Vivint Doorbell Camera Requires Power Cycle? (Fix it Fast)

If your Vivint doorbell camera requires power cycle, it can be frustrating, especially when you count on it to secure your porch.

When this happens, it might freeze, show a yellow light that won’t go away, or lose its application connection. 

• The “Power cycle required” message appears on your Vivint control panel every couple of days if there’s an electrical problem with the doorbell.

The problem could be a weak power supply, a transformer issue, or a Wi-Fi inconsistency, but don’t worry—we’ve got an easy fix to get it working again.

Vivint Doorbell Camera Requires Power Cycle – 9 Quick Fixes!

Note: Have you checked the conditions/patterns under which the error appears and goes away?

1. Power Reset the Doorbell

Let’s start with something simple, like rebooting your Vivint doorbell camera. The issue might be a power glitch or a connection insufficiency.

Thus, a quick power cycle, as the error on the Vivint control panel suggests, should sort out the doorbell problem effectively.

Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug the doorbell’s transformer from the outlet.
2. Wait 30 seconds for the system to fully shut down.
3. Plug the transformer back into the outlet securely.
4. After ~30 seconds, turn the breaker back to “ON.”
5. Wait for the LED to turn yellow, then solid white.

If the transformer is unreachable, flip the breaker switch instead.

Note: To ensure a proper reset, make sure to wait for the full 30 seconds!

2. Force Reboot the Doorbell

The next step is to try a simple reboot right from your Vivint Doorbell Camera.

This can resolve issues like the camera freezing, going offline, or refusing to load the live video feed in the app due to a temporary glitch.

This often resolves the doorbell message requiring the power cycle.

Follow these instructions:

1. Press the doorbell button and check for a green light.
2. Now, if it’s green, hold the button until it turns yellow.
3. Listen for “Release now to reboot” from the camera.
4. Release the button once you hear the voice message.
5. Wait as the doorbell light changes from yellow to white.
6. Allow the doorbell to reboot for several minutes.

This reboot usually takes 5–7 minutes total, so don’t rush it. If the light doesn’t turn green at first, the Vivint doorbell camera might need a different fix.

Note: Remain patient while the doorbell reconnects to Wi-Fi after the white light shows up!

3. Inspect the Doorbell Terminals

The next step is to check the terminal connections on your Vivint doorbell, especially when the “requires power cycle Vivint doorbell camera” still shows on the panel. 

Loose or poorly secured wires can disrupt power and cause the camera to act up, so a quick inspection might solve it without much technical knowledge required.

Follow these steps to inspect the terminals:

1. Turn off the power at the breaker for your doorbell circuit.
2. Next, unscrew the doorbell from the back plate carefully.
3. After that, pull the wires out gently from the A/C terminals.
4. Check both doorbell wire hooks for looseness or damage.

If either of the wires appears loose, try this:

• Bend wires into hooks if they are not secure.
• Tighten the hooks under the terminals firmly.

This takes about 10–15 minutes with a screwdriver, but before that, make sure the breaker’s off before touching wires to stay safe. If the wire leads face right, they will secure better when tight.

Note: Don’t forget to test the camera after powering it back on!

4. Adjust the Vivint System Volume

Sometimes your Vivint doorbell needs a tweak, not a full reset. If the chime’s too quiet or muted, it might seem like the system’s failing and requires a power cycle.

Increasing the volume on the Vivint panel could solve this easily.

Here’s how to regulate the system’s volume:

1. Go to the homepage on your Vivint panel screen.
2. Now, press the settings icon in the right corner.
3. Find and enter the “General” category.
4. After that, slide “Panel Volume” to 70% or higher.

The panel acts as your chime, so low volume can trick you into thinking the camera is broken, so we recommend setting both sliders between 70–80%.

Note: Don’t forget to adjust “Doorbell Volume” to match the panel’s level.

5. Inspect the Chime & Adapter

Note: Only proceed with this step if you use a custom chime with the Vivint doorbell.

Your Vivint doorbell might be working well, but the chime could be the issue.

A faulty chime or Vivint chime adapter might reduce the power or sound, making it seem like the camera is OFF and interfering with the panel from displaying the well-known “requires a power cycle” error. 

The chime installation consists of several components, one of which is the Chime Adapter that converts the transformer’s voltage into usable 12–24 VAC.

How to Check the Chime and Adapter:

1. Turn off the breaker to the doorbell system.
2. Find the chime, often in a hallway or room.
3. Uninstall the chime cover to see the inside.
4. Inspect the adapter’s wires for loose ends.

The connections must be tightened in several places:

• Tighten connections on the doorbell transformer terminals.
• Secure the wires on the “TRANS” and “FRONT” or “REAR”.

The adapter links the chime to the camera, so loose wiring can impact the panel and cause it to display the “requires a power cycle” error message. 

Reminder: Don’t forget to test the Vivint doorbell right after securing the chime’s connections!

6. Re-add the Vivint Doorbell

Well, knowing only how to power cycle the Vivint doorbell camera is rarely enough, as sometimes the Vivint Doorbell camera needs a fresh start to function properly.

A sync issue with the panel might stop it from ringing or connecting properly, hence removing and re-adding the doorbell can solve this.

Step #1: Remove the Camera from the System

1. Disarm your Vivint system via the panel.
2. Tap “Device settings” on the main screen.
3. Next, scroll to your camera and select it.
4. Press “Delete camera” at the bottom fast.

Step #2: Re-add the Camera to the System

1. Press the menu icon on the Vivint panel.
2. Go to “Smart Home devices” in settings.
3. Then, tap “NFC” and tap the “Add” option.
4. Follow the prompts to re-add the camera.
5. Next, test the doorbell to check if it’s back.

The procedure takes about 10 minutes and resets the connection, so don’t forget to use the default PIN if prompted—usually 2203.

Tip: Ensure the Vivint mobile app is on the most current firmware version!

7. Replace the Doorbell Transformer

If your Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro isn’t powering up right, the transformer might be dead.

You can grab a replacement from hardware stores or online, typically found under the electrical tab. 

• You can find the transformer in the system’s individual chime box or plugged near an outlet next to the Vivint panel.

For a compatible transformer, go with a 16V–24V model with at least 10VA, as per the Vivint doorbell minimum system requirement for operating properly.

8. Reinstall the Vivint Application

Your Vivint Doorbell might be working well, but the app could be the culprit. An outdated version, missing files, or corrupt data can mess up the Vivint doorbell and cause the “power cycle” error.

Step #1: Uninstall the Vivint App

1. Find the Vivint app on your phone screen.
2. Press and hold the icon until options show.
3. Now, tap “Uninstall” or “Remove this app”.
4. Confirm the removal of the Vivint application.

Step #2: Install the Latest Version

1. Open the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Search for “Vivint” in the search bar there.
3. Tap “Install” to download the application.
4. Then, open it and sign in with your details.

A fresh install is better than clearing the cache for persistent issues with the doorbell camera’s connection or error messages on the Vivint panel.

Verify you’ve granted all permissions of the Vivint app, such as location-sharing and local network access.

Note: Don’t forget to verify that your smartphone is connected to the internet before reinstalling!

9. Factory Reset the Doorbell & Panel

If your Vivint doorbell camera requires a power cycle too often, a full factory reset might be the best working solution.

Glitches in the doorbell or panel can break the connection between them, and a factory reset is guaranteed to wipe these issues clean.

Warning: All of your doorbell and camera settings will be erased permanently!

How to Reset the Vivint Doorbell Camera?

1. Press and hold the doorbell button firmly.
2. Now, wait for the LED to turn red steadily.
3. Listen for “Release now to factory reset.”
4. Release when you hear the audio prompt.

How to Reset the Vivint Panel to Defaults?

1. Press the menu icon on the panel screen.
2. Go to “Toolbox” and enter the PIN code.
3. Tap “Reset system” from the options list.
4. Confirm the OS reset and wait for a reboot.
5. Re-add the doorbell via NFC after the reset.

Don’t forget the doorbell’s default PIN is often 2203 if needed for the panel.

The factory reset will last for approximately 30–40 seconds on each of the devices, so cease all interactions with the doorbell and the panel once they’ve started the reset. 

Note: If your doorbell keeps asking for a power cycle, perhaps there is a problem in your unit, so contact Vivint customer support for further assistance.