Is Your Doorbird Not Recording? A UK Troubleshooting Guide
It can be unsettling when you realise your Doorbird video doorbell isn't recording as it should. These devices are a crucial part of your home security, and a gap in your recording history means a gap in your protection. Whether you're missing motion-triggered events or doorbell presses, this guide will walk you through the common causes and solutions to get your Doorbird recording again.
Our troubleshooting steps are designed to be straightforward, helping you diagnose the problem methodically. We will cover everything from cloud storage and network connectivity to motion sensor settings.
1. Verify Your Cloud Recording Subscription
The most common reason for a Doorbird to stop recording is an issue with the cloud storage plan. It's essential to check the status of your subscription first.
- Check Subscription Status: Open the Doorbird app and navigate to the settings. Look for a section on 'Cloud Recording' or 'Subscription'. Confirm that your plan is active and your payment details are up to date.
- Free Trial Expiry: Many new devices come with a free trial. If this has recently expired, you will need to subscribe to a paid plan to continue saving recordings.
- History Access: An active subscription is required to access and view the 7-day history of recorded events.
2. Check Motion Detection Settings
If your Doorbird is not recording motion, the sensor settings may be misconfigured. The motion sensor needs to be enabled and properly calibrated to trigger recordings effectively.
- Enable the Motion Sensor: In the app's administration area, find the 'Motion Sensor' settings. Ensure it is switched on.
- Adjust Sensitivity: The sensitivity might be set too low. Try increasing it incrementally to see if it starts detecting movement. Be mindful that setting it too high may result in false alerts from passing cars or pets.
- Define Detection Area: Use the app to draw a specific area for motion detection. This tells the camera where to look for movement, preventing irrelevant alerts and ensuring it records events in the desired zone, such as your pathway or porch.
3. Inspect Network and Power Connection
A stable connection to your network is vital for your Doorbird to upload and save video clips. An intermittent connection can lead to failed recordings.
- Run Network Diagnostics: The Doorbird app has a built-in tool to check its connection to the internet and your router. Use this to check for a stable and strong signal.
- Wi-Fi Signal Strength: If you are using Wi-Fi, ensure the Doorbird has a strong signal. Weak signals can cause uploads to fail. Consider moving your router closer or using a Wi-Fi extender.
- Ethernet and PoE: If your device is connected via an Ethernet cable, check that the cable is securely plugged in at both ends. For Power over Ethernet (PoE) setups, ensure the injector or switch is functioning correctly and providing consistent power. A faulty power supply can cause the device to restart, interrupting recordings.
4. On-Premise Storage (NAS/NVR) Configuration
If you are using a network-attached storage (NAS) or a network video recorder (NVR) instead of the cloud, you will need to check its configuration.
- Check Storage Device: Ensure your NAS or NVR is powered on and connected to the same network as your Doorbird.
- Verify Credentials: Double-check that the username, password, and IP address for the storage device are entered correctly in the Doorbird app's settings.
- Storage Space: Confirm that your storage device has sufficient free space to save new recordings. If it's full, you will need to delete older footage to make room.
By systematically working through these steps, you can identify and resolve the vast majority of issues that prevent a Doorbird from recording. Start with your subscription, move on to settings, and then check your hardware and network connections to ensure your home remains secure.