Imagine hearing strange noises outside your house…
You’re sure there’s someone out there.
But when you check your ADT doorbell’s saved clips…
There are no recordings at all.
Frustrating, right?
But that doesn’t have to happen to you.
Allow me to teach you ways to fix a problematic doorbell camera.
Continue reading to learn:
- 7 easy fixes to get your ADT doorbell camera to start recording clips.
- A setting on the Pulse app that you should turn on before your camera can record.
- Why you need a strong WiFi connection for your doorbell camera to record properly.
- And more…
Why is my ADT doorbell camera not recording?
Your ADT doorbell camera isn’t recording due to a glitch in the Pulse app. And if you’re trying to record automatically, the Automations setting might be off. Another reason for the camera’s failure to record is unstable WiFi. And it can also happen if the device’s battery charge is low.
ADT doorbell camera not recording: 7 easy fixes
#1: Close and relaunch the ADT Pulse app
There are 2 ways to save clips on an ADT doorbell camera:
- By manually pressing the Record button.
- By enabling the automated video capturing option.
If you’re trying to do it manually, but it’s just not recording…
First, try to re-press the Record button lightly. You don’t need to press and hold it.
There should be a blinking red dot on the button itself if it’s recording.
But if it still won’t start capturing videos after tapping it multiple times…
It’s possibly due to a software glitch in the Pulse app. And that’s among the most common reasons an ADT doorbell camera won’t record.
And resolving it is really easy…
All you have to do is close the app from your mobile device. And then relaunch.
Now, I know some iOS and Android owners think swiping up once is enough to close an app.
But that’s not really accurate. It just hides an app, but it’s still running. So please refer to the guide below on how to do it correctly.
How to properly close an app on an iOS or Android device
- Swipe the app from the bottom to the middle of the screen.
- Lift your finger from the screen once the app’s in the center.
- Swipe the app from the middle to the top of the screen.
After closing, I’d advise you to wait about 2 to 3 minutes before relaunching it.
“Why so?”
You’re allowing the app to shut down completely by waiting a few minutes. So you’re giving it a fresh start once you reopen it. And that should fix the software glitch.
#2: Ensure that the automated video recording option is on
I mentioned in the previous fix that there’s an automated way for your camera to record.
If this is what you’re trying to do…
There’s actually a setting that you need to turn on in the Pulse app. It’s called Automations.
If it’s off, your doorbell camera won’t record automatically. So ensure that you toggle this option on.
How to enable automated video recording on the Pulse app
Step #1: From the Pulse app’s dashboard, click Doorbell.
Step #2: Scroll down and select the Automations tile.
Step #3: Tap Cameras.
Step #4: Look for that doorbell camera. Then tap it.
Step #4: Tap the toggle button beside your doorbell camera to turn on automated recordings.
Once it’s on, your doorbell camera should start recording clips when it detects motion.
You can then view these videos on the app.
How to access your doorbell camera’s saved clips on Pulse
- Click the Menu icon on the top left part of the screen.
- Look for the Videos option and tap it.
- On the Videos page, tap the Saved tab.
You should see the recordings from there.
#3: Restart your mobile device
Your mobile device can be just as responsible for the camera’s failure to record.
What exactly do I mean by that?
Well, your phone’s software might be the one malfunctioning, not the Pulse application. And that’s why you couldn’t get the app to work properly.
So what should you do then?
You must perform a restart on your device.
If you’re an iPhone owner…
Press and hold the right side and Volume Down buttons.
Then slide the Power toggle to the right. And turn your phone back on after a minute by pressing and holding the right button again.
As for Android phones…
Depending on the manufacturer, the process may vary slightly on how to turn it off. But usually, there’s a power button on the side.
Just press and hold it. And when a power menu appears, tap Restart.
#4: Check if there are issues with your WiFi connection
Aside from app and OS glitches…
Poor WiFi connection will also prevent your doorbell camera from recording.
To fully understand why…
Let me try to explain ADT’s process of saving videos.
Whenever an ADT camera captures a clip, it won’t store it on the owner’s mobile device.
Instead, it’ll upload the clip to ADT’s servers. You can then access that video through the Pulse app.
And as you may know, uploading to a server’s impossible without the internet. So if the camera knows it can’t upload, it also won’t record.
So what you should do is fix your internet connection.
An easy way to do that’s by simply restarting your modem and router.
Sometimes, a soft reset’s all it takes to get your WiFi up and running again. Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off your modem and router by unplugging them from the outlet.
- Wait for around 1 to 2 minutes.
- Plug both devices back to power them on.
Now, wait another few seconds until your smartphone reconnects to WiFi. And then relaunch the Pulse app and try to record again.
You might also like: 7 Best Doorbell Cameras Without WiFi
#5: Use a WiFi extender to boost your doorbell camera’s signal
It’s also possible that your WiFi connection has no issues. But the doorbell camera isn’t receiving enough signal. That’s why it can’t record.
It can happen if the router’s too far from your ADT device.
And one clue that the camera’s losing or not getting enough signal is through its LED light.
It’ll start blinking red if the connection’s poor.
So how can you resolve that?
There are a couple of ways.
One’s to move the router as close as possible to the doorbell camera. Ideally, the distance should be within 30 feet (10 meters).
If it’s not possible, I suggest you use a WiFi extender. It’s a device that can boost the reach of your router.
Here are some of the best extenders under $50 that you can buy:
Now, if you want to know more about how a WiFi extender works, you may watch this:
#6: Charge the doorbell camera
Another common reason why an ADT doorbell won’t record is it’s low on charge.
Obviously, this applies to battery-operated variants.
An ADT doorbell camera’s battery normally lasts around 3 months after every charge.
So if you’ve been using it for a few months now, you should recharge it.
Just unmount it from its location. And then plug it into a USB power source, like a laptop.
“How long will I need to recharge my doorbell camera?”
ADT’s official site suggests you do it between 6 and 8 hours. That’s approximately how long it’ll take to achieve a full charge.
After that, the doorbell camera would be good to go for another 3 months at least.
#7: Perform a reset on the doorbell camera
As a last resort, if none of the other fixes work, then consider resetting the doorbell camera.
The reset will remove the camera from the Pulse app. So you’ll have to set it up and enroll it again.
How to reset an ADT doorbell camera
Step #1: Unmount the doorbell camera from its bracket.
Step #2: Look for the Reset button on the back of the doorbell camera. It’s in the upper left portion.
Step #3: Press and hold the Reset button for 15 seconds and release.
After resetting, check the Pulse app. The doorbell camera should no longer be there.
At this point, you may now re-enroll it to the app.
How to re-add the camera to Pulse
Step #1: From the app’s dashboard, select Manage Devices.
Step #2: Click Cameras and tap Add Using WPS.
Step #3: Type in the doorbell camera’s WPS PIN. It’s an 8-digit number that you can find at the back of the device. Then click Continue.
Step #4: Press and hold the Reset button for 5 seconds. Then let it go to begin the WPS enrollment process.
Once the camera’s LED light turns green, it means the re-adding was successful. There’s no need for a subscription. Your doorbell camera should now work properly.
So you may go back to the Pulse app. And try to re-record a clip manually.
Bonus: Get in touch with ADT’s support team
Is your ADT doorbell camera still not recording?
If so, there might be a hardware issue with the device. And you should leave it to the hands of an expert.
So contact ADT’s support team. You may call them at 1-800-587-4198. They operate 24/7.
And they should be able to inform you of where you can take your camera for repair.