‎Doorbell will not detect motion | SimpliSafe Support Home
 

2 Messages

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 2:53 PM

Doorbell will not detect motion

Hi I am a recent SimpliSafe convert and am mostly very pleased with the system. There is an issue though that my front doorbell camera will not pick up any motion. I have tried adjusting the sensitivity to high and turning it to “all motion” and still it won’t pick anything up. I’ve stood in front of the doorbell jogging in circles and waving my arms and it doesn’t recognize ANYTHING.

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

2 years ago

Hi @benjamintrap92 ,

Just a couple of things to doublecheck. First, you want to make sure that nothing is obstructing either the lens, nor the infrared emitter (the smaller dark spot on the face). That includes the lens cover, if it's still on!

And I'm assuming that other functions are working? That is, if you access the Video Doorbell through the app, a livestream is going through? And pressing the button should trigger a Push Notification on your phone.

If not, we may want to troubleshoot the WiFi connection. There are some tips for that here.

2 Messages

@davey_d​ figured out exactly what was happening actually. I had no idea “all motion” relied only on the infrared camera, it’s over 100° where I live right now so switching it over actually made the issue worse! Now on “people only” it works like a charm. Hopefully this helps someone else out too!

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@benjamintrap92​ ahah! Yes, All Motion does use the infrared only. The benefit is that any heat-generating object can trigger (and not just things that are people-shaped). But yes, when it's super hot outside, it might have trouble differentiating between people and the background.

3 Messages

@davey_d​  none of the above.  People do not need to run out and buy Wi-Fi extenders. You need to fix your software issues. The doorbells are not picking up motion consistently.

3 Messages

@benjamintrap92​ I tried this but app says “people only” works during the day only. But I want to see people at night too who shouldn’t be at my door.  Does yours say this too?  You’re not concerned with not seeing any trespassers at night? 

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@LauraS I'm not sure what you mean there. The WiFi Extender is intended for solving a range issue, if there is interference that is preventing the signal between the camera and your WiFi access point or router.

Connectivity issues shouldn't be related to the motion sensor - except when a broken connection prevents the camera from sending the signal to the service that motion has been triggered.

But as for your second question, People Only detection only works in the daytime, because it needs a clear image to analyze. At night, the camera reverts to the standard infrared motion sensor. So it will still trigger, by looking for heat-generating objects moving around within view.

3 Messages

2 years ago

As of the last software update, my doorbell will not pick up motion consistently either. Simplisafe has sent me two replacements, and all three of them have updated software and all do not pick up motion consistently. One day it will pick up motion 8 times out of 10, and for the next 5 days,  it’ll pick up motion 1 time out of 10 or not at all.  And there is nothing at all wrong with my Wi-Fi or the signal.   Amazon driver will come to the door, drop off the package, walk back to his truck,  start to pull away, and then the camera will pick up the motion, sometimes. Other times, it’s perfect. But most times, it won’t pick up anything at all. I never had this problem before the last update.  I’ve spent hours on the phone with Simplisafe reps and not one of them know what the problem is. The last rep was rude and suggested that my expectations were too high. But I never had this problem before. Doorbell used to work beautifully before the recent update. 

12 Messages

2 years ago

I have begun experiencin doorbell issues when the outdoor cameras were introduced around a year and a half ago.  They have never resolved and work. arounds by setting to people only etc do not work. I was advised that the most recent  latest issue since most recent software update would resolve the doorbell issue but that is nit the case.  Now, at night, the back doorbell records when the front doorbell detects motion.  Very disappointing.  I have purchased an updated router, outdoor cameras and have had multiple doorbell replacements thru simplisafe.  I think that a software issue occurred with the doorbells when they added the original outdoor cam software to the mix.  I have been hoping that they would resolve these issues especially now that it seems to be more widespread.  I am most likely  going to install a secondary wired camera setup since simplisafe has been a disappointment since its sale to new owners.

2 Messages

1 year ago

These cameras are the worse!!!! It only records cars. I have tried every setting possible and spoken to so many people. I have been told numerous times that an "expert" would call me back to look into my issue. LIES!!!!! I'm on my third replacement camera and it still doesn't work. Save your money and buy a real camera somewhere else.

(edited)

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@diva1104​ I'm very sorry to hear about all this trouble. I checked in with our internal teams and can confirm that someone will reach out to help you with your Video Doorbell as soon as possible. In the meantime, I can also help you troubleshoot your doorbell here in the Community. 

If you let me know what troubleshooting steps you've already taken with our Support team, I can assist you further.

2 Messages

I just connected my doorbell and it detects motion when there is no one.  I have to turn off the notification as it keeps sending few times in an hour.

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2 Messages

10 months ago

I just connected my doorbell and it detects motion when there is no one.  I have to turn off the notification as it keeps sending few times in an hour.

This comment was created from this reply

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@ans3341​ The Video Doorbell Pro detects motion by using its passive infrared (PIR) sensor to detect moving sources of heat in contrast to the outdoor environment. If something like a very small bug could crawl around on the device, or if there's something like a vent near the Video Doorbell Pro, that could cause it to record. 

It can help to adjust the sensitivity of the Video Doorbell Pro to Low and enable People Only motion detection to minimize the number of motion events you get. You can change these settings in the SimpliSafe mobile app by going to Cameras > Tap the gear icon in the top right corner > select [your Video Doorbell Pro] > Motion Detection. After making these changes, be sure to tap Save in the top right corner.

2 Messages

Done that but no luck. Pretty disappointed as my other doorbell didn’t had this issue.

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