The doorbell updates its software automatically when connected to wifi, as ecobee's firmware information says for its devices: updates are pushed gradually to applicable devices. You cannot force one, but you can help it: keep the doorbell online with a strong signal, powered steadily and registered to an account. Check the app for the doorbell's software version in its device settings and compare with ecobee's list of latest firmware versions. If an update seems late, restart the router, check the doorbell's signal and wait, since staged rollouts mean some devices update days later.
The checks in more detail
A doorbell that resets or loses power during an update may fail to complete it, so check the transformer and power. Do not reset in the middle of an update. After an update settings can change, so check the Activity Zone, chime settings and detection. If the version never changes on a well-connected, registered doorbell, contact ecobee support with the model and version. Keep the ecobee app up to date. The lights may show an update state, described in the lights and sounds article.
Note the version before and after each check so you know whether an update really arrived. A doorbell that updates in one weather condition may stall in another, so check the connection. Give the update a quiet network by pausing large downloads. If updates seem slow, check that the doorbell is registered and has not been unregistered by someone in the household, which is the most common quiet cause.
Keep the ecobee app open on the doorbell page while it updates so you can see the status change, and do not press the button repeatedly, since the light prompts may show an update state that is easy to misread as a fault. Give a fresh update a day of normal use before judging it, and if a behavior changed afterwards, note exactly what and when, because ecobee support can match that with a rollout date. A doorbell on marginal power can fail to finish an update repeatedly, so if the version never changes, check the transformer before you blame the connection.
Differential
Likely causes of “ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera firmware update is stuck or failed”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Offline
What separates it No update arrives because the doorbell is offline and cannot reach ecobee's servers
How to confirm Fix the wifi connection, since the doorbell can only receive updates while it is online
- 2
Unstable power
What separates it The update fails because the power to the doorbell is unstable
How to confirm Check the transformer and the wiring, so that the doorbell has steady power during the update
- 3
A staged rollout
What separates it No update has arrived yet because ecobee releases new versions gradually
How to confirm Wait a few days, since new software is pushed to the applicable doorbells in stages
- 4
An unregistered doorbell
What separates it Updates are not arriving because the doorbell is not registered to an account
How to confirm Register the doorbell in the ecobee app, so that it can receive its updates
- 5
A reset mid-update
What separates it The update seems broken because the doorbell was reset while it was updating
How to confirm Wait for the update to finish before you do anything, and reset it only if it stays stuck
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The firmware version shown for the doorbell in the app
- The wifi signal strength at the front door
- Whether the power to the doorbell is stable
- Whether the doorbell is registered in the app
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the version
ReversibleCheck the firmware version in the app, where the doorbell's details show the software it is running.
Confirm it is online
ReversibleConfirm that the doorbell is online and powered, since an update needs both of them to finish.
Compare with the latest list
ReversibleCompare the version with the latest list on ecobee's page, to see whether you are behind.
Wait for the rollout
ReversibleWait for the rollout, which can take days, because ecobee releases new versions in stages.
Check the transformer
ReversibleCheck the transformer, so the doorbell has stable power, particularly while it downloads an update.
Do not reset mid-update
ReversibleDo not reset the doorbell in the middle of an update, but wait until the update has finished.
Contact ecobee
ReversibleContact ecobee if it never updates, and tell them the version and how the doorbell behaves.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Rollout
- Firmware is pushed gradually.
- Power
- Stable power helps updates complete.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If no update arrives on a good connection, contact ecobee support
- !If the power is unstable, fix that first, since an update cannot finish without steady power
- !If it is stuck, restart the doorbell, and then contact ecobee if it does not recover
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Firmware versions.
Light and voice patterns.
General ecobee wifi steps.
Wiring.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does it update automatically?+
Yes, the doorbell updates its software automatically when it is connected to wifi.
Can I force an update?+
No, you cannot force an update, because ecobee releases new versions gradually to each doorbell.
Where is the version?+
You can see the firmware version in the ecobee app, in the details for the doorbell.
Are updates staged?+
Yes, updates are staged, so not every doorbell receives a new version on the same day.
Can power interrupt updates?+
Yes, an unstable power supply can interrupt an update, so make sure the power is steady.
Do settings change after updates?+
They can, since new versions may change features or defaults, so check your settings afterwards.
Should I keep the app updated?+
Yes, keep the app updated too, so that it works properly with the newest doorbell software.