Bank Mobile Apps Mobile Deposit Rejected - Image Quality: How to Fix It

Q: Why does my bank app keep rejecting my check photos for poor quality?

Common causes include poor lighting, camera lens smudges, holding the phone at an angle, or the check not fitting properly within the app's guidelines. Ensure you have bright, even lighting and hold the phone directly above the check.

Q: What lighting is best for mobile check deposits?

Natural daylight near a window or bright indoor lighting works best. Avoid direct sunlight, shadows, fluorescent lights that can cause glare, or dim lighting that makes text hard to read.

Q: How far should I hold my phone from the check?

Hold your phone 12-18 inches directly above the check. The check should fill most of the camera frame while keeping all four corners visible within the app's alignment guidelines.

Q: Can I use mobile deposit for handwritten checks?

Yes, but handwritten checks may be more challenging to process. Ensure the handwriting is clear and legible, use darker ink, and take extra care with lighting and focus when photographing.

Q: What should I do if my phone camera won't focus on the check?

Clean the camera lens, ensure adequate lighting, and tap the screen where the check is located to manually focus. If focus issues persist, try moving to better lighting or using a different phone if available.

Abstract

When your mobile banking app rejects a check deposit due to image quality issues, it means the photo is too blurry, dark, or unclear for the system to process. This common error can be easily fixed by retaking the photo with better lighting and proper positioning.