How to Fix Vivint Panel Not Connected to WiFi

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Several issues can cause your panel to lose the connection to your home WiFi network. A passing storm may have knocked your power and network offline. An Internet outage in the area could have caused the WiFi to go out. In this moment, your top priority may be to get your panel reconnected to the router expeditiously.

You can avoid frustration and guesswork in troubleshooting problems like this with proper guidance.

In this guide we'll cover how to get your router rebooted in the event it or the outlet lost power. Learn how to reconnect the panel to WiFi and test the it with the system connection test. Find out how to test your WiFi to determine if you should contact Vivint or your ISP.

Tools You'll Need:

  • A paperclip
  • iPhone charging cable
  • Access to a computer with iTunes installed
  • Any other non-consumable tools needed
  • Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

  • Zip ties
  • Any other consumable supplies
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Before You Begin:

  • You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
  • You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

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Vivint Panel


2. Make sure your WiFi router has power

Check the router for power

  1. Check the lights on the router. If it has any lights on, then it has power. If you have a separate modem and/or multiple routers, ensure they also have power.
router
  1. If the router has no power, we need to check the outlet.
  2. If you are positive the outlet has power, the issue could be with the router itself.

How to check the outlet for power

  1. Make sure you are using a working power outlet.
  2. You can test another electric device, such as a lamp, with the same power outlet. Bypass any power strips for troubleshooting purposes.
Turned on lamp plugged into power outlet.
  1. If the outlet has no power, try restoring it.

3. Restart your router

Connection issues can be resolved quickly and easily by restarting the Internet equipment. The process is the same whether you have multiple routers or a separate modem.

The power cable for modems and routers are typically located near the bottom. They tend to be a thin black cord without any clips in it.

  1. Unplug power from the back of your router. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
router
  1. Repeat this step for any additional routers you may have.
  2. If you have a separate modem, unplug power from it. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
Back of cable modem, power port highlighted.

  1. Some modems may have a battery backup to keep the telephone service working in case of a power outage. If the lights on your modem do not turn off when you disconnect the power cable, make sure you also remove the battery as well, then put it back in place before you reconnect the power cable.
  2. Allow 3 to 6 minutes for the modem and router to start up fully.

4. Reconnect your panel to WiFi

Disarm your system

SkyControl

Disarm from the panel

  1. From the home screen, tap and hold the Shield icon.
home screen shield icon
  1. Drag down to disarm your home.
Disarm
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to disarm.
please enter your pin to disarm
  1. The system is now disarmed.
Disarmed.
Vivint App

Disarm from the app

  1. Launch the Vivint Smart Home app.
vivint
  1. Press the Shield icon in the middle of the screen and drag down.
shield icon
  1. The system is now disarmed.

Open general settings

  1. Tap the Home button on the panel to bring up the home screen.
home button
  1. From the home screen, tap the menu icon in the navigation bar.
Menu
  1. Tap General under Smart Home Settings.
General
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to access general settings.
Please enter your PIN

Go to the WiFi settings

  1. Tap Connectivity.
connectivity
  1. Tap WiFi to open WiFi settings.
wifi
  1. Tap the line item directly above Info and diagnostics.
info and diagnostics

Connect your panel to WiFi

  1. Tap on your WiFi network name (SSID).
wifi ssid
  1. If you don't see your WiFi listed, tap Refresh List. If it still doesn't show up, tap Other to join another network. Then manually enter your network name (SSID).
  2. Enter your WiFi password when prompted. Tap OK.
  3. It may take up to five minutes to reconnect the panel to WiFi.

5. How to reboot your panel

Disarm your system

SkyControl

Disarm from the panel

  1. From the home screen, tap and hold the Shield icon.
home screen shield icon
  1. Drag down to disarm your home.
Disarm
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to disarm.
please enter your pin to disarm
  1. The system is now disarmed.
Disarmed.
Vivint App

Disarm from the app

  1. Launch the Vivint Smart Home app.
vivint
  1. Press the Shield icon in the middle of the screen and drag down.
shield icon
  1. The system is now disarmed.

Open panel settings

  1. Tap the Home button on the panel to bring up the home screen.
home button
  1. From the home screen, tap the menu icon in the navigation bar.
Menu
  1. Tap Devices under Smart Home Settings.
Devices
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to access devices.
Please enter your PIN

Reboot the panel

  1. Tap Displays for a list of your Vivint panels.
displays
  1. Tap to select your panel.
panel
  1. Tap Reboot to restart the panel.
reboot
  1. Tap Yes if you are sure you want to reboot. It can take around 10-20 minutes to reboot. During this time, you will be unable to access your Vivint system.
reboot yes

6. Check to see if panel is connected to WiFi

Disarm your system

SkyControl

Disarm from the panel

  1. From the home screen, tap and hold the Shield icon.
home screen shield icon
  1. Drag down to disarm your home.
Disarm
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to disarm.
please enter your pin to disarm
  1. The system is now disarmed.
Disarmed.
Vivint App

Disarm from the app

  1. Launch the Vivint Smart Home app.
vivint
  1. Press the Shield icon in the middle of the screen and drag down.
shield icon
  1. The system is now disarmed.

Open general settings

  1. Tap the Home button on the panel to bring up the home screen.
home button
  1. From the home screen, tap the menu icon in the navigation bar.
Menu
  1. Tap General under Smart Home Settings.
General
  1. Enter your 4-Digit PIN to access general settings.
Please enter your PIN

Go to the WiFi settings

  1. Tap Connectivity.
connectivity
  1. Tap WiFi to open WiFi settings.
wifi
  1. Tap System connection test.
system connection test
  1. If the panel passes the test, then it is connected to WiFi. If problems are reported then your home WiFi may be having issues.

7. Check your home WiFi

Check your home WiFi network to make sure it is working. Select your operating system below to find the quick way to make sure your network is online.

Windows

Windows

Many Windows computers can connect using a Wired or WiFi connection, both will work.

Wired Connection

Windows 10 Wired Connection

If you are using a wired connection, the icon will show on your toolbar that looks like a small screen next to an Ethernet cable, and pointing at it will show the name of the connection and the words "Internet access" indicating you are online.

Status window for Wired connection

WiFi Connection

Windows 10 WiFi connection

If you are using a WiFi connection, the icon will show on your toolbar that looks like arcs coming from a point, and pointing at it will show the name of the connection and the word "Internet access" indicating you are online.

Pointing at WiFi connection for information.

Apple

Apple macOS

Many Apple Mac computers can connect using a Wired or WiFi connection, though some MacBooks do not have an Ethernet port and rely on WiFi. Both will work.

  1. Open the Apple Menu, and select System Preferences.
macOS Mojave Apple Menu with System Preferences highlighted.
  1. Select Network.
Network Preferences
  1. Make sure one of the networks on the left has a Green Dot next to it, and when highlighted the Status shows as Connected.
Network Preferences with connection and Status highlighted.

Android

Android

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet, and select Wi-Fi.
Android Settings.

Wi-Fi
  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On. The Wi-Fi network that you are connected to will say Connected under its name.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi On switch and connected network highlighted.

Apple

Apple iOS

Depending on your exact device (Smartphone or Tablet), and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Apple iOS devices and generations.

  1. Open Settings, and select Wi-Fi.
iOS Settings.

iOS Wi-Fi
  1. Make sure one of the networks listed shows a Checkmark indicating it is connected.
iOS WiFi Preferences showing connected.

8. If your panel is still not connected to WiFi

support

If you have tried the troubleshooting steps and the panel is still not connected to WiFi, contact Vivint support for more help.

9. Contact your ISP

call your isp

If you can't establish a connection to WiFi using the correct password, then contact your Internet service provider.

10. Restore power to the outlet

If the outlet doesn't have power, it is easy to assume the worst. It's true that some electrical problems are best left for an electrician. However, there are some simple steps you can take first to get power back on. After restoring power, check the panel to see if the camera is back online.

Check for a switch controlling the outlet

If your outlet is set up so that it can be controlled by flipping a switch on and off, make sure the switch is in the ON position.

Light Switch On

Check for GFCI outlet

A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet protects against deadly electrical shocks by tripping off power in certain circumstances. If your device is plugged into a GFCI outlet, press the RESET button to make sure it isn't tripped.

gfci reset

Check the circuit breaker box

Circuit breakers interrupt power to a circuit when the electrical current flow is above safe levels. Go to the electrical panel, locate the tripped breaker and reset it. To reset it, move the switch to the OFF position and then turn it back to the ON position. Power should now be restored.

circuit breaker

11. If the outlet still does not have power

electrician

If the outlet still doesn't have power or it continues to trip, contact a qualified electrician. A professional will be able to resolve the underlying issue and get the power back online to that circuit.