Resetting an ADT doorbell camera is done with the button on the back of the unit, and the guides agree on the method: press and hold the button for about fifteen seconds, until the light shows that the doorbell has reset. SafeWise's troubleshooting guide for ADT doorbells and cameras gives the fifteen-second hold. After the reset the doorbell returns to its default state and forgets your Wi-Fi details, so it must be set up again, which means connecting it to your network and adding it to the system, either by the app or with the installer.
The checks in more detail
Do a reset when the doorbell will not connect after a router or password change, when it is unresponsive after a power cycle, when it was installed by a previous occupant or when you are removing it from your account. Before you reset, try a power cycle, restart the router and the gateway, and check that your phone's mobile signal is good, because the set-up sometimes needs the phone to use mobile data.
If the doorbell is hard-wired, switch off the breaker briefly rather than touching wires. After the reset, delete the old doorbell entry in the app so that the system does not keep a ghost device, then add the doorbell again with the app's guided steps. Have your Wi-Fi name and password ready and stand near the door with a good signal. If the app cannot find the doorbell, check that its light shows the set-up state, and that you are on the 2.4 GHz network.
A reset does not change the hardware or the wiring. If the doorbell does not respond to a long press, the button may be stuck or the unit may have no power, so check the supply and ask the installer. Do not use sharp tools on the button, and keep the doorbell in its bracket while resetting, to avoid dropping it. After set-up, test the live view, the motion alerts and the chime.
Differential
Likely causes of “ADT Doorbell Camera will not reset or needs to be reset safely”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A new router or password
What separates it The doorbell cannot connect
How to confirm Reset and set up again
- 2
An unresponsive doorbell
What separates it It does not recover after a power cycle
How to confirm Hold the back button fifteen seconds
- 3
A previous occupant's doorbell
What separates it It is tied to another account
How to confirm Reset and add it to your account
- 4
Removal from your account
What separates it It must be wiped
How to confirm Reset and delete it
- 5
A stuck button or no power
What separates it The reset has no effect
How to confirm Check the supply and ask the installer
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The light on the doorbell
- Whether it is hard-wired
- Whether the old entry was deleted
- The Wi-Fi name and password
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedPower cycle first
ReversibleAnd restart the router and gateway.
Hold the back button
ReversibleAbout fifteen seconds.
Delete the old entry
ReversibleIn the app.
Set the doorbell up again
ReversibleNear the door, on 2.4 GHz.
Test live view and alerts
ReversibleAfter set-up.
Test the chime
ReversibleIf it is wired.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Fifteen seconds
- The standard hold.
- Ghost entries
- Delete the old doorbell from the app.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the doorbell ignores a long press with good power, ask the installer to replace it
- !If set-up fails after a reset, ask them to check it
- !Do not force the button
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Camera, doorbell, sensor, battery and reset troubleshooting for ADT systems.
Five common ADT doorbell camera faults and fixes.
Power, Wi-Fi and reset steps for an ADT doorbell camera.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I reset an ADT doorbell camera?+
Hold the back button for about fifteen seconds.
Do I lose my Wi-Fi settings?+
Yes.
Do I need to set it up again?+
Yes.
Does a reset change the wiring?+
No.