Reproduceable bug with Reolink Video Doorbell firmware and Alexa skill

[OurReolink_821905382830237]

Have tracked down a reproduceable issue with the Reolink Video Doorbell firmware when linked to Alexa.

If a Reolink Video Doorbell is enabled through Reolink Cloud, linked into Alexa, and then viewed via Alexa, the doorbell will not ring locally or sound the chime for multiple minutes. After the usual 15 second or so delay then doorbell push notifications to the Reolink app will come through, but the actual local doorbell sound as well as the remote chime will not sound until multiple minutes have passed.

This occurs whether the camera is manually viewed via Alexa (ex: "Alexa, show me the Front Door Camera") or whether it is viewed automatically as a result of doorbell press notification. In the latter case, if doorbell press notifications are enabled then the camera is automatically viewed, which means the doorbell will sound no more frequently than once every several minutes.

To reproduce this, simply cloud enable the camera, tie it into Alexa, view the camera with Alexa, and then try pressing the doorbell. After 20 seconds or so try pressing it again and see if the chime sounds.

The issue does not occur with viewing the RTSP stream (I have an NVR recording 24x7), viewing via the web interface, or viewing via the Reolink iOS app. The issue occurs only when the camera is viewed via the Reolink Alexa skill. However, because this affects the local ringing sound at the doorbell itself as well as the remote chime, I would classify this as an issue with the Video Doorbell firmware, not an issue with the Reolink Alexa skill.

I've duplicated this on two different Video Doorbells, one powered via the doorbell transformer and the other powered by the included Reolink AC adapter.

I am on hardware version DB_566128M5MP_W and running firmware v3.0.0.3215_2401262240.

Support is currently escalating this to a higher tier to look into.

Anyone else having the same problem w/ Alexa and doorbell ringing?

Mike

[joseph_1979]

@ourreolink_821905382830237 Mike, I don't have this setup and so I cannot help. However, I suggest you to put this issue on reddit reolink https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/ and definitely you will find members having your setup and can help.

[OurReolink_821905382830237]

@joseph_1979 - Thank you. I'll check out the Reddit. In the meantime, to minimize impact of the bug I've just turned off the Alexa doorbell notification and automatic live view. I still hear the doorbell chime and get notifications via the Reolink app. If I want to view the camera on my Echo Show I can ask Alexa to do that and then will incur the previously described issues with the doorbell ringing, but at least this way it only happens when I ask for the camera (vs every time the doorbell is rung it can't ring again for a few minutes).

[yasandyahreolink_733006635659460]

Hi,

I have the same issue. I just recently upgraded my doorbell to reolink Poe as i have reolink cctv set up (which i think is brilliant) I also have alexa devices which is generally a no brainer to link them up for notifications or live views. The current firmware issue is that the alexa client takes 'hostage' the reolink doorbell. The mic stays active for 5mins. In this 5 mins duration, the chime and ring on the doorbell will not work. The quick responses and mic on any reolink software will also not work. A bit of a crappy firmware flaw!
This issues seems to me more on the screen alexa devises such as the hub or show. Alexa notifications devices only only such as the dot do not tend to crash the system - so this is also useful to bear in mind.

Also worth noting that i have a reolink NVR which i have my cameras set up to this. My doorbell is connected via my switch to be independent and to unlock the additional features such as ringing (also not the best yet but this is a different topic)

A current get around until there is a firmware update is to disable notification on alexa devices, but instead set up a routine for notification. in this manner, the alexa devices do not actually open the reolink and go into this 5min crash period. However, in this manner, you will not see the live video, only receive a notification. Notification can be long and have tunes and voice etc - however you want the notification to be which is quite handy.

For me, this is not a bad set up as i have my doorbell set up to an NVR and have a screen which i can view this in my living room. I usually have my phone on me too. The only issue is this is that i have my alexa hubs on the wall in the corridor which is acting like a doorbell screen viewer which i cannot view if i was elsewhere in my house and did not have my phone on me. i would have to manually press the doorbell button to view the live feed - but if i do this, my system will be in a crash state for 5mins. my previous doobell was a hardwired tmezon doorbell with view screens on all floors, so ideally i would love for reolink to be able to act like this which is generally like a normal doorbell system.

I spoke with reolink support and this 5mins is default and cannot be changed in anyway at the moment.

Reolink need to improve this 5 mins 'hostage' situation. The new firmware needs to allow alexa to show reolink on its devices without taking over by default. Only when a button is pressed on an alexa device should the alexa device take over. Also, once finished and reolink is exited from the alexa device, reolink should stop running on the alexa device automatically and not continue running by default. This should help resolve all the main issues everyone has been discussing and would actually allow reolink doorbell to act as a proper doorbell with viewing screens.

Hope this helps all.

Y