The doorbell needs a steady wifi connection for live view, alerts and recordings. ecobee's general wifi troubleshooting for its devices applies: restart the router and modem, place the router near the doorbell or add an extender, check the signal where the doorbell is mounted and make sure the network is one the doorbell supports. A doorbell is usually on an outside wall, so signal must pass through walls and sometimes metal and brick, which weakens it.
The checks in more detail
Check that the router is not blocking new devices with MAC filtering and that DHCP is on. If you changed your network, reconnect the doorbell through the app or, if it will not reconnect, factory reset it using ecobee's lights and sounds guide and set it up again. The doorbell's lights and voice prompts tell you its connection state. A doorbell that is powered but keeps dropping may have marginal wifi or marginal power, so check both. If live view on a compatible thermostat lags, the doorbell's connection is the likely cause.
Keep firmware current since updates arrive over wifi. Use a separate network name for 2.4 GHz if your router combines bands. If the router is far away, a mesh node near the front door is the most reliable fix. Test signal at the doorbell's exact spot with a phone before moving the router, since readings indoors say little about the porch. Avoid mounting it right beside metal, since a metal frame or gutter weakens the signal. After a router change, reconnect the doorbell the same day.
A doorbell close to the router can still perform badly if it joined the 5 GHz band through a wall, so check which band it joined and try the other if your router offers separate names. If you have a mesh system, place a node within one room of the front door and check the doorbell has joined that node, since a doorbell that clings to a far node is a common cause of lag that no setting fixes.
Differential
Likely causes of “ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera will not stay connected to Wi-Fi”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak signal at the door
What separates it The video drops or lags because the wifi signal at the front door is weak
How to confirm Add an extender or a mesh node near the door, so the signal there is stronger
- 2
Walls and metal
What separates it The signal is poor because walls and metal between the router and the door block it
How to confirm Reposition the router, or move it closer to the door, so that fewer walls are in the way
- 3
Router filtering
What separates it The doorbell cannot join because the router's filters block new devices
How to confirm Check the router's MAC filter and DHCP settings, and allow the doorbell to join
- 4
A changed network
What separates it The doorbell went offline after you changed the network or the password
How to confirm Reconnect it through the app, or reset it if it does not rejoin the new network
- 5
Marginal power
What separates it The wifi drops because the power the doorbell receives is marginal
How to confirm Check the transformer supplies the right voltage and enough VA for the doorbell
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The wifi signal strength measured at the front door
- Where the router is placed in the home
- Which wifi network and band the doorbell is using
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck signal at the door
ReversibleCheck the signal at the door with a phone, by testing its speed while standing at the doorbell.
Restart router and modem
ReversibleRestart the router and the modem, then wait for the lights to settle before you test again.
Move the router or add a node
ReversibleMove the router or add a mesh node near the door, so that the doorbell has a stronger signal.
Check router filters
ReversibleCheck the router's filters and DHCP settings, since they can block the doorbell from joining.
Reconnect in the app
ReversibleReconnect the doorbell in the app, or reset it if it will not rejoin the network at all.
Check power
ReversibleCheck the power if the wifi drops, because a weak transformer can make the connection unstable.
Contact ecobee
ReversibleContact ecobee if it still fails, and tell them the signal strength and the pattern of lights.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Placement
- Outdoor walls weaken wifi.
- Live view
- Depends on the doorbell's connection.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it will not join after a reset, contact ecobee support
- !If signal is the issue, add a mesh node
- !If the power is marginal, check the transformer before you look at the wifi
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
General ecobee wifi steps.
Light and voice patterns.
Troubleshooting topic.
Features, integrations and chime.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my doorbell drop wifi?+
A weak signal at the door or marginal power are the usual reasons a doorbell drops its wifi.
Should I add a mesh node?+
A mesh node near the door is often the best fix, since it brings the signal to where it is needed.
Can filters block it?+
Yes, a router's MAC filter or other settings can block the doorbell from joining the network.
Does live view depend on wifi?+
Yes, live view depends on the wifi, so a weak connection gives lag or a failed stream.
Can I reconnect after a router change?+
Yes, you can reconnect it after a router change, by using the app to enter the new details.
Does it update over wifi?+
Yes, it updates over wifi, so a poor connection can also delay its updates.
What does Smart Security add?+
Smart Security adds richer notifications and extra detection features, and one year of it is included with the doorbell.
Can I see the doorbell on my thermostat?+
On a compatible ecobee thermostat, such as the Premium, you can see the doorbell's view on the thermostat display.
Does it work with Alexa?+
Yes, it works with Alexa for live view on Echo Show devices and for announcements when someone presses the button.
What is a Chime Adapter?+
A Chime Adapter is a small part that lets the doorbell sound your in home chime when the button is pressed.
Can it run without an in-home chime?+
Yes, it can run on a plug in transformer, and it can sound a chime on compatible devices instead of a mechanical one.