How to fix ADT camera not recording clips

After finding your trash torn to bits, you decide to check your ADT® camera for signs of the culprit. A raccoon? A bear, maybe? Your first stop: the ADT Control® hub. You scour through the gallery in search of recent camera clips and, uh-oh, there’s nothing recorded at all.

We can help. At Asurion, we make tech easy, from fixing broken devices to teaching you everything you need to know about smart home security systems. Here’s our guide on how to troubleshoot the issue of your ADT camera not recording clips.

Why is my ADT camera not recording?

Don’t reset your camera just yet. Instead, take a look at these usual culprits behind ADT cameras not recording so you can quickly find a fix.

Power and battery problems

Sometimes, the issue really is as simple as your camera not receiving enough power. This is especially true for wireless ADT cameras, which tend to exhaust their batteries pretty quickly. The doorbell camera, for instance, can only go three months without needing a recharge. But once that timeline passes, it’ll go off without notice.

A quick recharge or battery swap could have your camera back up and running in no time.

Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Stop and think about your ADT camera connectivity for a moment. Could it be that the Wi-Fi it’s connected to is a little problematic? A weak signal, dropped network, or router overload can all crash your camera’s recording functionality.

Firmware and software needs

Another notorious but lesser-known culprit for ADT doorbell cameras not working is outdated firmware. ADT sends firmware updates rather regularly, so check your ADT Control app if you missed the latest one.

Basic troubleshooting for ADT cameras

Even if you did your due diligence searching for the best smart home security systems, the reality is that tech breaks all the time. The good news is that even issues where the ADT camera isn't recording have a fix. 

Verify power and LED status

This is where you start. Locate the LED indicator on your camera. What color is it? If it’s a steady blue or solid green, that means the camera is live and healthy. But if it’s blinking red, your camera is likely out of power.

Here’s what to do:

• Carefully detach the camera from its mount.
• Plug it into a USB power source using the provided micro-USB cable.
• Leave it to charge for no less than 6 hours, then unplug.

Still no indicator? Try a different outlet to see if something changes.

Check Wi-Fi connection

Without a stable internet connection, your camera may struggle to upload and save recorded clips. Unfortunately, even the slightest Wi-Fi interference can impact the camera’s functionality.

• Log in to your MyADT account.
• Locate the camera’s connectivity status. If connected, it’ll read as Online.
• If it reads as Status Unknown or Offline, that may be a sign of a deeper Wi-Fi issue.

Restart camera from the Control Panel

A restart is a key troubleshooting step you should try early on in the process, especially if your camera is acting up but hasn’t gone off yet. 

• On your ADT Control Panel, go to Devices.
• From the list of devices, select the camera that’s not recording clips.
• Then, tap Reboot Device. Confirm your choice if prompted. The camera in question will momentarily shut down and restart a few seconds later.
• Give the camera two full minutes to restart properly. 

If you spot a steady blue or green light, it shows that your camera has re-established a clean connection with both your Wi-Fi and ADT’s cloud servers. It’s good to go now.

Perform a factory reset

This step will almost always resolve persistent ADT camera issues, but there’s a caveat: it clears everything that makes the camera yours. Once you choose to proceed, everything from personalized settings to the entire video history will disappear.

• Power on the camera.
• Next, locate the small reset button. Depending on the model, you’ll find it on the back or side of the camera.
• Holding down the button, wait for approximately 20 seconds before releasing. Check the exact time on the camera's documentation or app just to be sure.

Once you release the button, the camera will automatically restart and appear as if it’s brand new.

Check for signal interference

Your Wi-Fi signal is very delicate. The slightest interference from nearby electronics, thick walls, or metal surfaces may disrupt it and, subsequently, your ADT camera.

To neutralize ongoing and future disruptions, adjust your router’s broadcast frequency from 2.4GHz to 5GHz.

FAQ

How do I know if my ADT camera is recording?

You can check recording status in the ADT Control® app under the Devices tab. If the camera is working properly, you’ll see a live feed and recent clips. A solid green or blue LED light on the camera also indicates it’s functioning correctly.

Does ADT record all the time or only when motion is detected?

Most ADT cameras are motion-activated and record only when they detect activity. The ADT Control app allows you to customize motion sensitivity and recording schedules.

Why are motion events not triggering recordings?

Motion-triggered clips may fail if motion detection is disabled, the sensitivity is too low, or the activity falls outside the camera’s field of view. You can adjust these settings in the app.

How long does ADT keep recorded video clips?

Depending on your service plan, ADT typically stores video clips for up to 30 days. After that, they may be deleted automatically unless downloaded or backed up.

Can I view ADT camera footage without a subscription?

Live viewing is often available without a paid video storage plan, but accessing recorded clips usually requires a cloud storage subscription through ADT.