Skybell Keeps Disconnecting? Here's How to Fix It
A video doorbell that constantly disconnects is unreliable and frustrating. If your Skybell is frequently dropping its Wi-Fi connection and showing as 'Offline' in the app, this guide will help you identify the cause and find a permanent solution. The problem is almost always related to Wi-Fi signal, power supply, or network interference.
Step 1: Diagnose Your Wi-Fi Signal
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal is the number one cause of intermittent disconnections for smart home devices.
Test Signal Strength at Your Door
Your Skybell needs a consistently strong signal to maintain its connection.
- Use Your Phone: Stand outside by your Skybell and connect your smartphone to the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network your Skybell uses.
- Check Wi-Fi Bars: How many Wi-Fi bars do you see? If you only have one or two, the signal is likely too weak for the Skybell to operate reliably.
- Run a Speed Test: Use a speed test app to check the upload speed. Video doorbells need adequate upload speed to send video to the cloud. A speed of less than 2 Mbps at the door can cause problems.
How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
If the signal is weak, you have a few options:
- Move Your Router: The simplest solution is to move your Wi-Fi router closer to the front door. Avoid placing it in cupboards or behind large electronic devices.
- Install a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi range extender is a device that picks up your existing Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcasts it, strengthening the signal in areas further from the router. This is often the best solution.
- Upgrade to a Mesh Network: A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple nodes placed around your home to create a seamless and powerful network, eliminating dead zones.
Step 2: Verify the Power Supply
Inconsistent power can cause the Skybell to reboot, which looks like a disconnection from the app's perspective.
Check Your Doorbell Transformer
The transformer is a small box, usually located near your main electrical panel or your indoor chime, that steps down your home's voltage for the doorbell.
- Voltage Requirements: Ensure your transformer's voltage rating matches the requirements for your Skybell model (e.g., 10-36 VAC). If the voltage is too low, the Skybell will struggle to stay powered on, especially during night vision or when recording.
- Age of Transformer: Older homes may have transformers that are not powerful enough for smart doorbells. Upgrading to a new transformer is a common and effective fix for power-related disconnection issues.
Step 3: Reduce Network Congestion and Interference
Your home network might be too crowded, or other devices could be causing interference.
Check for Network Congestion
- Too Many Devices: How many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi? If you have dozens of devices all communicating at once, it can overwhelm an older router.
- High-Bandwidth Activities: Is someone in your home streaming 4K movies or gaming online when the disconnections happen? This can sometimes cause the router to de-prioritise traffic to other devices like the Skybell.
Minimise Wireless Interference
Other electronic devices can interfere with the 2.4GHz frequency band.
- Common Culprits: Cordless phones, baby monitors, and even microwave ovens can cause temporary interference when in use. Try to keep these devices away from your Wi--Fi router.
By systematically improving your Wi-Fi signal, ensuring a stable power supply, and reducing network interference, you can solve the frustrating problem of your Skybell constantly disconnecting.