Doorbird Not Working? A Complete Troubleshooting Guide
When your Doorbird video intercom system stops working, it can be a major inconvenience, affecting both your security and your ability to manage visitors. Whether the device is completely offline, the video feed has failed, or you're simply not receiving notifications, these problems need a swift resolution.
This comprehensive guide is designed to help you diagnose and solve the most common issues with your Doorbird device, covering everything from power and network connectivity to app settings.
## Common Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Doorbird
First, let's identify the specific problem you're facing. Common symptoms include:
- Device is Offline: The Doorbird app shows your device as "Offline" and you cannot access the live view.
- No Power: The device shows no signs of life—the button is not illuminated and night vision LEDs do not turn on in the dark.
- No Video or Audio: You can connect to the device, but the video stream is black or the audio doesn't work.
- Button Press Fails: Someone presses the doorbell button, but you do not receive a push notification on your phone, and the indoor chime does not ring.
- Night Vision Not Working: The video feed is completely dark at night.
- Cannot Connect Locally: You are unable to connect to the Doorbird even when your smartphone is on the same local network.
- Poor Quality Stream: The video is choppy, pixelated, or frequently freezes.
## Step-by-Step Doorbird Troubleshooting
Follow these methodical steps to find the source of the problem and get your Doorbird working again.
### 1. Diagnose Power Supply Issues
A stable power supply is the foundation of your Doorbird's operation.
- Check Your Power Source: Doorbird devices can be powered in two ways.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): If you use PoE, check that the PoE switch or PoE injector is powered on and functioning correctly. Look for link/activity lights on the port connected to the Doorbird. Try a different port on the switch if one is available.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU): If you use the plug-in adapter, ensure it is firmly seated in a working electrical socket.
- Inspect Wiring: Check the cables connecting to the back of the Doorbird. Ensure the power wires are securely fastened in the terminals.
### 2. Resolve Network Connectivity Problems
Network issues are the most common cause of a Doorbird being offline or having a poor quality stream.
- For Wi-Fi Connections:
- Check Signal Strength: The Doorbird needs a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal. Thick exterior walls can significantly weaken the signal. Use a Wi-Fi analyser app on your phone near the Doorbird's location to check the signal strength. It should ideally be better than -65 dBm.
- Reboot Your Router: A simple router reboot can often fix temporary connection issues.
- Check Wi-Fi Band: Ensure your Doorbird is connected to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Most Doorbird models are not compatible with 5 GHz networks.
- For Wired Ethernet Connections:
- Check the Cable: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both the Doorbird and your router or network switch. Check the cable for any signs of damage.
- Check Port Lights: Look at the Ethernet port on your router/switch. There should be flashing lights indicating a data connection. If there are no lights, there may be a problem with the cable or the port.
- Check Router and Firewall Settings: In rare cases, a firewall on your router could be blocking the Doorbird's connection. Ensure that outgoing connections are not being blocked for the Doorbird's IP address.
### 3. Troubleshoot App and Notification Settings
If the device is online but certain functions aren't working, the problem may be in the app's configuration.
- Check Notification Schedules: Open the Doorbird app and go to
Administration>Schedule for Pushes. Make sure you haven't accidentally configured a schedule that silences notifications at certain times. - Verify Phone's Notification Settings: Go into your smartphone's main settings menu and find the notification settings for the Doorbird app. Ensure that it is allowed to send you push notifications.
- Check User Permissions: If you have multiple users, ensure the user account you are logged in with has the necessary permissions to receive notifications and access the camera.
### 4. Address Hardware-Specific Functions
- Night Vision: If night vision isn't working, go to the
Administrationsection in the app and find the expert settings for the camera. Ensure that the IR filter and night-vision LEDs are enabled. - Doorbell Chime: If your internal, hard-wired chime isn't ringing, double-check the wiring between the Doorbird and the chime. Also, check the schedule settings for the relay that triggers the chime.