Using flash at night for portrait photographg

[NHawk]

Hello

I am new with photography 

I mainly take picture of my family members. I find it difficult to take good pictures at night using the build in flash. The problem seems to be to be focusing and the subject becomes too bright or washed out. 
 

how do I fix it and take good photos. 

thanks for the help

[marc]

Have you tried different flash settings? For nights I suggest going with "TTL Slow" which tries to balance the background with the subject. Additionally I have set the flash output to -2/3 and the sync to "rear", the latter meaning that the flash fires at the end of the exposure time, which looks better with subjects in motion.