Cameras take part in ADT's rules. In the ADT+ app open Rules and use a device action, a device state or the system's armed state as a trigger, and actions such as sending a notification or controlling a Z-Wave light, so a camera detecting motion can prompt a light or an alert. Camera notifications are configured per camera and event type in Notifications, Cameras. ADT's camera plans include camera motion alerts, event history and object detection, and Video Connect covers cameras without a system.
The checks in more detail
To make sure a camera records when you want, check it is online, has battery, sees the scene and that the plan supports it; a camera that is closed by its privacy shield or blocked will not act. Conditions can limit rules to a time range, daytime, nighttime or days of the week, and actions can run more than once. Use Run This Rule to test.
If a rule does not run, check it is active, the camera and Base are online and the time zone is right. Keep rules simple, name them clearly and review them when you add cameras. Change one rule at a time and check the result the next day. A camera rule that fires twice may be triggered by two events. Review rules each season.
A light that turns on when a camera sees motion is a strong deterrent, but check the light does not create glare that ruins the picture. A rule that reacts to a camera should be named for the camera and the reaction, so that months later you can tell which one to change. ADT's rules run on the Base and the account, so a camera rule that depends on a Z-Wave light only works if that light is paired to the Base and online.
Differential
Likely causes of “ADT cameras and doorbell camera routine, schedule or automation is not running”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A rule turned off
What separates it Nothing runs because the rule has been switched off and its Active switch is off
How to confirm Toggle the rule's Active switch on so it responds to the camera's events again
- 2
An offline camera
What separates it The rule never starts because the camera is offline with a flat battery or a weak wifi signal
How to confirm Fix the camera's battery and wifi, then trigger it once and check the rule runs
- 3
A closed privacy shield
What separates it The camera does not detect anything because its privacy shield is closed over the lens
How to confirm Open the privacy shield so that the camera can see and detect events again
- 4
Wrong conditions
What separates it The rule is skipped at times because its conditions on days or time range do not match
How to confirm Check the time range and the days in the conditions and adjust them to suit
- 5
A wrong time zone
What separates it The rule fires later than expected because the time zone on the account location is wrong
How to confirm Correct the location so that time based rules use the right time zone
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The rule name and the camera trigger that it uses
- The state of the camera, whether online and charged
- The conditions set on the rule
- The plan on the account, which decides some detection features
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedOpen Rules
ReversibleOpen Rules from the main menu in the ADT+ app, where all the rules are listed and can be switched on or off.
Choose a camera trigger
ReversibleChoose a camera trigger, either a device action such as motion detected or a device state such as the camera going offline.
Add conditions
ReversibleAdd conditions such as the time, the days and the armed state so the rule only runs when you want it to.
Add actions
ReversibleAdd actions such as sending a notification or switching a light on, in the order that you need them to happen.
Run This Rule
ReversibleUse Run This Rule to test it, which carries out the actions straight away without waiting for the camera to trigger.
Check the camera is online
ReversibleCheck the camera is online with a good battery and wifi, because a rule can only react to a camera that reports.
Contact ADT
ReversibleContact ADT if the rule still does not run, and tell them the rule name, the trigger camera and what you saw.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Devices this page covers
- ADT Blu Indoor Camera (VMC3060 and VMC3070), Outdoor Camera (VMC3050 and VMC3080) and Doorbell Camera (AVD4001), which work with the ADT+ app and, for a full system, the ADT Base. ADT writes one help article per camera; the notes name where battery, wired and indoor models differ.
- Rules
- Trigger, condition and action.
- Plans
- Object detection depends on the plan.
- Tools and supplies
- The ADT+ app on an up-to-date phone with Bluetooth, the USB charging cable for battery cameras, a Phillips-head screwdriver and a 6 mm drill bit for mounting, a stable ladder and a pen and paper for the model number and LED color.
- Repair cost
- Most fixes cost nothing. ADT lists Video Connect at $9.99 a month for cameras without a system, Self-Protect at $14.99 and Pro-Protect with video at $34.99 with no long-term contract. Check the limited warranty first.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Outdoor Camera.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a rule fails after checks, contact ADT through chat
- !If a camera is offline, fix it first
- !If the timing is wrong even now, correct the location setting on the account
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Triggers, conditions and actions.
Indoor camera setup and placement.
Notification troubleshooting.
Outdoor camera setup and charging.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can a camera trigger a rule?+
Yes, a camera can trigger a rule, for example when it detects motion or when its state changes.
Can a rule turn on a light?+
Yes, a rule can turn on a light, provided the light is a Z-Wave light that is paired with the Base.
Does a closed shield block triggers?+
Yes, a closed privacy shield blocks triggers, because the camera cannot see anything to detect.
Can rules run on a schedule?+
Yes, rules can run on a schedule, so you can set them for particular times and days.
Should I name rules?+
Yes, give each rule a clear name, so that you can tell them apart when you have several.
What is event history?+
Event history is a 30-day list of clips on plans that include it, so you can review what the camera recorded.
Can I use a camera without ADT monitoring?+
Yes, you can use a camera without ADT monitoring by choosing a camera plan.