ADT home security systems are wired with landline phones and/or cellular connections to the central monitoring stations at ADT. It is similar to having an extra telephone line for communicating if your telephone line connection is disrupted. If your ADT system displays an error that says ‘Cellular Failure’, it implies that the system has lost its cellular signal and it cannot use the cellular path to communicate any longer.

Why Cellular Connections Are Incorporated into the ADT System as the Back-Up?

For many years, the most common means of establishing communication between home security systems and monitoring centers has been through wired landline phone connections. However, what is specific to the landlines is that they can be severed by intruders or stop functioning during power loss. Cellular offers a backup that expands the wireless capabilities of your system and provides a redundant means of connection.

If your dedicated line is somehow out, your ADT alarm system is capable of using cellular to establish communication with the monitoring center. There is a risk that existing alarms are terminated, which is why this approach helps to avoid such a scenario and make sure that all actual alarms are still processed. The cellular connectivity comes as an added advantage, as it switches on instantly in case of a landline breakdown.

What are Some of the Factors That Can Lead to Cellular Failure Errors in the ADT System?

There are a few potential causes for your ADT alarm losing its cellular connection:

  • Weak cellular signal: Your ADT alarm, like your Smartphone, requires adequate cellular coverage to connect to the network. If you live in a basement or any other place with low signal strength where your alarm panel is installed, then it often loses connection and shows cellular failure.
  • Changing cellular networks: Another example is, as the cellular networks upgrade from 3G to 4G and 5G, the older ADT alarm systems which are compatible only with 3G may become disconnected. To achieve this, your system must be able to hook up to the cellular frequencies that are still functional within your region.
  • Faulty cellular radio: This can be due to a malfunctioning of the internal cellular radio through which your ADT panel communicates with the cellular network. If the alarm that you used in the past was effective but for some reason, it cannot connect anymore, then there is a possibility that the radio may be faulty and needs to be fixed or purchased anew.
  • Cellular network outages: This means that there could be occasional service interruptions that result in a poor or no network for the customer in the affected region. Thus, your ADT system can incorporate connections while enormous network blackouts are ailing your location.

Do I Need To Re-Program My Alarm System If Cellular Is No Longer An Option?

In most cases, yes. ADT systems are equipped with default features that automatically reconnect to the landline in case of cellular signal loss. If your phone line is still active, then the triggered alarms should still be being relayed to ADT’s monitoring centers. It will just diminish the part of the system that has a wireless backup while the cellular communication will be lost.

Nevertheless, if both your phone line and cellular happen to go down, your system will be severed from the monitoring station. Any alarms raised will also not be relayed. Ensure that you attend to any issues of cellular failure so that you may be assured of full backup support.

How to troubleshoot the cellular issues on the ADT system?

Here are some steps to resolve a cellular failure error on your ADT security system: 

Check cellular signal strength: To check the signal strength of your ADT Pulse, access the portal or the mobile application to see the numbers coming from the panel’s location. These constant reads below 50 percent signify poor signal that may lead to intermittent cellular blinks.

Ensure the external antenna is correctly installed: At some locations of the installation of ADT, there arises the need to fix an external cellular antenna on the roof to enhance the signal. If they have installed any antenna with your system, make sure to confirm that it is there and correctly connected.

Contact ADT support: If you receive constant cellular fail messages in an area that gives a relatively good signal, then turn to ADT support. This means that a technician can come and assess the problem and decide if the hardware part of your system requires replacement or additional fixing to solve the problem.

Consider relocating the control panel: If no faults are detected but you have sumptuous indoor cell signal quality in your place, you could try moving your ADT alarm panel closer to the exterior wall. It is wise to consult an ADT technician to find out if relocating the control panel may be useful in your case.

Upgrade cellular radio: If your ADT system is compatible with only the older 3G cellular networks, you might have to go for upgrading the internal radio due to end-of-life triggers by carriers regarding 3G. An ADT technician can confirm that the hardware needs to be altered and then do the work.

Allow technicians adequate time: In its attempt to rectify cellular failure errors, an ADT technician’s visit would be necessary. Be sure to book appointments in such a way that you afford yourself enough time to diagnose the patient or conduct necessary tests. The fast charging of cellular troubleshooting procedures may lead to aggravation of the issue to be diagnosed.

The cellular connectivity that is integrated with the alarm systems helps provide important support in case of the loss of a telephone line. Ensure the errors in celling are corrected immediately to ensure the alarms are still capable of sending the signals wirelessly where necessary. For assistance regarding issues about permanent cellular failure that affects your home’s security and automation, contact the ADT technical support team.

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