Are you looking for an easy guide to help you troubleshoot your Amcrest doorbell? You have come to the right place. While Amcrest doorbells are designed to be reliable and easy to use, there is still a chance you may need assistance. Dealing with minor malfunctions as well as setting up your doorbell.
This how-to guide seeks to collate all necessary information to fix your Amcrest doorbell should it develop issues while in use.
How to set up Amcrest doorbell
First, connect the doorbell to power, then use an Ethernet cable to connect it to Wi-Fi. Then login to the Amcrest web interface and add the device to your Amcrest Surveillance Pro account.
How to set up your doorbell on the Amcrest Smart Home App over Wi-Fi
This is the first stop for all Amcrest doorbell setups. You cannot add the doorbell to any other Amcrest apps or software before setting it up on this app.
- Open the Amcrest Smart Home app and click on “Register” to register an account or log into the app and tap on “Add Device.”
- Scan the QR code at the bottom of your camera or manually enter the serial number by tapping “Manually enter SN.” The serial number should be on the serial tag at the bottom of your camera.
- Click on Wi-Fi Setup and click Next to continue and allow all permissions to enable the device to connect to your mobile device.
- Create a password and add a recovery email and Tap “OK” to continue.
- Select your Wi-Fi network from the Wi-Fi list, enter the password for your Wi-Fi network, and tap “Connect”.
- The LED indicator on the front of the camera will have a solid light once a Wi-Fi connection is established.
- Tap “Next” to continue.
- Name the doorbell and verify the time zone information.
- Then tap Start Live View to view your camera.
Note: If the LED is still flashing or the device is reporting “Wi-Fi password is incorrect,” please tap “Start Over” to repeat the Wi-Fi Setup process.
How to set up your doorbell on the Amcrest Smart Home App over Ethernet
Before you start the setup process, you will need to connect the doorbell to your internet network using an Ethernet cable. The cable port is located at the back of the camera. Also, ensure the camera is powered either by connecting it directly into the circuit or using the provided micro USB power cable/adapter.
- Open the Amcrest Smart Home App and register or log in.
- Click on “Add Device.”
- Scan the QR code at the bottom of your camera or manually enter the serial number by tapping “Manually enter SN.” The serial number should be on the serial tag at the bottom of your camera.
- Then tap on “Ethernet Only Setup.”
- Ensure your mobile device and phone are on the same network during setup.
- Then tap on the “Phone and Device are on same network” checkbox once confirmed. Tap “Next” to continue.
- Create a password and add a recovery email and Tap “OK” to continue.
- You can then set up the Wi-Fi using the process described below.
- Name the doorbell and verify the time zone information.
- Then tap Start Live View to view your camera.
How to set up your doorbell on the Amcrest Surveillance Pro Software
Follow the steps below to add the doorbell Amcrest Surveillance Pro account.
- Your PC or laptop must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the doorbell during the setup.
- Ensure you set up the doorbell on the Amcrest Smart Home app before adding it to any additional software.
- Log into your Amcrest Surveillance Pro software account.
- Then click on the menu and click on Add.
- Use the Amcrest IP Config tool to locate the IP address for your device from the network. You can access device information on the Amcrest Smart home app to find your IP address.
- Name your doorbell on the Amcrest Surveillance Pro software and add the IP address for the device in the IP Address field.
- Create a username and password for the doorbell and press add.
- The online status should be green to indicate the connection is successful.
- Then go to the Live View option and locate the newly added device in the assigned Group menu. Double click the doorbell to view the live feed.
Note: The timeline for adding your camera onto the Amcrest Cloud is 2-hours. Then you can add the doorbell to the Amcrest Smart Home app. You should only add the doorbell to the Amcrest View Pro app after adding it to the Amcrest Smart Home app.
Amcrest doorbell chime not working.
Unscrew the doorbell button and test for current continuity. Then touch the two wires together if the bell rings, then the button is broken and needs to be replaced. If the bell does not ring, the wire connection is faulty and needs to be fixed. Check to see if there is continuity at the circuit breaker and fix it is defective.
How to setup motion detection
It is essential to configure your camera, so it detects motion without receiving false alerts. Fortunately, it is super easy and fast.
Setup process;
- Login to your camera via the web interface and click on Setup.
- Then click on the Event tab and then Video Detect.
- You will see the Motion Detect configuration screen.
- Then proceed to customize the motion detection settings.
- After the motion detection zone is set, click the Save button to exit the motion detection screen.
- The window will close and click Save once more to apply the changes in the Motion Detect screen.’
Various motion detection settings and their functionalities include;
Schedule:
Create a weekly schedule for recordings to occur. Click and drag the green bars to set motion detection for certain days of the week. You can also enter dates manually at the bottom of the window.
Once you are done, click Save, and the window will close automatically. Then click Save once more to apply the changes in the Motion Detect screen.
Anti-Dither:
This time value controls how long the alarm signal lasts. Based on motion detection, a buzzer can go off, a tour can begin, PTZ can be activated, a snapshot can be taken, or the camera can begin recording.
Detection Area:
Clicking Setup opens a window where you can adjust the detection areas where motion occurs, its sensitivity, and threshold values. A live stream of the video will appear, along with options to set the Region. Each region can be set to have its name, sensitivity, and threshold values. You can customize a total of four regions; video recording, snapshots,email notification, and record delay before alarm activation.
Note: You can adjust the sensitivity and threshold values to ensure false motion is not detected. Motion that’s triggered will be seen as red bars. Motion that’s detected but not triggered will be seen as green bars.
Refer to your setup manual regarding customizing sensitivity and threshold to avoid detection of clouds and trees. And to ensure the alarm is triggered should motion reaches your determined threshold.
Amcrest doorbell motion detection is not working.
Check the web interface to see if the detection area is selected under the motion detection feature. You should also set the sensitivity on high to ensure it can detect even the slightest movement. Then you should check if you set the schedule for recording. Click on Setup > Storage > Schedule. If this does not work, contact the Amcrest support team.
Amcrest doorbell firmware upgrade guide
Outdated firmware may cause your doorbell to malfunction as it may not sync with some of the updated App features and functions. As such, updating your doorbell’s firmware is a necessary step. Here are the steps you need to follow when updating your doorbell’s firmware;
- Please note that you cannot update your firmware through your Amcrest App. You have to do it via a laptop or PC.
- Check if your firmware is up to date by clicking the “Check Version” button. If no firmware upgrades are present, no further action is necessary.
- Go to your Doorbell camera’s web UI and click on Setup>>System>>Upgrade.
- Then find the downloaded firmware update (.bin) on your downloads or from your designated folder for downloads and upload it onto the web UI.
- Press “Upgrade” to start the upgrade process.
- Your device will reboot automatically once the update is completed.
- The reboot varies from camera to camera. But once it is done, you will be able to access the camera’s web UI.
- Note: should you find that your camera settings have changed and you wish to revert to your old settings, you can perform a factory reset to restore your camera’s default settings.
How to factory reset your Amcrest doorbell
The manufacturer recommends that you delete your device from your Amcrest Smart Home account before performing the factory reset.
Reset process
- Remove the front faceplate and the protective faceplate of the doorbell.
- Locate the reset button on the side of the device.
- Press and hold it down until the device indicates the reset is done, which should take at least 2 minutes.
- The LED indicator on the front of the doorbell will begin to flash blue.
- The login details will also reset to the initial Admin username and password.
How to connect Amcrest doorbell to Wi-Fi
If your device loses internet connectivity once you remove the Ethernet cable after the initial setup, it may not have connected to your Wi-Fi correctly. To remedy this, you need to connect it to your Wi-Fi manually. Here are the steps necessary to establish an internet connection;
- Ensure your doorbell is connected to power before you start the process.
- Then connect your doorbell to your internet network using an Ethernet cable.
- Then proceed to access your doorbell’s web UI on a laptop or PC via internet explorer, Chrome, or Safari.
- Once you have logged in, click on Setup>>Network>> Wi-Fi. On the Wi-Fi menu, click on the Enable checkbox to enable the Wi-Fi settings for your device.
- Click on your Wi-Fi on the Wi-Fi list and input your Wi-Fi password in the Input Password field.
- Then click on the Connect icon to connect your doorbell to your Wi-Fi.
- You will see the Wi-Fi information for your network on the web UI once the connection is established.
- Log out of the web UI and disconnect the Ethernet cable. The doorbell should remain connected to Wi-Fi afterward.
How to ensure your doorbell establishes network connection and stays connected.
If you cannot connect to your Wi-Fi network, you may need to look at your Wi-Fi network setup. You also need to take steps to ensure you have sufficient bandwidth to handle the doorbell. Here are key issues you need to consider for your Wi-Fi connection;
Wi-Fi speed
For proper camera connection, ensure your Wi-Fi has strong upload and download speeds. The upload speed plays a more significant part when it comes to IP cameras. The ideal upload speed is 1.5 MB/s per camera to run at 1080P, whereas a 4MP may require 3 MB/s upload speed.
The higher the resolution of the camera, the more upload speed it will require. And lower resolution cameras will require lower upload speeds. You also need to ensure you account for other devices connecting to the network.
Proximity to the router
The distance between the router and your doorbell can affect connectivity. The larger the distance, the higher the chances of interference. Move your router closer to your doorbell for better connectivity. Alternatively, you can use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal.
You can also set up the doorbell connection as a bridge connection and turn off any DHCP features on it to reduce network lag. You can refer to your manual for more clarification on settings adjustment.
Reduce blockage
Your Wi-Fi signal reduces as it passes through a different medium. It reduces by 10-30% while passing through plastic and wood, 30-50% while passing through brick, 50-70% while passing through concrete cinder blocks, and 70-90% while passing through metal and metal cladding.
Additionally, the Wi-Fi signal strength also gets reduced when passing through shrubs and trees. To minimize interference, ensure there is a minimal blockage between the doorbell and the Wi-Fi router.
Camera settings
You need to ensure that your doorbell is on the same network as your setup web UI or App. This means that your phone cannot be on a cellular data plan while setting up the doorbell. It must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the doorbell. To prevent IP change, set it to static on the web UI.
Check this too: Wyze Doorbell How-to and Troubleshooting Guide
The Amcrest doorbell keeps disconnecting.
The leading cause of the disconnection is internet connectivity. You can try the following solutions to try and resolve the issue;
- Move your camera closer to your router.
- Ensure no objects are blocking the signal, such as walls, floors, metal, concrete, and plaster. Try your level best to minimize physical obstructions between the camera and router.
- Ensure there is no interference from other Wi-Fi networks. If you live in an apartment complex, multiple networks operating on the same channel may cause interference. Change the channel on your router to minimize network channel interference.
- Check to see if your other electronic gadgets such as televisions, microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones are causing wireless interference. Then move your router a few feet away from these devices to improve your router’s performance.
- Check your network bandwidth to see if you have enough upload and download speed to connect your doorbell and camera. And upgrade your broadband plan if the speed is too slow.
- Perform a firmware update to improve the connectivity of the cameras.
- Switch camera position to determine if the camera or the location is the issue.
- Unplug your router for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This will help to clear out any unnecessary stored cache that may be bogging down your network.
- If all the solutions listed above do not work, do a factory reset and reprogram the doorbell. And if this fails too, contact the Amcrest support team.