possible quality, export your videos at a higher bitrate than YouTube recommends and use modern codecs like H.264 or H.265.

2. Can you fix a pixelated or blurry video?

Yes—at least partially. Pixelated or blurry videos can be improved using AI tools like Aiarty Video Enhancer, which intelligently upscale, denoise, and sharpen frames. While it can't restore every lost pixel, it significantly boosts clarity and perceived resolution.

3. Does video quality depend on Wi-Fi?

Yes, but only during playback or uploads. If you're streaming on a slow connection, platforms like YouTube or TikTok may default to lower resolutions like 360p. However, the original file on your device remains unaffected. Always check playback settings and ensure stable internet to view your videos in HD or 4K.

4. Why is my iPhone video blurry after sending?

This usually happens when sharing via MMS or standard texting apps, which heavily compress videos. To preserve full quality, use AirDrop, iCloud links, or third-party apps like Google Drive or WeTransfer.

5. Is it worth upscaling a 480p video?

Absolutely. Traditional upscaling methods only stretch pixels, but modern AI tools like Aiarty can reconstruct details, reduce noise, and output true HD or 4K quality. Even old or mobile-shot 480p videos can look dramatically better after enhancement.