ADT systems are the last defense against home invasions by burglars. However, your ADT system may occasionally say “cellular failure,” leaving you distressed. In this case, you’ll be left at crossroads, wondering what the notification means and what to do about it.
Your ADT system says cellular failure because it tried sending a signal to the security monitoring center but failed. This issue may arise from a cell outage in your area or the company phone updating its cellular repeater. Solutions include rebooting or switching to a compatible ADT system.
In this article, I’ll discuss the common reasons your ADT system says cellular failure. I’ll also illustrate how to solve these issues. Keep reading to find out!
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1. Cell Outage in Your Area
Your security system will not work well when there is a cell or power outage in your area. In most cases, this may happen from lousy weather, burglars cutting power lines, or a problem with the cellular company.
When there is a cell outage in your area, the alarm panel will be unable to send a signal to the monitoring center. The system may also be unable to call you or the police in an emergency.
If you live in an area with bad weather, it’s a good idea to have a backup power source for your alarm system. This way, you can still receive notifications and emergency calls even if the power is out.
How To Fix
The first step is to check if there are any outages in your area by visiting the website of your local power company. If there are no outages, you should try resetting your system.
Here is the procedure to reset your ADT system:
- Find the main control panel and open it.
- Input your passcode into the system and press “Off” twice.
- Remove the system from test mode. To do this, open MyADT.com and navigate to the System Management option. Click “My Alarm” from the list, then select “Stop Test.”
The above procedure should help restore operation by removing the ADT alarm panel from test mode.
An alternative approach is to wait for the outage to clear and then run a communication test.
Here is a guide to run a communication test on your ADT panel:
- Log in to your “MyADT” account.
- Scroll to the navigation bar and select “Alarm System.”
- Navigate to the “System Test” tab.
- Click on “Start Test Mode.”
Here is a video demonstrating the above processes:
Alternatively, you can call 800.ADT.ASAP (800.238.2727) for a quick communication test of your system.
The MyADT app also has a guide on how to put your system into testing mode.
Expert Tip: You should arm the system away after putting it in test mode. One way to do this is by opening the door or window protected by the sensor to trigger the alarm. Close the door once triggered, so it’s not left open at the end of the test. Finally, you should allow the alarm to sound for approximately one minute to confirm the signals.
Reboot the ADT Alarm System
If resetting doesn’t solve the problem, try rebooting it using the procedure below:
- Locate the alarm’s transformer. It’s usually somewhere in the ceiling.
- Unscrew the transformer from the power outlet and unplug it.
- Open the panel and unhook the 12-volt battery.
- Leave the system for about 5 minutes.
- Fix the transformer and screw it back.
- Re-hook the battery terminals.
The video below will guide you in rebooting your ADT alarm system:
2. The Company Phone Has Updated Its Cellular Repeater
ADT alarm system operates via a cellular repeater. It uses a company phone signal to communicate with the monitoring center.
However, you may find that your system says “cellular failure” if the company phone has updated its repeater. In this case, your ADT system is no longer compatible with the newer version of the cellular repeater.
How To Fix
To fix this, you need to update your system’s communication settings. However, this is a complicated and risky process that can mess up your entire ADT alarm system.
As a result, ADT recommends calling 800.266.2537 for guidance by a qualified representative. After listening to your issue, the representative will help you troubleshoot the problem and determine whether an update is necessary.
3. Poor Network Coverage in the Area
If you keep getting the cellular failure notification, there’s a possibility that the cellular connection between the ADT panel and the monitoring center has been lost. One reason for this could be poor network coverage in your area.
How To Fix
There are a few things you can do to improve the cellular signal in your home:
- Install a cell phone booster. This will amplify the signal and help the ADT panel communicate with the monitoring center more effectively.
- Keep the ADT control panel away from metal objects and other electronics that might interfere with the signal.
- Place the ADT panel near a window to get better reception.
- If you live in an area with poor cellular coverage, you might consider upgrading to a landline monitoring system. While this isn’t a perfect solution, it will provide more reliable communication between your ADT panel and the monitoring center.
4. Weak Batteries in a Particular Sensor
Smoke detection and security sensors are mainly wireless. Therefore, they use batteries to function. If one of these sensors has weak batteries, it will send a “radio frequency low battery” notification to the ADT panel.
If you fail to notice the “low battery” notification, the system will trigger a “cellular failure” notification when the battery is weak and almost running flat.
If the battery runs flat, the communication between the specific sensor and the security monitoring center will be impaired. Consequently, your security systems can be compromised.
How To Fix
If you think that weak batteries might be the cause of your cellular failure notification, follow these steps:
- Check all your smoke detectors and security sensors to see if their batteries are running low. The system usually sends an SMS text to your phone or App with the details of which device batteries are running low.
- If you find a sensor with weak batteries, replace them with new ones.
- After replacing the batteries, wait for a few minutes and see if the “cellular failure” notification appears again. If it doesn’t, that means the problem is solved.
Summary
A cellular failure notification on your ADT system indicates that something is wrong and must be addressed urgently. The tips shared in this article should help you diagnose and solve the issue. However, you should contact the ADT team for assistance if it all fails.
