8 Vivint Smart Hub Known Problems (Explained & Solved)

Let’s face it: the bright Hub is the brain behind any security system. Because it is such an essential part of your system, the Smart Hub is the number one Vivint device you do NOT want to have to develop a fault or display issues. 

Unfortunately, as with practically every other device on the planet, there are often times when you might encounter one problem or the other. In this article, we’ll introduce 8 of the most common Vivint Smart Hub problems and provide feasible solutions to help get your security system back on track.

Let’s get right into it.

1. Vivint Smart Hub Not Responding to Touch

The Vivint Smart Hub is a touchscreen device; as such, it should generally respond to touch whenever you touch its torch panel. 

In the case that your device isn’t responding to your touch, below are a few easy fixes that might do the trick:

• Clean your hands

Dirty or wet hands often affect the response of touchscreen devices, and your Vivint Smart Hub is no exception.

If the hand operating the device is dirty or wet, then this is probably why your Smart Hub isn’t responding. Wipe your hands clean, and your Smart Hub should start responding.

• Clean the panel surface.

Just as dirt and/or liquid on the hand you’re using to operate your Smart Hub might make it hard for it to respond to your touch, the same can be said about dirt or liquid on the surface of your Smart Hub.

Clean the surface of your Smart Hub of any wetness or dirt that might be coating it, and try operating the Smart Hub again. 

If, after cleaning your hands and the touch area of your Smart Hub, the Smart Hub still doesn’t respond to touch, then one of the following is more likely to be the reason: 

Software issues

Sometimes, your smart Hub doesn’t respond due to a system glitch. This could be caused by software bugs, incomplete software updates, or other issues.

Hardware Malfunctions

Damage to your bright Hub could also make the device unresponsive to touch. Physical damage to the touchscreen, such as cracks, scratches, or liquid spills, can disrupt the Hub’s ability to respond accurately to your touch. Attempting to tamper with the device could also mess with its integrity and cause it to malfunction. 

Connectivity Problem:

Your Smart Hub requires both power and network connectivity to function correctly. The absence of any of these could cause the device to not function as it should. Sometimes, such connectivity issues could also affect your brilliant Hub’s touch response, although this isn’t always true. 

Now that you know some of the issues, this is how you will solve them.

1. For software issues, a temporary restart can often resolve glitches and refresh the system. Since the screen is not responding, you’ll need to reboot forcefully.

To forcefully reboot your Vivint Smart Hub, follow this procedure:

• Unmount your smart Hub from where it is placed so you can access its parts.
• The next step is to use a screwdriver or pencil. At the bottom of your panel, there would be a button where you can push through. Insert the screw or pencil into the hole and press for 30 seconds until it is off.
• After that, wait for the panel to boot up. 

Please note: You must ensure your system is disarmed before you can do this. If it’s not, disarm your system first. 

Another method to reset is:

• First, disconnect the panel from any power source by unplugging it.
• Remove the panel from the device backplate by simply sliding up and off the mounting plate.
• Then, remove the battery from the panel, which will power down the panel.
• Ensure it’s in power down mode for at least 30 seconds, after which you can insert the battery back.
• Remount the side panel and plug the panel back into the walls. It should work fine after 2-3 minutes.

1. Check for updates in your bright Hub and confirm that you’re using the updated one. This will help prevent known bugs or issues affecting the touch responsiveness.

 If you’re using the Vivint phone app to control the Hub, check for updates this way:

• From your app, open the menu options by pressing the three dotted lines in the left corner, then select the settings option.
• Select your Smart Hub.
• If your panel is updated, it will tell you. If not, it will state that updates are available and list the version. You will select the update and let it update.
• You will be asked to confirm the update. Press update to continue. You can also track its progress.

Tip: You must be connected to the internet before installing an update.

1. Remember, your bright Hub may not respond to faulty touchpads. If the screen is damaged, look for a technician specializing in such repair to give you a new one. 

Before you look for a technician, contact customer support to suggest the right solution to this approach and fix the problem for good. 

If you bought it new and the screen is not cracked, the damage might have been during delivery. If you did not damage it during installation, there’s always a replacement. That way, you won’t have issues with the touch not responding.

2. Verify the network settings and connections to ensure stable communication between the intelligent Hub and other devices.

2. Vivint Smart Hub No Sound

The issue of your Vivint Smart Hub having no sound can be due to various factors. It could be the volume settings, software glitches, or hardware malfunction.

To solve this issue effectively, do these:

• Check the volume: This seems obvious, but the most straightforward solutions are the correct ones. Ensure the volume in your Hub isn’t muted or set too low. If it is, increase it from the Hub or your Vivint phone app.
• Reboot the Hub: A reboot can also solve any temporary glitches causing audio issues. Unplug the power cord from the back of your Hub for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Give it a few minutes to restart and see if the sound returns.
• Check for updates: A necessary update can be the solution for your Smart Hub sound to work perfectly. The section above contains all the information you need to check for an update on how to proceed. 

Pro Tip: if you want to update directly using your Smart Hub, then do this:

• Open the menu option on your panel by pressing the three dots in the corner.
• Select general.
• Enter your pin.
• Follow the remaining process to update to the latest version.

3. Vivint Smart Hub Green Light

When your Smart Hub displays a green light, your security system is not actively monitoring your home. In essence, your home security system is currently disarmed. 

However, if you notice any blinking green light, this could mean your doorbell camera is ready to pair with your security system or is in the process of pairing. You may want to try rebooting your camera if you see this blinking light and aren’t trying to pair the doorbell camera.

4. Vivint Smart Hub Won’t Connect to WIFI

Getting a pop-up message that your Smart Hub is not connecting to wifi can be frustrating. Connecting your Smart Hub to the internet will allow you to view your camera live, receive notifications, and use other necessary features. Imagine you can’t do all these things because your Smart Hub refuses to connect to wifi. 

Some of the issues that may cause it not to connect include;

• Router issue:

You connect your wifi to your phone like your Smart Hub, which is just like a tablet. So, if your router isn’t connecting, it cannot work correctly, which may hinder the Connection. 

• Wrong wifi Connection:

Sometimes, you may have selected the wrong wifi to connect to, thinking it is correct. If your Bright Hub tries to connect to the wrong network, it will not go, especially if the wifi has no internet access.

• Incorrect WIFI Password: 

If you notice, the issues occur more directly from the WIFI. So, the password you entered while connecting to your Bright Hub may need to be corrected. A typo or incorrect password can prevent a successful connection.

• Weak signal strength:

 Suppose the bright Hub is too far from the wifi router. In that case, the signal might need to be stronger, making it difficult to establish a stable connection. Thick walls or interference from other electronic devices can also weaken the signal.

• Hardware issue:

The issue will likely not come from your Smart Hub. Still, since technology isn’t 100% accurate, in some cases, hardware issues within the Bright Hub, like a faulty wifi receiver, could prevent it from connecting to wifi networks.

Let’s look at the solution to these problems.

• Regarding the router issue, double-check that there’s power connected to your WIFI. Many routers have LED lights, indicating that they’re powered on. If you’re unsure or don’t see any light on, ensure it’s plugged into a working outlet. To verify that the outlet is working, try plugging another thing into it.

Also, turn off both your router and the Smart Hub and try connecting again. 

• You should always note when connecting that you’re connecting to the correct wifi network. Confirm the name you selected. Also, always check your password and ensure you type the correct one. 

To verify the password is correct, connect another device to that network.

• Check the distance between your bright Hub and your wifi router forWi-Fi router for signal strengths. The farther the Hub is, the weaker the signal it receives. 

Try relocating the router closer to the Hub for a temporary test connection. If the Connection is successful with improved proximity, consider a more permanent solution, like moving the router. 

Suppose you have many Wi-Fi-connected devices in your home. In that case, they might be causing congestion on your network, making it difficult for Bright Hub to establish a stable connection. Try disconnecting other devices, like tablets or laptops, to see if it improves the Hub’s wifi connectivity. 

• Another essential thing to do is to confirm your Smart Hub is in the correct mode.

This is how to check it:

• At your panel, open your menu by pressing the three dots in the corner.
• Select General. Enter your PIN, then select Connectivity, and after that, wifi.
• On the wifi page, there’s a line titled Connection, which has two options: Wired and Wireless.
• You should be in Wired mode if your panel has an Ethernet cord. If no Ethernet cord is plugged directly into your panel, you should ensure wireless is the option selected. 
• Outdated firmware on your Smart Hub can sometimes lead to issues with wifi connectivity. Check for available Smart Hub updates and follow the instructions (refer to the first sub-section).

Please note: You can connect your Smart Hub using a Cellular network, not just wifi. You can combine both, especially if you don’t want disruption in the Connectivity.

5. Vivint Smart Hub Voice Changed

If you notice a change in your Bright Hub’s voice, it’s due to a recent firmware update. Vivint is constantly working to improve its systems, and this update included changes to the voice prompts and alerts used by your Smart Hub. 

While there isn’t a way to revert to the previous voice option, you can always turn off voce entirely.

Here’s how:

• Press the menu icon in the bottom right-hand corner.
• Select General.
• Enter the 4-digit user PIN.
• Press Sounds.
• Select Sensor chimes.
• Choose the desired sensor from the menu.
• Adjust the Voice toggle and choose the desired chime for the sensor.

6. What Is the Installer Code for Vivint Smart Hub?

The installer code grants access to critical settings that could be used to disarm the security system, bypass sensors, or alter system configurations, especially if you’re just using it for the first time.

All controller functions are accessed through the installer toolbox, which is hidden in the user interface. It can be accessed by touching a text area on the settings screen and entering the installer PIN code.

The installer code for Vivint Smart Hub is 2203.

If you try the code and it doesn’t work, contact customer support. The code may be temporarily disabled. Once you call, they will give you another code that will work.

7. How Many Cameras Can Be Added to the Smart Hub Vivint?

Vivint Smart Hubs can support up to six security cameras. This is a typical maximum for many smart home security systems, allowing you to monitor various areas of your property without overloading the system’s capabilities.

Here’s a breakdown of why Vivint limits the number of cameras per Hub:

• System Bandwidth: Each camera streaming live footage requires bandwidth on your wifi network. Too many cameras can strain the bandwidth, leading to laggy video feeds or connection issues.
• Processing Power: The Vivint Smart Hub needs processing power to handle data from all connected devices, including cameras. An excessive number of cameras can tax the Hub’s processing capabilities, potentially impacting its overall performance.
• User Experience: Vivint aims to provide a smooth and efficient user experience. Limiting the number of cameras ensures you can easily manage and monitor your security system without feeling overwhelmed by many video feeds.

8. Does Vivint Work With Smartthings?

Vivint doesn’t work directly with intelligent things. You can’t seamlessly control Vivint devices through the SmartThings app or vice versa.

However, there are a couple of workarounds to achieve some level of interaction between the two systems:

• IFTTT:

This popular automation bridges various smart home devices and systems. While Vivint doesn’t officially integrate with IFTTT, applets have been created to allow essential interaction. 

For instance, you can make an applet that triggers your SmartThings lights to turn on when Vivint detects motion.

However, remember that:

• Limited Functionality: Applets offer limited functionality compared to official integrations.
• Reliance on Third-Party Service: You’ll depend on IFTTT’s servers for communication, which could introduce potential delays or reliability issues.
• Security Concerns (potential): Sharing data with a third-party service like IFTTT might raise security concerns for you.
• Limited Vivint Device Compatibility with SmartThings Hub:

While Vivint and SmartThings don’t directly integrate, some Vivint devices might be compatible with the SmartThings Hub using Zigbee or Z-Wave communication protocols. 

Only specific Vivint devices with compatible protocols (like door locks or thermostats) might work with SmartThings. It would help if you still managed Vivint’s security and SmartThings features through the Vivint app. There would need to be a unified experience.

Summary

Your Vivint Smart Hub is the essential device in your Home Security System. Any issue with the Bright Hub affects your entire system, so any problems you notice should be resolved as soon as possible. Above are 8 of the most common Vivint Smart Hub problems and their solutions. 

Are you facing a problem different from the eight listed above? Feel free to contact us; we’ll help you find an effective solution.