Are Your Doorbird Notifications Arriving Too Late?
A key feature of your Doorbird video doorbell is the ability to get instant alerts on your smartphone when someone presses the button or motion is detected. However, if these notifications are significantly delayed, you might open the app only to find your visitor has already walked away. This notification lag can be frustrating and can undermine the security and convenience the device is meant to provide.
Notification delays are almost always caused by a network issue that slows down the communication between your Doorbird, the cloud servers, and your phone. This guide will help you identify the bottlenecks and take steps to make your alerts as close to real-time as possible.
## Step 1: Strengthen Your Wi-Fi Connection
The journey of a push notification starts with your Doorbird's connection to your home network. A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause of lag.
- Check Signal Strength: Your Doorbird needs a strong and stable Wi-Fi signal to send data quickly. Check the network status for the device in the Doorbird app. If the signal is weak, this is your primary area to focus on.
- Improve Your Signal:
- Move your Wi-Fi router closer to your front door.
- If moving the router is not an option, install a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh network node near the Doorbird to boost the signal in that area.
- Ensure the signal is not being blocked by thick brick or concrete walls.
## Step 2: Optimise Your Network for Speed
Even with a strong signal, overall network performance matters.
- Check Upload Speed: Your internet connection's upload speed is critical. The Doorbird needs to upload data to its servers to trigger the notification. Run a speed test on your phone while connected to your Wi-Fi near the door. You should have a consistent upload speed of at least 2 Mbps.
- Reduce Network Congestion: If many other devices on your network are using bandwidth (e.g., streaming, gaming, downloading), it can slow everything down. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that allow you to prioritise traffic from specific devices like your Doorbird.
## Step 3: Check Your Smartphone's Settings
The problem might not be with your Doorbird or home network, but with your mobile device itself.
- Disable Aggressive Battery Saving: Some Android and iOS battery-saving or "power optimisation" modes can delay push notifications from apps to conserve power. Make sure the Doorbird app is exempted from these settings.
- Check App Permissions: Go into your phone's settings and ensure the Doorbird app has all the necessary permissions, including the ability to send notifications and use background data.
- Use a Solid Mobile Connection: If you are away from home, a poor 4G or 5G signal on your phone will delay how quickly you receive the alert.
## Step 4: Consider a Wired Connection
For the ultimate in speed and reliability, nothing beats a wired Ethernet connection. If your Doorbird model has an Ethernet port and it is feasible to run a cable to it, this will eliminate Wi-Fi as a potential cause of latency and provide the fastest possible notification speed.