Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Link the accounts in the Blink app, then enable doorbell-press notifications in Alexa if you want an Echo to announce visitors. For a camera view or two-way conversation, you’ll also need a compatible Alexa device; those features don’t work on every Echo or doorbell setup.
How to connect a Blink Video Doorbell to Alexa
- Check the basics. Update the Blink and Alexa apps and make sure your Alexa device software is current. Blink lists supported Alexa account markets as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Amazon Kids mode must be disabled on Alexa devices for linking. See Blink’s account-linking instructions.
- Link the accounts in Blink. Open the Blink app and go to Settings > Account and Privacy > Alexa > Link Alexa. Accept Agree & Continue when prompted. The Account and Privacy page should then show Alexa as linked. App labels can vary by version. Blink also documents a route through Alexa Skills to the Blink Alexa Skill.
- Check Alexa’s device list. Open the Alexa app and look under Devices for the Blink doorbell. If it is missing, go to Devices > + > Add Device > Camera > Blink and follow the prompts. The doorbell needs to be powered, set up in Blink, and controllable from the Blink app. Blink’s Alexa skill troubleshooting guide covers discovery issues.
Make an Echo announce a doorbell press
Once Alexa can see the doorbell, open it from the Alexa app’s Devices list, select Settings, turn on Doorbell Press Notifications, and choose Announcement Devices. Select the Echo devices that should announce a press. Blink’s doorbell notification instructions describe this setting.
On compatible Echo devices with a screen, enabling this option can also affect Live View behavior. Do not assume that every configuration will automatically show video when someone presses the button; the behavior depends on the Alexa device and doorbell setup.
What Alexa can do with the doorbell
Announcements
Doorbell Press Notifications send an audible alert to the announcement devices you selected. If Alexa announces an old doorbell name after you renamed it in Blink or Alexa, turn Doorbell Press Notifications off and back on. Blink notes that a name change can leave Alexa using the former name in announcements.
#1 Best Overall
- Video Doorbell is our second-generation smart security doorbell with up to two years of battery life, an expanded field of view, and improved security features for more peace of mind, no matter where you are.
- Last longer with two-year battery life — Experience up to two years of continuous security coverage with three AA Energizer lithium batteries and a Blink Sync Module (both included).
- See more at your door — Greet guests and watch packages get delivered, day and night, with head-to-toe HD view and infrared night vision. Use two-way talk to hear and speak through the Blink app.
- Set up in minutes — Easily install wire-free or connect Video Doorbell to existing doorbell wiring. When wired, Video Doorbell will sound through your home. Without wiring, you can use your Blink Mini 2 camera (sold separately) as an indoor plug-in chime. You'll also get alerts on your Blink app with each doorbell press.
- Always know who's there — As part of a Blink Subscription Plan (sold separately), get alerts whenever a person is detected and enjoy features like Blink Moments, which stitches together clips into a single video to save and share.
Live View on a screen
For a camera display, use a compatible screened Alexa device, such as an Echo Show, and say, “Alexa, show [camera name].” The spoken name should match the name Alexa recognizes. Blink says Live View lasts five minutes on compatible devices; see its Alexa FAQ and Live View and two-way audio guide.
Two-way audio
With a compatible Alexa device and a working Blink integration, commands can include “Alexa, answer [Blink Video Doorbell]” or “Alexa, talk to [Blink Video Doorbell].” The device name in the command should be the name Alexa recognizes.
Rank #2
- Video Doorbell is our second-generation smart security doorbell with up to two years of battery life, an expanded field of view, and improved security features for more peace of mind, no matter where you are.
- Last longer with two-year battery life — Experience up to two years of continuous security coverage with three included AA Energizer lithium batteries and a Blink Sync Module (sold separately).
- See more at your door — Greet guests and watch packages get delivered, day and night, with head-to-toe HD view and infrared night vision. Use two-way talk to hear and speak through the Blink app.
- Set up in minutes — Easily install wire-free or connect Video Doorbell to existing doorbell wiring. When wired, Video Doorbell will sound through your home. Without wiring, you can use your Blink Mini 2 camera (sold separately) as an indoor plug-in chime. You'll also get alerts on your Blink app with each doorbell press.
- Always know who's there — As part of a Blink Subscription Plan (sold separately), get alerts whenever a person is detected and enjoy features like Blink Moments, which stitches together clips into a single video to save and share.
Understand Live View, alerts, and local recording
Automatic Live View is not supported in every doorbell configuration. Blink’s FAQ describes conditions where automatic Live View for presses or motion events is unavailable. With compatible chime wiring or a Sync Module, you may be able to start Live View by voice. In Event Response mode, Blink says voice-initiated Live View can be started within 60 seconds of a notification announcement. Check Blink’s Video Doorbell FAQ and Alexa FAQ for the behavior that applies to your setup.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThere can also be a tradeoff between automatic Live View and saving ring clips locally. Blink says a Sync Module 2 or Sync Module XR can save motion events and doorbell rings locally, but automatic Live View prevents saving doorbell-ring clips locally because Live View recording requires a subscription. Turning automatic Live View off can preserve local ring clips, but disables Echo doorbell announcements.
Rank #3
- Our second-generation Video Doorbell and fourth-generation Outdoor 4 cameras offer up to two years of battery life and improved security features for more peace of mind, no matter where you are.
- Last longer with two-year battery life — Experience up to two years of smart security coverage on both devices with included AA Energizer lithium batteries and a Blink Sync Module (included with Outdoor 4).
- See and speak from the Blink app — Experience head-to-toe HD viewing from Video Doorbell and 1080p HD live view from Outdoor 4 as well as infrared night vision and crisp two-way audio.
- See more at your door with Blink Video Doorbell — Greet guests and watch packages get delivered, day and night, with head-to-toe HD view and infrared night vision. Use two-way talk to hear and speak through the Blink app.
- Enhanced motion detection with Outdoor 4 — With Outdoor 4, enjoy a wider field of view and be alerted to motion faster with dual-zone, enhanced motion detection.
If Alexa does not find the Blink doorbell
- Confirm the Blink doorbell appears and works in the Blink app, and update both apps and the Alexa device software.
- Try linking the accounts again from Blink app > Settings > Account and Privacy > Alexa > Link Alexa.
- If manual discovery still does not find it, disable the Blink SmartHome skill, remove the Blink devices from Alexa, then re-enable the skill through Blink’s Alexa settings and Alexa’s skill flow. Follow Blink’s troubleshooting steps.
- Use a device name Alexa can recognize, and use that name in Live View commands. If the spoken name or announcement remains stale after a rename, reset Doorbell Press Notifications as described above.
Check your doorbell generation before troubleshooting hardware
Blink’s setup guide states that the Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) requires a Sync Module to function. This requirement is specific to the second-generation model; check the generation before treating a Sync Module as necessary. See the Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) setup guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Video Doorbell is our second-generation smart security doorbell with up to two years of battery life, an expanded field of view, and improved security features for more peace of mind, no matter where you are.
- Last longer with two-year battery life — Experience up to two years of continuous security coverage with three AA Energizer lithium batteries and a Blink Sync Module (both included).
- See more at your door — Greet guests and watch packages get delivered, day and night, with head-to-toe HD view and infrared night vision. Use two-way talk to hear and speak through the Blink app.
- Set up in minutes — Easily install wire-free or connect Video Doorbell to existing doorbell wiring. When wired, Video Doorbell will sound through your home. Without wiring, you can use your Blink Mini 2 camera (sold separately) as an indoor plug-in chime. You'll also get alerts on your Blink app with each doorbell press.
- Always know who's there — As part of a Blink Subscription Plan (sold separately), get alerts whenever a person is detected and enjoy features like Blink Moments, which stitches together clips into a single video to save and share.
Rank #4
- Video Doorbell is our second-generation smart security doorbell with up to two years of battery life, an expanded field of view, and improved security features for more peace of mind, no matter where you are.
- Last longer with two-year battery life — Experience up to two years of smart security coverage on both devices with included AA Energizer lithium batteries and a Blink Sync Module (included with Outdoor 4).
- See and speak from the Blink app — Experience head-to-toe HD viewing from Video Doorbell and 1080p HD live view from Outdoor 4 as well as infrared night vision and crisp two-way audio.
- See more at your door with Blink Video Doorbell — Greet guests and watch packages get delivered, day and night, with head-to-toe HD view and infrared night vision. Use two-way talk to hear and speak through the Blink app.
- Enhanced motion detection with Outdoor 4 — With our all-new Outdoor 4, enjoy a wider field of view and be alerted to motion faster with dual-zone, enhanced motion detection.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
