To factory reset your Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Camera 2026, press and hold the reset button for 10–15 seconds until the LED flashes red and blue. This erases all settings and restores the camera to its original state, ideal for troubleshooting or preparing it for a new setup. Ensure the camera is powered on and connected during the process to avoid interruptions.

How to Factory Reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026

Key Takeaways

• Power cycle first: Restart the camera to resolve minor glitches before resetting.
• Locate reset button: Find the recessed button on the camera base for factory reset.
• Press and hold: Hold reset button for 10+ seconds until LED flashes red.
• Use Vivint app: Remove camera from app to fully disconnect and reset.
• Reconfigure settings: Re-add camera to app and adjust preferences post-reset.
• Contact support: Reach out if reset fails or camera remains unresponsive.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

Let’s be honest—smart cameras are amazing… until they’re not. Maybe your Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Camera is acting glitchy, refusing to connect to Wi-Fi, or you’re preparing to sell it and want a clean slate. That’s when knowing how to factory reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026 becomes essential.

I’ve been there. My camera froze mid-pan, stuck staring at the ceiling like it had seen a ghost. The app showed “offline” no matter how many times I restarted the router. After hours of troubleshooting, I realized: a factory reset was the only fix. It’s like giving your camera a fresh start—wiping all settings, Wi-Fi credentials, and firmware updates so it behaves like new.

Whether you’re troubleshooting connectivity issues, prepping for a new owner, or just want to reconfigure your home security setup, this guide walks you through how to factory reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026—safely, correctly, and without losing your mind.

What You Need

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got everything ready. The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or a tech degree. Here’s your checklist:

• Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Camera 2026 (obviously)
• A small paperclip or SIM ejector tool (for the reset button)
• Stable Wi-Fi connection (for re-setup later)
• Vivint app installed (iOS or Android, updated to latest version)
• Your Vivint account login (email and password)
• Power source nearby (camera must be powered during the process)

Pro tip: Charge your phone or tablet before starting. You’ll need the app open during the entire reset and reconfiguration process. And yes, this works even if your camera is offline—because the reset happens on the device itself, not the app.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Factory Reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026

Alright, let’s get into it. I’ll walk you through each step like we’re sitting together, troubleshooting over coffee. No jargon, no fluff—just clear, doable actions.

Step 1: Power On and Position Your Camera

First things first: make sure your camera is powered and upright. Plug it into the wall outlet or your existing power source. The LED light should glow solid blue (or white, depending on model variant) after a few seconds.

Now, place it on a stable surface—like a table or shelf—so it’s not dangling or at risk of falling. You’ll be pressing a physical reset button, and you don’t want to knock it over mid-process.

Why this matters: If the camera powers down during the reset, it could get stuck in a boot loop or require a full reflash. Not fun. So double-check the power connection. Use a working outlet and avoid extension cords if possible.

Step 2: Locate the Reset Button

Flip the camera over. On the bottom, near the base, you’ll find a tiny recessed hole—about the size of a pinhead. That’s the reset button. It’s not labeled, but it’s unmistakable once you see it.

Use your paperclip or SIM ejector tool to gently press into this hole. Don’t stab it—just a firm, steady press. You should feel a slight click.

Warning: Don’t use a pen or sharp object. You could damage the internal switch or scratch the housing. A bent paperclip works best—just straighten one end.

This button is the gateway to how to factory reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026, so treat it with care.

Step 3: Press and Hold for 10 Seconds

Now, press and hold the reset button for exactly 10 seconds. No more, no less. I know it sounds precise, but timing matters.

• At around 5 seconds: The LED light will flash red and blue alternately.
• At 10 seconds: The light turns solid red, and the camera emits a soft chime (or beep).

That chime is your cue: “Reset initiated!” Release the button immediately.

Pro Tip: Use your phone’s stopwatch to time it. Human estimation is rarely accurate—and rushing can mean you don’t hold long enough. I once held for 7 seconds and had to restart the whole process.

If you don’t hear the chime or see the solid red light, try again. Make sure you’re holding for the full 10 seconds and that the power stays connected.

Step 4: Wait for the Factory Reset to Complete

After releasing the button, the camera will reboot. This takes 1–2 minutes. During this time:

• The LED flashes red, then blue, then white.
• The camera may pan slowly from left to right (a self-test).
• You might hear another chime.

Once it finishes, the LED turns solid white. That means the factory reset is complete and the camera is ready for setup.

Don’t panic if it takes longer than expected. My first reset took nearly 3 minutes. Just leave it alone—no unplugging, no poking. Let it do its thing.

Step 5: Remove the Camera from the Vivint App

Now, open your Vivint app on your phone or tablet. Even though the camera is reset, it’s still linked to your account.

Go to Devices > Cameras > Select your Pan and Tilt camera. Tap the three dots (menu) and choose “Remove Device”.

Confirm the removal. This step is crucial because if you skip it, the app will still think the camera is yours—and you won’t be able to set it up again without a full account reset (which requires Vivint support).

Why this matters: A factory reset wipes the camera, but the app retains ownership. Removing it frees up the device so you can re-pair it cleanly. Think of it like returning a library book before checking it out again.

This is a key part of how to factory reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026—don’t skip it!

Step 6: Reconnect to Wi-Fi (Optional: Reconfigure)

Now comes the fun part: setting it up again. The camera is now a blank slate. It won’t connect to Wi-Fi automatically.

Open the Vivint app and tap “Add Device”. Select “Camera” > “Pan and Tilt”. Follow the on-screen prompts.

The app will guide you through:

• Connecting to the camera’s temporary hotspot (it creates a local Wi-Fi network named “Vivint-XXXX”).
• Selecting your home Wi-Fi network.
• Entering your Wi-Fi password.
• Waiting for the camera to join your network (usually takes 1–2 minutes).

Once connected, the LED turns solid blue, and the camera appears in your app.

You can now rename it, adjust motion sensitivity, set activity zones, and enable notifications—just like the first time.

Step 7: Test the Camera (Verify the Reset Worked)

Before you celebrate, do a quick test. Here’s what to check:

• Live view: Open the app and tap the camera. You should see real-time video with smooth pan and tilt controls.
• Motion detection: Wave your hand in front of the camera. It should trigger a recording and send a notification.
• Night vision: Turn off the lights. The IR LEDs should activate, showing a clear black-and-white image.
• Two-way audio: Tap the mic button and speak. You should hear your voice through the camera’s speaker.

If all these work, congratulations! Your Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Camera 2026 has been successfully reset and reconfigured.

If something’s still off (e.g., no motion alerts), go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults in the app and repeat the process. Sometimes a second reset clears lingering glitches.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, I’ve made every mistake in the book. Let me save you the headache with these hard-won insights.

Pro Tip 1: Reset During Off-Peak Hours

Do this when your household is quiet. Why? Because the camera emits a loud chime during reset and setup. If your toddler is napping or your roommate is on a Zoom call, you’ll regret the timing. I once reset mine at 7 PM—my dog went nuts barking at the noise. Not ideal.

Pro Tip 2: Use the Paperclip, Not Your Finger

That reset button is tiny. Trying to press it with your finger will only frustrate you. A paperclip gives you precision and control. I keep one taped to the camera’s power cord now—saves time later.

Pro Tip 3: Label Your Cameras Before Reset

If you have multiple Vivint cameras, label them (e.g., “Front Door,” “Back Yard”) before resetting. After a reset, they all look the same in the app. I once spent 20 minutes trying to figure out which camera was which—ended up resetting the wrong one. Oops.

Common Mistake #1: Skipping the App Removal

This is the #1 error I see. People reset the camera but forget to remove it from the app. Then they try to re-add it and get an error: “Device already in use.”

Solution: Always remove the device from the app after the physical reset. It’s a two-part process.

Common Mistake #2: Unplugging Mid-Reset

Don’t unplug the camera while it’s rebooting. I did this once, thinking it was stuck. The camera bricked and needed a firmware reflash from Vivint support. Took 3 days to fix.

Rule of thumb: If the LED is flashing, let it finish. Patience pays.

Common Mistake #3: Using Weak Wi-Fi

The camera needs a strong signal to connect after reset. If your Wi-Fi is spotty in the camera’s location, it may fail to re-pair.

Test your signal first. Use your phone to check Wi-Fi strength. If it’s weak, consider a Wi-Fi extender or move the router closer.

Pro Tip 4: Reset Before Selling or Gifting

If you’re passing your camera to a friend or selling it, always factory reset it first. Otherwise, they’ll get your Wi-Fi password, motion history, and even saved clips. Not cool.

I once sold a used camera without resetting it. The buyer called me a week later asking why they were getting my backyard motion alerts. Awkward.

FAQs About How to Factory Reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026

Got questions? I’ve got answers—straight from real-life experience.

Q: Can I factory reset the camera remotely?

A: No. The physical reset button must be pressed manually. You can’t trigger a factory reset from the app or Vivint website. This is a security feature—it prevents hackers from wiping your camera remotely.

I wish it were possible. But honestly, it’s a good thing. It means your camera stays under your control, even if someone gains access to your app.

Q: Will a factory reset delete my recorded videos?

A: Yes—but only the ones stored on the camera’s internal memory (if it has any). Most Vivint cameras save clips to the cloud, not locally. So if you’re on a Vivint plan with cloud storage, your videos are safe.

But if you use local storage (e.g., a microSD card), the reset won’t delete it—but the camera won’t recognize it until you reformat it. Best to back up important clips before resetting.

Q: What if the reset button doesn’t work?

A: Try these fixes:

• Use a fresh paperclip (a bent one may not reach).
• Clean the hole with compressed air (dust can block the button).
• Hold for a full 10 seconds—no cheating!
• Power cycle the camera: unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in and try again.

If it still won’t work, contact Vivint support. The button may be faulty—rare, but possible.

Q: Can I reset the camera without the app?

A: You can reset it physically, but you’ll need the app to reconfigure it. The camera won’t connect to Wi-Fi or send notifications without app setup.

So while the reset itself is manual, the full process requires the app. Think of it like resetting a phone—you need iTunes or the manufacturer’s tool to restore it.

Q: How often should I factory reset my Vivint camera?

A: Only when necessary. I recommend it:

• When troubleshooting persistent glitches.
• Before selling or gifting the device.
• After a major firmware update that causes issues.

Don’t do it monthly. It’s not like a computer—cameras are built to run for years without resetting. Over-resetting can wear out the internal components.

Q: Will the reset affect my Vivint system’s other devices?

A: No. The reset only affects the specific camera. Your door sensors, thermostats, and other devices will keep working normally.

The camera is a standalone device in the ecosystem. Removing and re-adding it doesn’t disrupt your smart home setup.

Q: What if the camera won’t connect to Wi-Fi after reset?

A: First, check your Wi-Fi password. Typos are the #1 cause of connection failures. Re-enter it carefully.

If that doesn’t work:

• Restart your router.
• Move the camera closer to the router during setup.
• Try a different Wi-Fi network (e.g., a guest network).
• Contact Vivint support—they can check for network compatibility issues.

Sometimes the camera’s Wi-Fi module gets stuck. A second reset often fixes it.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to factory reset Vivint Pan and Tilt Video Cameras 2026 might seem like a small task, but it’s one of those skills that saves you time, money, and frustration down the road.

It’s not just about fixing glitches—it’s about taking control of your smart home. Whether you’re troubleshooting, upgrading, or passing your camera to someone else, a clean reset gives you peace of mind.

Remember: the process is simple but precise. Power on, press the button for 10 seconds, remove from the app, and reconfigure. That’s it.

And if you ever get stuck? Don’t panic. I’ve been there. Take a breath, double-check the steps, and try again. Or reach out to Vivint support—they’re actually pretty helpful.

Now, go reset that camera. Your smart home will thank you.