How to pair my Orion doorbell?

[NikiB99]

I'm getting close to throwing my doorbell out the window.  We recently switched from fibre to 5G.  All is good BUT silly me deleted the doorbell from the app (instead of just changing the network). 

Now I have a very fast flashing red light (around the button). It seems to be faster than once per second (which would be pairing mode) so indicates it has lost network connection. It flashes for quite a while and then turns off, then it changes to solid red before it starts flashing again.

I have gone to the app and tried to add it, but it won't read the QR code. (And trust me, I have spent a LOT of time moving the two around to try.)

I have tried resetting it (using a paperclip). When I did it originally I got a little red light between the speaker and the button. I got excited and tried pairing it again. Nope - back to the rapid flashing red light and no pairing. Now I try to reset it, nothing changes.

In the app I have tried to 'auto scan' but it keeps telling me to enable Bluetooth even though Bluetooth is enabled on my phone. I ignore the message and 'start scanning' and wait and wait and wait but nothing happens. Other devices show up as connected to Bluetooth.

I wondered if the 5G (which I understand is 2.4GHz and 5GHz combined so I tried connecting to the old fibre 2.4GHz network (which is still temporarily connected). Nope, made no difference. Has anyone else paired to 5G? Is this my problem?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @NikiB99. It's great to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about an Orion doorbell.

Before I dive into troubleshooting, have you contacted Arlec, the supplier of the unit on 1300 267 168 or cs@arlec.com.au? They can offer more detailed troubleshooting, especially with the Grid Connect app, and help guide you through the pairing process. They may also be able to let you know if the issue is related to the new 5G network or if the unit has failed. It’s possible the doorbell is struggling with the network change, but Arlec can definitely provide more insight on that. Typically, they'll get you to run a series of tests to resolve the issue or determine the fault.

In the meantime, you’ve already done a lot of the right steps, like resetting the unit and trying different network options. If you haven’t already, I'd suggest going through the process with Arlec’s support team, as they’ll have specific guidance for pairing issues and the 5G compatibility.

Let me also tag @CSParnell in case he has any thoughts or tips on getting the doorbell connected, especially considering the network switch. Hopefully, we can help get this sorted for you.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[CSParnell]

Hey @MitchellMc and @NikiB99 

First thing first I am assuming this doorbell is Wifi connection and not Bluetooth connection and requires the Bluetooth hub?? Just making sure as it can be a trap.

Second I have the same issue at home on my network with 2.4 and 5G what I have done is make 2 wireless network connections 1 is 2.4g only for smart devices and the other is combined 2.4 and 5gfor general WiFi this way your smart devices run happy on the 2.4 and you can communicate with them on the other combined network, you may need to make one of them a guest to achieve this.

To pair devices you will need to be on the 2.4g network only with your phone otherwise it won't work but once paired you can use the combined network. 

Ok if it won't connect and here is the issue a fair bit of the time if you have sorted your wireless out. 

Check the battery if it has one, change for a new one just in case for pairing.

Check your App and if the device is still listed these delete it and all data as well.

Then Pair it in AP mode not EZ mode.

Follow the instructions below.

How to connect via AP Mode 

If this doesn't work consult with Arlec.

Good luck

[NikiB99]

Hi there.

Thanks for your response. After I posted I managed to set up a Guest account with 2.4GHz only. 

I'll have to unscrew the doorbell to get to the battery compartment and I'll have to go downstairs and find a screwdriver to do that. However, I've only just recharged it and the battery was showing at 90% before I deleted it.

It's definitely deleted in the app.

I looked at the instructions for AP mode, but it says that camera products don't have an AP mode. (It also says to turn the "light" on and off 3 times to get the light to flash slowly - I can't do that.)

I have contacted Arlec via email. Initially they said it couldn't be done but they also asked for our broadband provider and the camera model. At that stage I'd already worked out how to set up the Guest account so I gave them an update on that. The camera is quite old (3 - 4 years?) and I am wondering if they're going to say we need to upgrade to get it to work.  

I'll keep you posted, but thanks for the tips.

[EricL]

Hi @NikiB99 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to hearing that you got your doorbell working again.

Eric

[NikiB99]

Thanks for your help team but the video doorbell has been declared dead. It is paired to a chime and works as a 'normal' doorbell, but Arlec Tech Support got me to try everything I'd already tried, and then declared the video functionality was 'broken'.

So now the $64,000 question is what will I replace it with? 

In some ways I think Orion products and the Grid Connect software are quite 'clunky' but then I haven't used any others so they may be worse.

As well as the doorbell camera, I'd like an indoor 'dog cam' and maybe another outside camera (for various reasons we're limited as to where we can put them). I want the doorbell to be motion detected and a challenge I had with the Orion one was that there was often quite a long lag between knowing someone was at the door, and getting the alert to my phone. I don't want to use Cloud storage. Husband is a sparky so hard-wired is doable (although I'll have to listen to him moan about it).

Ring, Eufy and Swann (depending who you speak to) all seem to have good names too. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[EricL]

Hi @NikiB99,

I'm sorry to hear you were unable to resuscitate your Orion doorbell. When choosing the best doorbell camera among Ring, Eufy, and Swann, it really comes down to your personal priorities, such as video quality, smart features, subscription costs, and storage options.

Ring offers a wide range of models with high-quality video (up to 1536p on newer versions), advanced features like motion zones and package detection, and seamless integration with Alexa. However, it does require a subscription (starting at ~$4 AUD/month) for features like video recording and person detection, and uses cloud storage exclusively.

Eufy is a great choice for those who prefer to avoid subscriptions. It provides free local storage (up to 16GB via the HomeBase hub), excellent video quality (up to 2K), AI features like human detection, and compatibility with both Google Assistant and Alexa. However, it does require the HomeBase hub for local storage, and its smart home integrations are more limited compared to other options.

Swann doorbells are a solid option, particularly for those who are already using Swann security systems. They offer both local and cloud storage options, heat-sensing motion detection, and reliable 1080p video quality. The Swann system is a great choice if you need flexibility with your storage options.

For most users, Eufy provides great long-term value with its high-quality features and no ongoing costs, while Ring is a versatile option with premium features and a strong smart home ecosystem. Swann is a great choice if you’re already invested in their security systems or need dual storage solutions.

I’ll also reach out to our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, and @CSParnell for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @NikiB99 

I have been down that path of pairing stuff with apps and getting it on the network. SOme units work perfectly while others fail and deleteing them while failed ... 😕 yeah feel your pain and mine was only a powerboard. WIth the doorbell I have a faint mempry of trying to bump it to the 5G network and then realised its not capable so 2.4GHz is where it stayed. Pairing for app control and also getting it on the wirless network is problematic I think. My only suggestion is to get the 2.4Ghz going (sounds like thats what you did) and then try fresh again. Even to creating a new account for the app.

😕

As to the security cameras and apps my workmates and I have talked aboout them for years. 

I dont want to pay a subscription

I want to be able to store it on a local PC that I can access from outside the house.

I want to choose the length of time I keep the recordings.

Finding a system that does that is hard. Most systems I came across only recod to a sd card 😕 or subscrition. There was one model that didnt tho. I cant rem the name of the company and just went looking in my bookmarks but it looks like it may have been a TP - Link model

I like the idea of hardwiring the cameras, especially with your husband being a sparky Id get some earmuffs for the whinging and go that route. Far better to have something you know how it works then with storage in the cloud. (something im not personally keen on) It also removes one issue while trying to get a system to work and thats the wirless issue.

I am a sparky btw and yes have wired my place as I know what happens when the wirless network gets saturated and thinks go funny.

Dave

[CSParnell]

@NikiB99 

I would look at the wireless home hubs as an option and see what this can be expanded to eg, outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, doorbell cameras, door strikes and so on that way you are future proofing without subscription. I'm really not up on the residential security products over the last 18 months sorry but tech in general is coming along pretty fast

[Nailbag]

HI @NikiB99 

Some great advice there from @EricL and insight from @Dave-1 I have installed quite a few Eufy and RING doorbells both standalone and part of security systems over the years and more recently a Swann system, though it didn't include a doorbell.. Here are a few additional notes to consider. 

The more movement they sense and each time you access the doorbell live, the more power they drain when on battery. They often state about 3mths, but it can be as little as 1 depending on those conditions. So, I highly recommend  spending the extra and get the powered versions. Providing of course power can be run to the doorbell position. This can be tagged off a light switch from an internal wall by an electrician using a suitable power supply. 

In my own home I have an Eufy security system and originally a doorbell. But after 6mths of dissatisfaction in its performance, I changed the bell to a RING, which I had in our previous home. Though paying for a single camera subscription, RING compared to Eufy is far more effective on detection notifications being within a few seconds, easy access to instant snooze settings on a smart watch, geofencing consistently works perfectly, better camera lens (despite resolution), clearer audio for the visitor to hear, faster access live footage and the ability to scroll across a timeline to access all footage is excellent. I also like the rapid movement notifications both on my smart devices and the internal doorbell as 90% of the time couriers drop and run parcels.

Regards, Nailbag