Your Vivint Alarm System is something you should generally be able to bank on. If you notice any system issues, there’s something wrong. Thankfully, we’re here to help you fix it!
In this article, we’ll discuss seven of the most common problems users typically face when using Vivint alarm systems, their typical causes, and some easy ways to resolve them.
Let’s get right into it.
1. Vivint Not Working
If your Vivint alarm system isn’t functioning correctly, there could be several reasons. The first step to solving this problem is pinpointing exactly what’s malfunctioning.
Is the problem with the panel, the app, the smart hub, or something else? Identifying the specific issue is very important for troubleshooting.
Below are some of the most common issues that could cause this problem and how to solve each.
Pro Tip: Before any of that, though, check to make sure your Vivint alarm system is armed. If it is disarmed, it often appears that the system isn’t working.
You have several options with which you can arm your Vivint Alarm System:
- Using the Vivint Smart Home App
To do this,
- Open the Vivint Smart Home App
- Press and Hold the white Shield icon on the home screen and drag it to the right or the left.
If you are away, drag to the right (Leaving) to activate all the sensors at home.
If you will be indoors, drag to the left (Staying) to activate all your sensors except the interior sensors in the home.
- Using the Vivint Smart Hub
To do this, press and hold the shield on the Smart Hub and drag Left to Stay and Right to Leave.
If your system is armed but still doesn’t work or isn’t working properly, however, below are the most likely causes and how to fix them.
Vivint Smart Hub (or Panel) Not Working
The Vivint Smart Hub is the one-stop control center for your smart home and Vivint Alarm System. It combines security, temperature control, and device management into a single, user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen interface.
If, for any reason, this device is malfunctioning, it could lead to your Vivint Alarm System not working. If this is the cause of your problem, below are three possible solutions to employ:
Reboot Your Vivint Smart Hub
A simple reboot can fix numerous minor issues with your Smart Hub. If your Smart Hub seems to be working slowly or not responding as it should be, a reboot is probably the way to go.
To reboot your Vivint Smart Hub, simply:
- Disarm your system.
- Tap the Menu icon > Smart Home Settings > Devices.
- Enter your PIN.
- Select “Smart Hub” (or the specific panel you’re troubleshooting)
- Tap “Reboot” and confirm with “Yes.”
If you have multiple panels, select “Displays” in the Smart Hub screen, then choose the panel you wish to reboot.
Factory Reset Your Panel
Sometimes, a simple reboot of your panel isn’t enough to get your Vivint Alarm System working at its optimal capacity. In cases like this, you might want to consider a more thorough fix, such as a factory reset.
This is a recommended solution when facing frozen panels or black screen issues.
To reset your Smart Hub Panel,
- Disarm your system.
- Unplug the panel’s power cord.
- Remove the panel from its mounting plate.
- Take out the battery.
- Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the battery.
- Remount the panel and wait 2-3 minutes for it to power on.
Note: Factory Resetting your solar panel would often fix a lot of issues. However, it would mean you’d lose practically all the data on the device and have to repeat your entire setup as if the device were brand new.
For this reason, we recommend you try a simple reboot before attempting a factory reset.
Reset Your SkyControl Panel
In the case that you own a SkyControl Panel instead of the regular Vivint Panel, you can reset your SkyControl Panel by;
- Disarm the System
- Unplug your SkyControl Panel’s power cord.
- Remove the screw at the top and detach the panel from the backplate.
- Disconnect and reconnect the battery wires after 30 seconds.
- Reattach and secure the panel, then power it up. Expect a 10-15 minute wait for reboot.
To identify your panel type: A screw on the top means it’s a SkyControl panel.
Vivint Sensor Not Working
Another reason your Vivint might not be working is issues with your sensors. If any of your sensors isn’t functioning as it should, then your entire Vivint alarm system will suffer.
If your Vivint Smart Hub is working fine but your alarm system is still having issues, your sensors should be the first thing to check.
First, check your sensors to ensure that they are all online and have adequate battery life. A drained battery typically means your sensor is as good as nonexistent.
Check the battery life of each sensor when experiencing issues with your alarm system to ensure that the sensors aren’t down.
You can also try rebooting and reading each sensor.
Vivint Smart Home App Not Working
Another reason your Vivint alarm might not work is an issue with your Smart Home App. Anything from a bug to connection errors could affect the integrity of your Vivint alarm system.
If the reason your alarm system isn’t working has nothing to do with your panel, the issue is likely due to the mobile app. Below are three solutions to try out:
- Ensure that your device is connected to the internet and you have a strong internet connection.
- Close and restart the app.
- Log out and then log back in.
- Check for any software updates and install any available updates.
If you attempt all four solutions listed above and your mobile app still doesn’t work or doesn’t work as it should, the problem you are facing may be due to a bug that will be fixed when the next update rolls out. If this is the case, then you’d have to be just a little patient.
It is also possible that the issue is with your mobile device. If you suspect this is the case, downloading the Vivint mobile app on a different phone and logging into your account should help fix the problem.
Vivint Camera Issues
Camera issues might also cause issues with your Vivint Alarm. While your cameras aren’t technically part of your security system, they still play an important role in your overall home security system, which your alarm system is also a part of.
If it’s the cameras that you’re having problems with, here’s how you can quickly troubleshoot the issue:
- Reboot your Vivint system (as described above.)
- Restart the camera by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Press and hold the doorbell for 10-15 seconds for doorbell cameras.
- Reboot your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
- You can reinstall your camera by deleting it from the system and then re-adding it following the provided steps.
- If problems persist, factory reset the camera and then reinstall it.
To Delete Your Camera from the System:
- On your panel’s home screen, tap the menu icon.
- Choose “Devices” and enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Select ‘Cameras’, then your Vivint Indoor Camera.
- Scroll and tap “Delete camera.”
To Factory Reset Your Camera:
- Unplug your Vivint Indoor Camera.
- Plug it back in, pressing and holding the top button until the light turns red.
- Please wait for the camera to cycle through the lights and turn green, signaling it’s ready to connect.
To Re-add Your Camera Back to the System:
- Tap the settings icon from your panel’s home screen.
- Go to “Devices” and input your 4-digit PIN.
- Choose “Add device,” then select the Vivint Indoor Camera.
- Confirm the camera is plugged in and tap “Connect.”
- With your panel searching for the device, press and hold the top button on your camera until you hear a tone.
- Please wait for the announcement that it’s connecting to your system.
- The panel will then complete the addition. You can name your camera and start viewing the live feed.
Now, your Vivint Indoor Camera is successfully reconnected and ready for use!
Pro Tip: Your Vivint Camera needs a minimum internet speed of 2 Mbps for each camera. If your internet speed is less than this, it could also affect your camera and lead to it not functioning as well as you want.
Vivint Mobile App Commands Not Working
Another problem with your Vivint System not responding is not getting confirmation after sending a command on the mobile app. You might experience this issue when arming or disarming your system or carrying out another such action.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you can quickly solve this problem by;
- Log out and back into your app.
- Test sending a command from your online account center.
- Ensure a strong WiFi connection for mobile commands.
- If the problem persists with the app and account center, try controlling devices directly from the panel.
- If direct control doesn’t work, consult Vivint’s Smart Home Specialists.
2. Vivint Alarm Won’t Stop Beeping
Suppose your Vivint alarm won’t stop beeping. In that case, it’s likely due to one of several reasons, such as low battery, loss of communication, and the like. Here’s a simple guide to identify and fix the issue causing the beeping:
- Identify the Alert: Look at your SkyControl panel and tap the yellow hazard icon to see what type of alert you’re dealing with. This action will also silence the beeping for eight hours, giving you time to address the issue.
- Loss of Communication: This alert means a sensor can’t communicate with your panel, possibly due to a dead battery, distance issues, or network problems.
- To reestablish communication, try replacing the sensor’s battery or moving it closer to the panel. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, contact Customer Solutions.
- Panel Low Battery: Ensure your panel is connected to power and check the wall adapter. If there’s been a power outage, acknowledge the alert to stop the beeping. The backup battery will recharge once power is restored.
- Sensor/Device Low Battery: Replace the low battery in the identified sensor or device. If you’re unsure how to do this, refer to specific device tutorials.
- Sensor Tamper: This alert signifies that something is interfering with your sensor. Ensure the sensor’s cover is securely placed and the batteries adequately installed. Then, put your system in test mode and correct any issues with the sensor.
- Panel Tamper: Check if the SkyControl faceplate is fully secured. Inspect for cracks, misaligned wires, or anything that prevents the faceplate from sitting flush.
Ensure the top screw of the panel is tightened. If the issue persists, you may need assistance from Customer Solutions.
- Weather Alert: If there’s a severe weather warning, the alert will be at the top right corner of your home screen. Acknowledge it by tapping, reading, and closing the notification to silence the beeping. Prepare as necessary for the weather conditions.
If you carefully follow these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the reason behind your Vivint alarm’s continuous beeping.
If you’ve tried these solutions and the problem persists, you should contact Vinvint’s customer service for further assistance.
3. Vivint Alarm Not Loud Enough
Suppose your Vivint alarm isn’t loud enough. In that case, you can easily adjust the volume for voice alerts, chimes, and the doorbell chime through your control panel.
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you make the necessary adjustments for the Vivint Smart Hub and the SkyControl panel.
For Vivint Smart Hub
- To adjust Voice and Chime Volume, Go to the home screen and tap the Volume icon, which is in the top right corner.
- Adjusting Volume: Use the slider that appears to adjust the volume to your desired level. This adjustment will affect both voice alerts and chimes.
- Doorbell Chime Volume: On the same screen, you can also adjust the volume for your Vivint Doorbell Camera’s chime.
For SkyControl Panel
- Access Volume Settings: Look for the volume icon in the top right-hand corner of your screen and select it.
- Adjust Volume: Use the slider to increase the volume as needed. Ensure the sound isn’t accidentally muted.
For SkyControl 3.0
- Customize Alert Volume: Tap the volume icon in the top right corner of the home screen.
- Volume and Chimes: Adjust the sliders to set the volume for your chimes, alerts, or doorbell chimes. If you wish, you can mute them by pressing the icon on the left end of the volume slider.
- Individual Sensor Adjustments: To adjust the volume for specific sensors, scroll down to find the list of sensors. Tap on the sensor you wish to change and set the volume according to your preference.
Note: The siren’s volume on these systems cannot be changed. These steps should help you ensure that your Vivint alarm system’s alerts are at a volume that is audible and suitable for your needs.
Suppose you encounter any issues or the screen on your panel does not match these instructions. In that case, consulting the user manual or contacting Vivint customer support for further assistance may be helpful.
4. Vivint Alarm Lights
Understanding the lights on your Vivint alarm system can help you quickly gauge the status of your devices and your home’s security.
Each device has different color indicators for various states. Here’s a simple guide to what the lights on your Vivint alarm system mean:
Home Button (Sky Control)
- Green: Your home is ready to arm.
- Red: Your home is armed.
- Orange: Your home is not ready to arm.
Ping LED
- White: Connected.
- Green: Ready to connect.
- Yellow: Rebooting.
- Red: Not connected to the panel.
- Breathing White: Connected to the panel but not to the internet.
Smart Lock
- Green: The door is unlocked.
- Yellow: The door is locked.
- Red: Low battery.
Smart Drive
- All Off: Off or not receiving power.
- Solid Blue: Powering on and booting up.
- Slow Blinking Blue: Normal operation.
- Fast Blinking Blue: Installing updates.
- Heartbeat Blue over Solid Green: Not provisioned.
- Heartbeat Orange over Solid Blue: The process for running the lights is not working.
- Solid Green/Orange: Booting up.
- Slow Blinking Orange: No internet access.
AirBridge
- Solid White: Powering up.
- Blinking White: Waiting to connect.
- Green: Connected.
- Red: Encountered an error.
- Blinking Red: Offline.
V-DBC2 Doorbell Camera
- Solid Yellow: Booting up.
- Breathing Yellow: Initializing.
- Breathing Green: Ready to pair.
- Blinking Green: WPS transaction.
Smart Thermostat
- Solid Orange: Heating mode.
- Pulsing Orange: Actively heating.
- Solid Blue: Cooling mode.
- Pulsing Blue: Actively cooling.
Smoke Detector
- Regular Operation: Green LED flashes every 12 seconds.
- Low Battery: Yellow LED flashes every 12 seconds, beeps every 48 seconds.
- Powering Up: Red, Yellow, and Green LEDs flash sequentially, followed by a beep.
- Tamper Alert: Red, Yellow, and Green LEDs flash every 12 seconds.
- Detector Dirty: Yellow LED flashes every 8 seconds and beeps every 48 seconds.
- Detector Trouble: Yellow LED flashes every 4 seconds and beeps every 48 seconds.
By understanding these light indicators, you can quickly identify the current status of your alarm system and any issues with your Vivint alarm system and connected devices.
Suppose you notice any colors that indicate a problem, such as red on your Smart Lock (low battery) or a red AirBridge (encountered an error). Promptly addressing these issues is essential to ensure your home security system functions correctly.
5. Can You Use Vivint Without Service?
You can use a Vivint camera without service but with limitations. When not subscribed to a service plan, you can view your camera only when you’re at home; remote viewing is unavailable.
This setup might suffice if you’re usually at home and just want to monitor your surroundings while there. However, you’ll need a Vivint service subscription if you wish to monitor your home while traveling or away.
Here’s a brief overview:
- Vivint Camera Without Service: Enables local camera viewing. It is ideal for those who are mostly home and need basic monitoring.
- Vivint Camera With Service: Offers full functionality, including remote access through the mobile app. This is important for monitoring your home from anywhere, receiving emergency alerts, and accessing advanced features.
How Vivint Camera System Works With a Subscription
- A monthly subscription is necessary to leverage remote monitoring and control features.
- The subscription lets you access the camera remotely via the Vivint mobile app.
- Service plans vary, offering features like monitoring and mobile alerts for emergencies, burglaries, or fires.
- If you have a subscription but the camera isn’t recording as expected, troubleshooting may be required.
While Vivint cameras can function without a subscription for basic local monitoring, a service plan is essential for comprehensive remote monitoring and security features.
6. How to Change the Vivint Alarm Code?
Changing the PIN code on your Vivint alarm system is pretty straightforward. Follow these steps to update your panel PIN:
- Access the Menu: Go to your panel and press the three dots located in the corner to open the menu.
- Select Users: From the menu options, choose “Users.” You will be asked to input your current PIN. If you don’t know your PIN, contact customer support.
- Choose Primary Admin User: Select the “Primary Admin User” option after entering your current PIN.
- Update PIN: Click “PIN” and then type in the new PIN code you wish to use.
- Save the New PIN: After entering your new PIN, tap “Save.” You must re-enter the new PIN for confirmation and tap “Save” again.
- Confirmation: Once the new PIN is saved, you’ll see a pop-up message confirming the change. Your new PIN will be updated in the system.
7. How to Activate Vivint Alarm?
Activating your Vivint alarm using the mobile app is quick and straightforward. Here’s how:
- Open Vivint Smart Home App: Launch the Vivint app on your mobile device.
- Access Alarm Activation: Tap on the shield icon in the app interface’s upper right corner.
- Select Alarm Type: Choose the type of alarm you need to activate. For example, if you want to activate the fire alarm or call the police, select the respective option.
- Hold to Activate: Press and hold the selected alarm type for 3 seconds to activate it.
- Confirmation: The screen will display “Alarm in Progress” until disarmed.
- Disarm Option: If you need to disarm the alarm after activating it, tap the red speaker icon to disarm the panel.
Note: If you previously activated a fire alarm from the app, you must cancel it from the panel. Also, authorities may be on their way if the alarm has been active for over a minute. Cancelling the dispatch may not be guaranteed.
Summary
Here are 7 of the most common issues you’ll experience when dealing with your Vivint alarm system. If the problems you encounter are not discussed above, or if you’re unable to resolve the problem even after applying the above solutions, then you may need to contact customer support for further guidance on what to do.
About Author
I'm Maroun, the seasoned technology writer crafting compelling tutorials and posts since 2013. With over a decade of versatile experience spanning the IT, Security, and High-tech industries, my main qualities are adaptability and perfectionism. Join me in this journey, where every word is a masterpiece!
Read more about Maroun
