You alarm system may be armed in either Away or Stay mode. Once the system is activated, each monitored zone has the ability to recognize a violation, i.e., a door or window opened or a motion sensor crossed. Once a zone has been violated, the alarm system communicates with ADT by transmitting a signal through a telephone line or cellular backup, if one is equipped on the system. Once the signal has been received by our ADT monitoring centers, the alarm system will wait to send another message if another zone is tripped. Entering a valid user code and disarming the system will end this process.
Equipment FAQs
To identify the system installed in your home or business, log into MyADT.com and refer to
the the System Information box located on the overview page.
ADT
recommends that you test
your system every 30 days and after any changes to phone or Internet service or any home renovations. If you find that a part of your system is not working properly, please call the troubleshooting number located on our Contact ADT page.
You can refer to your system manual for system specific
help or search the MyADT Help Center for answers to common troubleshooting questions. If you need
additional help you can call the residential or business troubleshooting number
located on our Contact ADT page.
No. If you have an emergency, dial 911 first. If you are unable to dial 911, then depress the panic or fire alarm button on your touchpad and ADT will request emergency services.
After logging into the Pulse app, you'll see a large red or green icon on your dashboard.
- To arm your system, tap the green icon.
- Choose if you'd like to arm your system stay or away.
- To disarm your system, tap the red icon.
Refer to your online security system manual for help with changing your security code.
Occasionally, a
security system keypad may need to be reset due to a power outage or battery
replacement. Learn how to reset your keypad here.
You can find out how to adjust the volume on the system by referring your system manual.
An alarm panel will display
“no ac” when the system has lost electrical current. Your system is now
operating on backup battery power. The outlet should be checked to verify that
it is operational. If the outlet is working properly and your area is not experiencing
a blackout or any other power fluctuations, a service call will be needed.
Please call our residential or business service number located on our Contact
ADT page.
Yes. In a power loss, the back-up battery will activate and will operate your alarm system for several hours. In the event your system battery is or becomes low, a low-battery signal will be sent to ADT’s Customer Monitoring Center. Your system will also show an indication of the low battery by displaying a message (e.g., LOW BATT or BATT) on the keypad or frequently beeping.
Learn what steps to take for a low-battery signal.
Learn what steps to take for a low-battery signal.
If you hold down the panic or fire alarm buttons on the keypad for 1-3 seconds, an alarm is transmitted to the ADT Customer Monitoring Center and emergency services are dispatched immediately. An alarm received in this manner cannot be cancelled.
No. Your system keypad is wired into the security panel bus. Only an ADT technician can move the keypad. He or she will ensure that the keypad is wired correctly and working properly in its new location.
If you are interested
in incorporating additional equipment into your security system, please call
the residential or business service number located on our Contact ADT page to speak with an ADT representative.
Customers can purchase
additional keypads though ADT, however an ADT technician is required to program
it with the service. To order a keypad, call our residential or business
service number located on our Contact ADT page.
Customers can purchase
replacement key fobs from ADT, however an ADT technician is required to program
the key fob. To order a key fob, call the residential or business
troubleshooting number located on our Contact ADT page.
A low battery status means that your battery must be given a chance recharge itself. In the case of power loss, a battery will have the opportunity to recharge itself only once AC power has been restored. If your low battery signal does not disappear after your backup battery has had 24-48 hours to restore, you may need to replace it.
Find the right battery for your peripheral device on our Battery Identification page.
Peripheral devices, such as smoke detectors, motion sensors, and door and window sensors will eventually require battery replacements. While the process is simple, it is imperative to follow the instructions correctly to ensure each device is working and communicating with your system. Watch the following videos to learn more about smoke detector, motion detector, and door and window sensor battery replacement.
Most alarm systems provide a delay period of a defined amount of time to disarm the system before setting off an alarm. This allows users to comfortably disarm their system in plenty of time. The delay period can range from 30 seconds up to 3 minutes.
Events missing from your Alarm Activity report may be due to communication issues between your system and ADT monitoring centers. An alarm system may lose communications for several reasons, like the telephone line the system communicates through becoming inoperable or equipment on the alarm system not functioning properly. Alarm systems should be tested once a month and after any changes to your phone, internet or cable service.
Stay on top of your system’s communication with our monitoring centers by signing up for our Monitoring Reports.
No. Your system is an independent unit and can only be managed from your control touchpad or through your ADT Pulse Portal (if you have an ADT Pulse system).
If an ADT technician
or installer is not currently working on your alarm system and such a message
is displayed, it is likely that your system was left in programming mode. Call
the residential or business service number located on our Contact ADT page for assistance.
Possibly. Both satellite and wireless broadband Internet services are more likely to charge fees based on usage. With these types of services it is possible to exceed your data limit and receive overage charges.
Generally, any cable or DSL speed that is equal to or higher than 256kbps up/1.5mbps down is expected to work with cameras connected to the ADT Pulse system.
For the basic suite of
services, such as remotely arming or disarming your system and having
supplementary notifications and alerts sent to you remotely by ADT, you do not
need to install anything special in your home or business. ADT will install the
complete system and you can access it from almost any web-enabled PC or
web-enabled cellular phone.
For the advanced suite of services, such as remote control of lights and thermostats or video applications, ADT will need access to your high-speed Internet connection. This could be a cable modem connection, DSL, FiOS, U-verse or other high-speed Internet connection. The installer will need to connect the ADT Pulse gateway to an open port on your router. If an open port is not available and you have broadband service, ADT will add a network switch to provide additional connection capability at a nominal charge to you.
Learn more about ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions.
For the advanced suite of services, such as remote control of lights and thermostats or video applications, ADT will need access to your high-speed Internet connection. This could be a cable modem connection, DSL, FiOS, U-verse or other high-speed Internet connection. The installer will need to connect the ADT Pulse gateway to an open port on your router. If an open port is not available and you have broadband service, ADT will add a network switch to provide additional connection capability at a nominal charge to you.
Learn more about ADT Pulse Interactive Solutions.
No. Aircard-based wireless broadband Internet service is generally intended to be used in conjunction with a mobile device, such as a PC. It would not provide the 24/7 availability required for ADT Pulse.
Inclement weather can momentarily effect your system’s operation. Use our Severe Weather guide to prepare yourself ahead of time.
Please refer to your system manual for further assistance.
No. Any effect on your standard broadband system is expected to be minimal. Video cameras generally "push" video out of your home or business and use a portion of your broadband connection to send video, sometimes referred to as the “upload” or “upward path.” Video cameras only push video out when a pre-determined event occurs or when you log in to view live video.
If you moved into a home with an ADT system from the previous homeowner—you are one step closer to helping protect what matters most.
Now that you already have the system installed in your home, all you need to do is call ADT. Most times, if the system is in working order, we may be able to get it reactivated when you Contact Us directly by phone (Add Contact Page link to “Contact Us”) If the system is not working properly, a security professional will test the system during the phone call and help resolve any technical issues.
To get reactivated now, visit the ADT official Safe Move website.
Now that you already have the system installed in your home, all you need to do is call ADT. Most times, if the system is in working order, we may be able to get it reactivated when you Contact Us directly by phone (Add Contact Page link to “Contact Us”) If the system is not working properly, a security professional will test the system during the phone call and help resolve any technical issues.
To get reactivated now, visit the ADT official Safe Move website.
Your sensor or magnet mounting instructions can be downloaded on this PDF reference sheet, or you can watch the instructional video below. You can also visit our detailed Contact Repair Kit instruction page.
As an ADT customer, the cost of your ADT equipment is included as part of your monitoring package cost. Basic ADT monitoring equipment is valued at $850, but with special offers, that ADT equipment price is not something you pay. For basic equipment, ADT customers only pay for professional installation and their monthly monitoring service. Installation costs vary based on the selected package. Equipment like security cameras and video doorbells, are available to purchase at an additional cost. Compare ADT packages to find the best one for you.
The ADT security equipment that is installed as part of your professional installation depends on the package that you purchase. Every ADT home security system package includes a digital keypad, door and window sensors and motion sensor. Additional security equipment like security cameras and doorbell cameras will also be installed if purchased.
ADT installation costs range from $99 to $199 depending on the package you choose and equipment that needs to be installed. This is a one time charge for installation carried out by an experienced technician trained in the best placement of security equipment. You can schedule your installation at your earliest convenience once you purchase an ADT monitored security system.
