What to Do When Your Apartment Intercom is Not Working
First – sad to hear that your apartment intercom is not working. Below you will find a few steps you can try and resolve the issue.
Flowchart
- Consult the user manual
└───> Found a solution? ────> YES: Apply the solution
└───> NO: Proceed to step 2 - Check the power supply
└───> Power issue resolved? ──> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 3 - Check the wiring
└───> Wiring issue resolved? ─> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 4 - Check the settings
└───> Settings issue resolved? ─> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 5 - Inspect the buttons and controls
└───> Controls issue resolved? ─> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 6 - Test the door release mechanism
└───> Mechanism issue resolved? ─> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 7 - Contact the management
└───> Management resolves the issue? ──> YES: Test the intercom
└───> NO: Proceed to step 8 - Consider upgrading
Troubleshooting Intercom Systems
While there are various brands on the market, such as Comelit, Aiphone, Nutone, and Urmet, the process of troubleshooting these systems is generally the same across all brands.
Consult the user manual
The best place to start with. 🙂 If you’re still experiencing issues, consult the user manual for your specific intercom system. These manuals often include brand-specific troubleshooting tips and solutions. If you lost your intercom user manual or can’t find the answer there – let’s go further.
Check the power supply
- Make sure that the intercom system is receiving power.
- If it’s a wired system, check the fuse box or circuit breaker to ensure the emphasis is on it.
- If it’s a wireless system, check the batteries or charging port.
Check the wiring
If you have a wired system, check the wiring connections to ensure they are secure and not damaged. Loose or damaged wiring can cause the intercom to stop working.
Check the settings
Check the intercom system settings to ensure they are configured correctly. Ensure the volume is turned up and the system is set to the correct channel.
Inspect the buttons and controls
Ensure that all buttons and controls are functioning properly. If any are unresponsive or sticking, try cleaning them with a soft cloth and mild cleaning solution. If the issue persists, consider replacing the affected parts.
Test the door release mechanism
If your intercom system includes a door release function, test it to ensure it’s working correctly. If the door isn’t unlocking or locking as intended, inspect the wiring, connections, and the release mechanism itself. In some cases, the issue may be with the door’s lock or latch rather than the intercom system.
Contact the management
If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, contact the building management or landlord. They may need to contact a professional to repair or replace the intercom system.
Consider upgrading
If the intercom system is outdated or not functioning correctly, consider upgrading to a newer system. A new intercom system can provide enhanced security features and better functionality. Here is the guide on how to do it quickly.
Hopefully, checking the power supply, wiring, and settings will help you fix the problem. If these steps don’t work, contact the building management or consider upgrading to a newer system.