Do you have a Vivint doorbell camera at home but continually find it offline? You’re not alone. A lot of homeowners have experienced this issue with their Vivint doorbell cameras.
Don’t panic, though. We’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll show you what you can do to get your camera back online. We’ll also show you the possible causes of the offline mode and how to fix them.
We know it’s a huge bummer, seeing your Vivint doorbell camera keep going offline, so let’s dive in and help you get it back up and running!
Why does my Vivint doorbell keep going offline?
Why does my Vivint doorbell keep going offline? There are several causes that could be causing your Vivint doorbell to keep going offline. Network errors or problems with your Wi-Fi connection can make your camera go offline.
Other ways can include power issues within the camera, issues within the router, errors or glitches within the Vivint App, incorrect setup of the Wi-Fi or the password, or problems within the panel or the hub that can all cause your Vivint doorbell camera to turn offline.
Let’s look at the reasons one after the other
What are the reasons why your Vivint doorbell camera keeps going offline?
1. Wifi or Internet connection issues
The Vivint doorbell camera may experience wifi or Internet connection issues due to a variety of factors, such as no Internet connection, slow Internet/WiFi, or problems with networking equipment.
If the issue is slow internet/WiFi, the doorbell may connect to the WiFi, but it will randomly disconnect or struggle to keep a strong connection.
Networking equipment such as router, Ethernet cables, and network switches can all cause disconnection issues.
It is important to check for interference from other Wi-Fi networks and check the quality of the cables used. If necessary, switch the channel on your router or reset the Wi-Fi router.
2. Cameras, doorbells, and routers’ firmware updates
Firmware updates are necessary to keep security cameras up to date with the latest technological developments and to prevent security issues. However, if a Vivint doorbell camera’s firmware is not updated, it can lead to instability and inconsistency in device-system communication.
This could cause the camera to disconnect more frequently than usual, and as technology develops quickly, the software on security cameras can become obsolete in a short amount of time.
3. Interference with wireless signals
Interference with wireless signals is one of the main causes of Vivint’s doorbell camera going offline.
This interference is usually caused by other wireless devices operating on the same frequency as the doorbell camera, such as phones, video game consoles, computers, Bluetooth headphones, garage doors, and satellite dishes, which all operate on a 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency.
The interference can also be caused by a problem in the networking equipment, such as the router, Ethernet cables, and network switches.
Radio waves can weaken and spread out while traveling through space, which may cause the signal strength to worsen the farther away a device is from the router.
Poor quality routers or network switches may also be a cause. Additionally, metal or other objects may cause interference if the router is using a 5GHz frequency.
Finally, having two networks with the same name may confuse the cameras, causing them to disconnect and never automatically reconnect.
4. Power Outage
The cause of a power outage affecting a Vivint doorbell camera is mainly due to disruption in the internet service, maintenance work, or natural disasters such as severe weather. Loss of electricity sources, nonpayment of bills, inadequate power supply, and too many devices connected to one breaker has also been known to cause power outages.
In the case of a power outage, users may need to reset their breaker system or arrange a power source to transform the power of 16VAC. Battery-powered security cameras may still operate during an outage provided that the batteries have sufficient charge until power restoration.
5. Household Electronic Devices
Interference from other wireless devices, inadequate bandwidth, using the wrong wireless channel, and having the same name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks can all be potential causes of a Vivint doorbell camera going offline.
These issues can cause the camera to lose signal strength, disconnect from the internet, or even shut down completely. Poor signal can also lead to a decrease in image quality and night vision capabilities.
6. Wi-Fi Router Issues
Poor signal transmission capabilities of a low-quality router, inability of the router to accommodate the internet service’s bandwidth, network switch failure, insufficient internet connection, outdated firmware, insufficient bandwidth, interference from other Wi-Fi networks, interference from common household electronics, and stored cache that can bog down the network.
Additionally, if your camera is too far away from the router or there are physical obstructions between them, the signal may be blocked, which could cause the camera to go offline.
7. App and Software Issues
What are some app and software issues that can cause a Vivint doorbell camera to go offline? [Expanded list] App and software issues that may be causing the Vivint doorbell camera to go offline include outdated applications, glitches or errors in the Vivint application, poor internet connection or bandwidth, and inadequate device-system communication.
How to fix the issue of your Vivint doorbell camera going offline?
Check the power issue
How can you check if the power issue is causing your Vivint doorbell camera to go offline? [Step-by-step instructions]
- Check the doorbell light ring. If the light is illuminated, then power is fine.
- If the light is not illuminated, head to the breaker box and see if the switch is tripped. If yes, flip it back on.
- If the switch is not tripped, check the chime box and ensure all the wires are properly twisted together, and no wire is exposed.
- Open the backplate of your doorbell using a T5 screwdriver and ensure all connections are fine.
- Check your Wi-Fi router and ensure that all the wires are correctly plugged in and receiving the required power.
- Remove the battery from the doorbell and wait for at least 5 minutes. After that, re-insert the battery and see if your doorbell is online.
- If the issue persists, replace the battery to solve the offline issue with your doorbell.
Upgrade the security camera’s wireless channel
Upgrading the security camera’s wireless channel to fix the issue of the Vivint doorbell camera going offline is a simple process.
Find out which wireless channel the security camera is using by checking all the wireless devices in the household. If it’s using the 2.4GHz channel, you can switch it to the 5GHz channel for faster data transmission and stronger radio signals.
Next, make sure that the networks have different names. Having the same name can confuse the camera and cause it to disconnect and not reconnect automatically.
If you can’t move the camera closer to the router or buy a Wi-Fi extender, consider hardwiring the security camera to the router with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) to strengthen and stabilize data transmission signals.
Once you’ve followed these steps, your Vivint doorbell camera should be back online.
Update the security camera’s firmware
To update the security camera’s firmware and fix the issue of your Vivint doorbell camera going offline, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Vivint Smart Home App and select the Devices tab.
- Select your doorbell camera and then check for available updates.
- Install any updates that are available.
- Move your camera closer to your router if possible to reduce the number of physical obstructions between the camera and router.
- Change the channel on your router to reduce interference from other WiFi networks.
- Position your router a few feet away from any household electronics that could cause wireless interference.
- Make sure you are using a broadband plan with at least 2 Mbps upload speed per camera and that you are not consuming too much bandwidth.
- Upgrade to the latest firmware version through the iSecurity+ app or online.
- Try switching positions between where the camera is located and where a camera works well to see if the camera performs better in a different location.
- Unplug your router once a month for 30 seconds and then plug it back in to clear out any unnecessary stored cache.
Try resetting your Vivint doorbell
If your Vivint Doorbell Camera is offline, then resetting it could help. Here are the steps to reset your Vivint doorbell camera:
- Press and hold the doorbell camera button for 10-15 seconds
- Keep holding it for 10-15 seconds through the various colors until you see the light turn yellow a second time.
Note: do not hold the button down for 20+ seconds as the LED will go red and will reset the DBC to defaults.
Move the security camera next to the Wi-Fi router
- Locate the Vivint doorbell camera and the Wi-Fi router.
- Measure the distance between the two devices. This will help you plan the best way to move the camera closer to the router.
- If you cannot physically move the camera, consider getting a Wi-Fi extender, such as the NETGEAR EX6120. These devices strengthen and extend the signal range of your router, allowing the camera to retain its position while strengthening its data transmission.
Check wireless interference
Check all of your wireless devices to determine what channel they are using. If you have a 2.4GHz device, try to switch it to the 5GHz channel, and vice versa. This will help prevent interference between different devices.
If you have multiple wireless networks in the same area, make sure that each one has a unique name. If the networks have the same name, the devices may get confused and have difficulty connecting.
Make sure that your Vivint doorbell camera is close to your router. Distance is a factor that can affect wireless connectivity, so try to reduce the number of physical obstructions between the camera and router.
Check for wireless interference from common household devices. These include televisions, microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. Try to position your router a few feet away from these devices to improve performance.
Finally, make sure that you have sufficient bandwidth at home. If the bandwidth is too low, it could cause your doorbell camera to go offline. Therefore, you should check your router settings and upgrade your internet connection if necessary.
Restart your modem or router
If your Vivint doorbell camera is going offline, you can restart your modem or router to try and fix the issue. To restart your modem or router, you can follow these steps:
- Unplug your router from the power source for 30 seconds.
- Once the router is unplugged, disconnect all of its cables, including the internet one.
- After 30 seconds, plug your router back into the power source and re-attach all of its cables.
- Wait for the router to reboot and ensure all the lights on it are turned on and are either green, blue, or white, depending on the model of your router.
- Test by taking your camera close to the router and trying to reconnect the Vivint doorbell camera to the WiFi.
- If the issue persists, call your Internet service provider in regards to the state of your Internet connectivity.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue with your Vivint doorbell camera going offline.
Reboot your doorbell camera
To reboot your Vivint Doorbell Camera, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds. The camera will then reboot and restart the initialization process.
How do I reset my Vivint Doorbell Camera?
If you are experiencing issues with your Vivint Doorbell Camera, you may need to reset it. Resetting your doorbell camera can be done in a few easy steps.
First, press and hold the button on the face of the camera for 10-15 seconds until the light turns yellow. Once the light turns yellow, release the button and wait until it turns white.
This will restart your doorbell and fix any software-related issues.
FAQs
Does my router affect my Vivint Doorbell Camera?
Yes, your router can have an effect on your Vivint Doorbell Camera. If the router is located too far from the device or the network signals are blocked by walls and other objects, then the doorbell may show offline in the app.
Additionally, the Vivint system works best with a dual-band router—broadcasting on 2.4GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, so if your router doesn’t have dual bands, it might be causing the issue. You can also experience offline issues if you’ve changed your Wi-Fi name or password. To fix this, you’ll need to connect the camera to the new Wi-Fi.
How do I check the firmware on my Vivint Doorbell Camera?
Checking the firmware on your Vivint Doorbell Camera is an important part of ensuring your device remains secure and up to date. The following steps will guide you through the process of checking the firmware on your Vivint Doorbell Camera:
- Open the Vivint Smart Home app and select the Devices tab.
- Select your doorbell camera and tap on the ‘Check for Updates option.
- The app will now search for the latest firmware version and display any available updates.
- If an update is available, you can install it by tapping the ‘Install’ button.
- Once the update is complete, your doorbell camera will be running the latest version of the firmware.
Why is my front doorbell camera offline?
Why is my front doorbell camera offline? There are several potential causes that could lead to this issue. Network error or a problem with the Wi-Fi connection is the most common cause for a Vivint doorbell camera to show an offline status. Power issues within the camera, such as low-powered batteries, could also be to blame.
Additionally, errors or glitches in the Vivint app, issues with the router, incorrect Wi-Fi setup, and problems within the panel or hub could all lead to an offline status for the camera. To fix the issue, try rebooting the router, performing a power cycle on the doorbell, and checking the batteries. If that doesn’t work, then contact Vivint customer support.