If you notice that your ADT camera is not recording videos anymore, you should address the issue right away since the lack of footage may compromise the whole purpose of your security camera system.
You can either ask an ADT technician to stop and pay some fat fees, or you can troubleshoot and fix it yourself by following the guide shown in this article.
ADT surveillance cameras work in this manner: the system has a built-in motion detector per each camera and once any movement is detected, the system will record and store the clip locally or on the cloud (depending on the model you own). Then the user can browse the content and playback or retrieve the recordings for certain incidents.
However, sometimes the system stops recording for no apparent reason. The worst thing is when something happens and you have no footage! Let’s explain why AT cameras stop recording.
The main reasons that cause ADT cameras to stop recording:
- Not enough power
- No within the WiFi range or other connectivity issues
- Not enough space to store the footage
- Settings problems such as motion detection not enabled or misconfigured.
How to fix ADT camera not recording clips
To troubleshoot the camera you need to understand the basic principles of how it works. First thing, the camera needs to be powered up and connected to the internet.
Second, the setting must be configured to allow the camera to record motion. If some of these parameters are off, the camera won’t record anything. Let’s check them out one by one.
Check if the camera has power
If your ADT camera is not powered up, it’s obvious that it can’t record anything. Reach the camera and inspect the indicators. Most ADT cameras come with LED indications such as a power light that should light up when powered.
If the camera is wired, trace the power cable and ensure it’s connected to a power outlet or source. If your camera is battery-powered (such as the ADT Blue series) ensure that the cameras are charged. If the batteries are expired or about to, then the camera will struggle to stay powered on.
Another way to see if the camera has power is by checking the phone app. If you go on the video feed and see a black screen instead, most likely the camera is not sending out any signal to the main unit which is an indication of power loss.
Check the camera’s motion detection settings
The security cameras use the motion detection feature to detect movement and trigger the recording. If the motion does not trigger the camera, then it won’t record. So, it’s important to check the motion detection settings and ensure the configuration is done properly.
First, the motion has to be enabled. Then you need to adjust a few other settings such as the sensitivity, the arming state, the time frame of recording, the object size, etc.
You need to access your system via ADT’s online website (for some models you can access it via the phone app) and navigate to the Video section and then Recording Rules. Click Add Rule and then select VMD (Video Motion Detection).
ADT cameras record the clips based on the rules following the homeowner’s needs. These rules govern when the recordings are triggered, how long to record once the action is finished, etc. Some factors that you need to check:
- The minimum delay between triggered-camera clips is not correct.
- The camera is sMake sure the option to record when the system is disarmed is ticked.
- Set to record “At all times” (this is the recording schedule).
- The minimum delays between the clips are set properly.
Also, you need to go to Video > Settings, select the camera, and then hit the Video Motion Detection button. Here you can choose the sensitivity and target size (the lower the target size, the easier the camera will get triggered).
Check the WiFi signal
For some ADT surveillance systems, it’s important to have proper WiFi coverage, especially if you’re using outdoor wireless cameras. If your WiFi connection is weak or unstable, then the signal will drop constantly and the cameras can’t communicate and send the footage to the central hub.
You can check your WiFi signal strength by accessing the camera via the ADT app and you should see an indication there that lets the user know if the signal is good enough. Additionally, you may use other phone apps that analyze the WiFi connection in various spots in the location.
If the signal quality is low, you either need to upgrade the access points or install stronger WiFi routers that offer larger and stronger coverage.
You can also bring the camera close to the WiFi device. Additionally, you may install WiFi extenders to improve the coverage.
Check the cloud storage
Another thing that you need to check is the cloud storage capacity and if the limit has been reached. The capacity depends on your system type and the contract. The more cameras in the system, the less storage. Normally the footage will be overwritten automatically, but sometimes the settings are not correct.
You can check the settings via your ADT phone app or by accessing the website. If you have bookmarked certain clips that are no longer needed, make sure to erase them to extend your storage capacity.
Update the firmware
As a rule of thumb, you always have to ensure that your cameras, app, and any monitoring software are updated to the latest version. Outdated software may contain bugs and errors that don’t allow the device to communicate correctly.
Updating your software is usually as easy as going to your ADT app on your phone or the ADT website on your desktop computer and updating it to the latest version.
Updating the firmware on your ADT camera is like updating the software. However, this may not always be possible to do without a technician. Access the phone app and see if there’s an option to update. If not, you will need to contact ADT for technical assistance.
Conclusion
If your ADT camera is not recording clips, check your system settings such as the motion detection, ensure the camera is powered on, check the WiFi connection, etc.
Try these suggestions listed above before calling ADT which will charge you if a technician is dispatched. If you still can’t make it work, contact ADT via their official website.
