You can install your Xfinity Video Doorbell from Xfinity Home. The Xfinity Video Doorbell combines a doorbell and camera in one device, allowing you to easily keep an eye on your front door from anywhere.
Get a pro to do it! For Xfinity Home Pro Monitoring customers, our technicians can professionally install your video doorbell if preferred. Contact us to schedule an appointment. Customers who subscribe to Xfinity Home Self Protection can reach out to HelloTech for professional installation.
What you'll need:
- Access to the Xfinity app
- All parts in the included Getting Started kit:
- Xfinity Video Doorbell
- Angled bracket
- Wall bracket
- Chime kit
- Wall screws (2)
- Wall anchors (2)
- Replacement terminal screw (1)
- Masonry drill bit (1)
- Additional tools to install the doorbell:
- Power drill
- #2 Phillips-head screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers (optional)
- Hammer or mallet (optional)
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time Needed
About 45-60 minutes
Before you begin
- Know your local laws. Comply with all local regulations and applicable building codes.
- Pick your location.
- Find good shelter.
- Keeping your lens clear is critical for a clear picture.
- If your home has an overhang that will provide shelter from the weather, it will minimize rain or snow sticking to the camera's lens.
- Installing it beneath an overhang may also provide shade to help keep the Video Doorbell within an optimum operating temperature (-4°F to 104°F).
- Keeping your lens clear is critical for a clear picture.
- Find good shelter.
- Confirm that your existing doorbell works by pressing the button and listening for the chime. Also, note the type of bell that your current doorbell uses:
- Mechanical (most common) — One set ring tone played by striking a bell or chime.
- Digital — Multiple ring tones played from a speaker.
- Determine how your current doorbell is powered.
- The video doorbell is designed to replace an existing wired doorbell.
- If your current doorbell uses batteries, your existing setup is more complicated than most. Contact us to discuss options.
- Work safely. Follow the tool manufacturer's recommendations on best safety practices.
- Don't drill in wet conditions.
- Don't drill into siding during sub-freezing weather as it may cause cracking.
- Take care to not drill through cables and wires.
- Ensure the voltage of your existing wiring meets voltage requirements.
- Determine which breaker controls your existing doorbell and chime. If you are unsure, understand how to turn off the main breaker for your home.
How to find and test your doorbell's voltage
Make sure your doorbell wiring meets voltage requirements. Your Xfinity Video Doorbell needs a voltage between 16-24 volts (VAC). If you have questions regarding your doorbell wiring’s voltage, consult a licensed professional.
How to turn power off and back on to your existing wired doorbell
Installing your doorbell while the power is on may result in serious injury and/or damage to your doorbell. Determine which breaker controls your existing doorbell and chime and switch off the power. If you're unsure what circuit the doorbell breaker is on, turn off the main breaker for your home, and try ringing it to make sure the power is off.
After you've completed physical installation of your chime kit and Xfinity Video Doorbell (outlined below), turning the power back on is a matter of flipping the breaker back to the on position. If you turned off the main breaker to your home, turning it back on can send a considerable power surge to all the circuits at the same time. Professional electricians usually restore power by first turning all branch circuit breakers to the OFF position, then turning the main circuit breaker back on, and then turning each individual circuit back on, one at a time.
With some breakers, turning a breaker back on requires that you first push the toggle lever fully past the OFF position to engage its spring action, back to the ON position.
Working with chime boxes and chime types
The chime box is where the sound for your doorbell comes out. It’s most likely mounted on a wall, but you can ring your current doorbell and follow the sound to find it. To remove and then replace the cover, you may need a screwdriver.
To find out if the door chime is mechanical or digital, the simplest method is to listen to the sound the bell makes when you ring it. If it makes the traditional "ding-dong" sound, it's most likely a mechanical bell.
| Chime type | Description | How to identify | Compatible with Xfinity Video Doorbell |
| Mechanical (Most Common) | A mechanical chime creates sound by using a physical bell and a mechanical hammer to make a traditional "ding dong" sound. | When the chime box cover is removed and doorbell button is pressed, you should see a hammer strike to generate the sound. | These are compatible if the wiring meets voltage requirements. |
| Digital | A digital or electronic chime has a speaker to replicate the "ding-dong" sound of a doorbell ring. Some models may play a selected or randomized melody set by the user. These chimes may come with a battery compartment (usually AA, AAA or C batteries). Note: The diode must be removed to work with the Xfinity Video Doorbell. | When the chime box cover is removed and doorbell button is pressed, you won't see any moving parts as the melody is played. | If you have a digital chime with batteries only, please contact us for further assistance. (Not Compatible) If you have a digital chime with batteries and wiring, the chime is compatible once the batteries are removed. Your wiring must also meet voltage requirements. |
| Wireless | A wireless doorbell system includes a chime box receiver and a doorbell transmitter. The transmitter, attached to the outside of the home, sends a radio signal to the inside of the home where the receiver is located. | There are no wires connected to the doorbell button (by the door). | Not Compatible |
| Intercom | An intercom system may be a part of your existing doorbell. An intercom allows two-way communication with someone at the door or on the other side of the intercom. | An intercom system may be wired or wireless, but both will allow you to speak with visitors at your door. | Not Compatible |
Do I need an angled bracket?
Your doorbell comes with an angled bracket in case you need to adjust your camera’s field of view to the left or the right.
This angular mount tilts your camera 15 degrees left or right to give you a better view if your doorbell isn’t in an ideal location, something is blocking its view or if you need to turn the video doorbell away from nearby surfaces that could reflect additional light into the lens.
Install your chime kit
Don't sweat it! At any point you can switch to a pro install. If you're a Pro Monitored customer, you can contact us to schedule an appointment. If you subscribe to Self Protection, you can reach out to HelloTech.
- Turn off the power to your doorbell. Installing your doorbell while the power is on may result in serious injury and/or damage to your doorbell. Determine which breaker controls your existing doorbell and chime and switch off the power. If you are unsure what circuit the doorbell breaker is on, turn off the main breaker for your home. See above for more information on how to do this.
- Try ringing it to make sure the power is off.
- Remove your chime box’s cover. You may need a screwdriver to do this.
- Determine how many wires are connected to your chime box.
- Note: If you have a digital chime with batteries only, please contact us for further assistance.
- If you have a digital chime with batteries and wiring, remove the batteries and proceed to the next step.
- For setups with two wires (most common):
- First, loosen one of the terminal screws and connect your chime kit. Loosen any terminal screw, but don’t take it all the way out. Hook any wire from your chime kit around the terminal screw on top of the existing wire. It doesn’t matter which wire you use. Once it’s connected, tighten the terminal screw.
- Next, loosen the other terminal screw and connect your chime kit. Loosen the other terminal screw, but don’t take it all the way out. Hook any wire from your chime kit around the terminal screw on top of the existing wire. Once it’s connected, tighten the terminal screw.
- For setups with three wires, check that the wires are labeled Front, Trans and Rear. For setups with three wires that are labeled in any other way, please contact us for further assistance.
- First, loosen the Front terminal screws and connect your chime kit. Loosen any terminal screw, but do not take it all the way out. Hook any wire from your chime kit around the terminal screw on top of the existing wire. Once it’s connected, tighten the Front terminal screw.
- Next, loosen the Trans terminal screw and connect your chime kit. Loosen the Trans terminal screw, but do not take it all the way out. Hook any wire from your chime kit around the terminal screw on top of the existing wire. Once it’s connected, tighten the terminal screw.
- Place your chime kit inside the chime box. You can use the tape on the back of your chime kit to attach the chime kit to the chime box, or you can tuck the kit inside the chime box if there’s space. Just make sure the chime kit isn’t touching the bells. If there’s no room, attach it to the wall near the chime box.
- Replace the chime box cover. You may need a screwdriver to do this.
Install your video doorbell
Note: Your chime kit must be installed prior to the video doorbell. Refer to the above steps if you have not yet installed the chime kit that was included in your Getting Started Guide.
- Remove your old doorbell and disconnect its wires. Unscrew the doorbell from the wall and disconnect any attached wires. Just be careful the wires don’t fall into the wall. You may want to use tape to keep them secure.
- Remove the metal trim plate from your Xfinity Video Doorbell.
- Determine if you should install the standard wall bracket or if you would benefit from the angled bracket, and install the bracket that provides the better field of view. Refer to the Do I Need an Angled Bracket? section for more information.
- Position the wall bracket or angled bracket and mark the screw placement. If you're using the angled bracket, make sure it's tilted in the direction you want. Make sure the arrows printed inside the bracket are pointing upwards and that the doorbell wires can feed through the hole in the center of the bracket.
- Determine the type of wall you will be installing the doorbell on.
- For wood or vinyl, thread the doorbell wires through the hole in the center of the wall bracket. Then use a screwdriver to twist the screws through the holes in the bracket and into the wall. Make sure your screws aren’t too tight, or you might crack the hardware.
- For plaster, stone, brick or stucco:
- Drill pilot holes for the wall bracket. Use a power drill and the quarter-inch masonry drill bit included with your Getting Started kit. Make sure the doorbell wires can fit through the hole in the center of the bracket, but don’t screw anything in just yet.
- Install the wall anchors. Use a hammer or mallet to gently tap the included wall anchors into your pilot holes. When you’re finished, the wall anchors should be flush with the wall.
- Screw your wall bracket into the wall with a screwdriver. Thread the doorbell wires through the hole in the center of the wall bracket. Then use a screwdriver to twist the screws through the holes in the bracket and into the wall. Make sure your screws aren’t too tight, or you might crack the hardware.
- Connect the doorbell wires to your new video doorbell. Using a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver, loosen the terminal screws on the back of your new doorbell and slide the doorbell wires behind the screws. Any wire can connect to any terminal. Once the wires are connected, tighten the terminal screws.
- Attach your doorbell to the wall bracket. Tuck the doorbell wires back into the wall. Starting from the bottom, snap the doorbell to the wall bracket.
- Tighten the screw at the top of the wall bracket. Use a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver to tighten the screw at the top of the wall bracket. Make sure there aren't any gaps between the doorbell and the wall bracket, but be careful not to overtighten or you may crack the doorbell.
- Add the metal trim plate. Starting from the bottom, snap the trim plate onto the doorbell.
- Turn the power back on to your doorbell. Go back to your home’s circuit breaker and restore power to your doorbell.
Activate your video doorbell using the Xfinity app
Note: Your chime kit and video doorbell must be installed prior to activating the doorbell. Refer to the above steps if you have not yet installed the chime kit or video doorbell that was included in your Getting Started Guide.
- Determine if your doorbell is ready to pair by confirming the doorbell’s light has turned white and has started blinking.
- Note: If your doorbell’s light is any other color, see common troubleshooting steps.
- If your doorbell’s light is blinking alternate amber/red: The video doorbell doesn’t have enough voltage. Please contact us for help.
- If your video doorbell’s light is off: Make sure your doorbell has power, check your circuit breaker and try again. Make sure your doorbell is wired correctly and try again.
- Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and hold your phone near the doorbell. Make sure the two devices are within a few feet of each other. This could take a few minutes as your doorbell sets up and connects to WiFi.
- Once your doorbell is connected, you'll be prompted to name your doorbell. You may want to name it based on the door on which you’ve installed it, such as, "Front door."
- If you subscribe to 24/7 Video Recording, you'll be prompted to turn this feature on for your new video doorbell.
- You can also choose to turn on camera sound and motion notifications.
- You're all set!