Removing a Vivint outdoor security camera can be a tricky process, but this guide will walk you through all the necessary steps. Vivint outdoor cameras are designed to be tamper-resistant, so getting them down without damaging them takes some care and precision. We’ll cover how to remove both the camera and the mount safely.

Overview of Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros

Before getting into the removal process, let’s briefly go over what makes Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros special:

High-definition video – Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros record crisp 1080p HD video with a 140° field of view. This allows you to see faces, license plates, and other important details clearly.
Night vision – Infrared LEDs enable night vision up to 25 feet away, ensuring you can see activity even in total darkness.
Two-way audio – The camera has a built-in microphone and speaker so you can hear and communicate with visitors.
Wireless connectivity – Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros connect to your home’s WiFi so you can view the feed anywhere. No unsightly wires needed.
Weather resistance – With an IP66 weather resistance rating, the camera can withstand rain, snow, heat, and dust. Ideal for outdoor use.
Smart detection – Using AI, the camera can distinguish people, vehicles, and animals. You get alerts for what matters most.
Encrypted video – Footage is secured with AES 128-bit encryption on the way to the cloud and while stored.

Now that you understand the camera’s capabilities, let’s get into how to detach it safely.

Preparing to Remove the Vivint Outdoor Camera

Before removing the camera, take a few preparatory steps:

Notify your security provider

Alert your Vivint security provider that you’ll be removing the outdoor camera. This prevents false alarms.
They will walk you through properly disconnecting the camera from their monitoring systems.

Gather supplies

You’ll need the following tools and supplies:

Ladder to safely reach the camera
Phillips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Electrical tape
Wire cutters
Stud finder (to locate wall studs if mounted on wall)
Drill with assorted drill bits
Pencil
Protective eyewear

Charge the camera battery

If possible, leave the camera plugged in and charging right up until removal. A fully charged battery lets you power it on temporarily during removal to ensure it wasn’t damaged in the process.

Pick a time when weather is dry

Schedule the removal for a dry, sunny day. This keeps both you and the equipment safer.
Avoid attempting removal in rain, snow, or high winds.

Once you’ve completed these preparatory steps, you’re ready to detach the camera.

Removing the Vivint Camera Mount

First, we’ll focus on safely getting the camera mount detached from the home.

Step ladder safely

Position your ladder on steady, level ground rather than trying to balance it on soil or grass.
Have a helper stabilize the ladder at the base if needed.
Climb carefully, keeping your weight centered between the side rails. Don’t lean too far to the side while working.

Locate mounting plate

At the point where the mount joins the wall or eave, you’ll see a flat, square mounting plate. This is screwed into the building and provides the anchor point.
If mounted on the wall, use a stud finder to locate the positions of any hidden wall studs. You’ll need to insert screws back into the same studs later.

Remove cover plate screws

The camera mount has a decorative cover plate that needs removed first. This protects the mounting screws underneath.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove any screws holding this plate in place. Set them aside in a safe spot.
Carefully pry off the cover plate without damaging it. The mounting screws are now accessible.

Loosen mounting screws

Using a Phillips screwdriver, back out the long mounting screws that go into the wall or eave and secure the plate. Don’t fully remove them yet.
Turn each one 3-4 rotations counter-clockwise to loosen it. But leave it threaded in part way to support the weight of the mount.

Detach wiring

Trace any Ethernet cable or accessory wires back to where they enter the building.
Carefully remove them from any hooks or clips that hold them in place along the route.
At the entry point, disconnect them from any weatherproofing materials around the hole.
Have your helper feed the wiring out of the building while you manage the slack from the ladder.
At the camera end, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the RJ45 port on the mount or camera body.
Unplug any power wires or accessory cables as well.
Use electrical tape to wrap the disconnected wire ends to keep moisture out.

Finish removing screws

Once wiring is fully detached, finish unscrewing the mounting plate while carefully supporting it.
As the last screw comes out, hold it firmly so it doesn’t fall.
If needed, have your helper take the plate from below while you work.

Detach mount from plate

With wiring disconnected and screws out, the mount can now separate from the mounting plate still attached to the wall/eave.
Carefully twist and tilt the mount to unhook it from the plate. Don’t let it drop!
Pass the freed mount down to your helper or bring it safely down the ladder yourself.

The trickiest part is complete – the mount is no longer attached to the building. Now we can focus on the camera itself.

Removing the Vivint Camera from the Mount

With the mount safely on the ground, detaching the camera itself is much simpler.

Lay the mount flat

Place the mount on a flat, stable surface like a sidewalk or driveway.
Position it so the camera is facing upwards and you have good access to the underside.

Locate the security screw

On the underside of the mount arm, you’ll see a screw with an embossed Vivint security logo. This helps deter tampering.
The camera ball joint connects to the mount arm here.

Remove security screw

Using the appropriate screwdriver, carefully back out the security screw a few turns.
Don’t fully remove it yet – you want it to help support the camera for now.

Disconnect other wiring

If your camera has any external wiring, like a Heated Lens Cable, disconnect it now.
Unplug the connector near where it joins the mount or camera body.
Tape up the connector end to avoid moisture damage.

Twist camera free

With wiring clear and the security screw loosened, you can now detach the camera ball joint from the mount arm.
Carefully twist the camera body to unseat the ball joint while continuing to support its weight.
Once unseated, tilt the camera up to fully separate it.
Remove the loosened security screw once the camera is free.

Confirm camera function

If possible, take the removed camera inside and connect it to power temporarily.
Power it on and check that video and audio are functioning correctly.
This ensures the removal process didn’t damage its electronics or connections.
If the camera is malfunctioning, contact Vivint support for troubleshooting help.

And with that, you’ve successfully detached the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro without harming it!

Closing Up the Installation Site

With the camera equipment removed, a few final steps will restore the installation site:

Seal up exterior holes

Take some time to properly seal up any holes made to route wiring to the camera.
Using the appropriate sealant and weatherproofing materials, close any gaps to prevent moisture and pests from entering.

Patch and touch up mounting holes

Examine the mounting plate remaining on the wall or eave. Remove any loose caulking or sealant.
For holes in siding, use exterior spackling paste to fill them in. Smooth flush.
For interior walls, fill with drywall joint compound. Sand smooth when dry.
Color-match exterior paints and touch up the filled holes to match the surrounding surface.

Restore wall mount sites

Where screws penetrated wall studs, fill the holes with spackling paste. Let dry and sand smooth.
Repaint the filled screw holes with matching interior wall paint so they blend in.
If needed, fill anchor holes with appropriate filler material like plaster or cement.

Weatherproof open wiring

Coil up any loose exterior wiring and secure it to prevent damage.
Cover any open wire connections with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.
Tuck connections into a covered outdoor junction box if available.

With the exterior restored, your home is left clean and sealed up after the camera removal process.

What to Do With the Removed Equipment

Now that you’ve detached the Vivint camera mount and camera successfully, a decision needs to be made regarding the removed equipment:

Reinstall it elsewhere

If you’re moving the camera to a new home or different location on the property, keep all the hardware together.
Refer to the original Vivint installation guide to reuse the equipment at the new site.

Return it to Vivint

If you’re upgrading to a new Vivint camera or no longer need this unit, contact support to initiate a return.
They will provide details on how to send back the camera and mount.

Recycle it responsibly

If the camera will not be reused or returned, dispose of it properly as electronic waste.
Contact your local recycling center for guidelines to prevent environmental contamination from batteries or other chemicals inside.

Securely destroy sensitive components

If privacy is a concern, you may want to remove any memory cards or data storage from the camera and mount.
These can be wiped, purged of data, or destroyed to prevent your recorded footage from being stolen or accessed.

Properly handling the now-unneeded Vivint equipment keeps both your home and the environment safe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Vivint Cameras

Removing an outdoor security camera is often new territory for homeowners, leading to questions about the right techniques. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Is it possible to remove a Vivint camera myself?

Yes, with the proper tools and preparation, most homeowners can handle detaching a Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro safely following the techniques in this guide. Having a helper makes the process much easier for safety and handling wires. But doing it solo is certainly feasible if you take care and use caution on the ladder.

Will removing the camera impact my home’s security?

Temporarily, yes – since you are detaching one of the active security sensors monitoring your home. To avoid false alarms, be sure to notify Vivint before removal so they can take your camera offline. Most homeowners replace the removed camera right away or reinstall it in a new location to minimize security gaps.

What’s the easiest way to remove the mount?

The safest approach is to methodically unscrew the mounting plate from the wall or eave, keeping the mount attached until wiring is disconnected. Trying to detach the mount from the camera first is more difficult since you have to support its weight simultaneously.

Can I reuse the old Vivint mount for my new camera?

In most cases, yes. As long as the new camera is compatible with your existing Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro mount, it can be reinstalled in the same location. Vivint tech support can confirm compatibility before ordering your new camera. Reusing the mount avoids extra installation work.

How do I ensure I don’t damage the camera electronics?

Always power down the camera before removal, disconnect batteries when possible, avoid dropping or jarring the components during removal, and wrap/protect any loose cable connections. Test the camera after removal to confirm it still works normally. Contact Vivint immediately for troubleshooting if an issue is detected.

What if I can’t get the security screw loose?

Vivint uses a security screw and stamped logo to protect the camera ball joint. If the screw seems firmly stuck, carefully use a power drill at low torque with the appropriate bit to back it out while avoiding damage. Apply penetrating oil and let it soak in first if rust or corrosion is present.

Can I upgrade my old Vivint camera to a new model?

Yes! Vivint makes it easy to upgrade Outdoor Camera Pros to new models with enhanced features and technology. Their support team can advise you on compatible new cameras for your existing setup and take care of the equipment swap. Take advantage of the latest innovations to keep your outdoor spaces secure.

How do I fill in large holes or removed anchors?

For large holes where you detached masonry anchors or lag bolts from walls, carefully pack the cavity with cement filler, mortar mix, or expanding foam to create a solid backing. Let fully cure before patching the cosmetic opening. Take care waterproofing the exterior fill material so moisture doesn’t penetrate behind.

Removing your Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro takes planning, care, and patience. But following this comprehensive guide, you can detach and replace your camera with confidence. And you’ll avoid damaging the equipment or home in the process. Do you have any other questions about safely removing Vivint outdoor cameras? Let us know in the comments!

Conclusion

Taking down an outdoor security camera is often an intimidating process for homeowners. Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros are designed to stay firmly anchored in place deter tampering when installed properly. However, with the right preparation and tools, you can remove a Vivint camera safely following the techniques in this guide.

The key steps are taking preparatory steps like notifying your provider, charging the battery, choosing a dry weather day, and gathering the necessary tools. Carefully detach wiring before loosening the mounting screws. Then twist the camera free from its ball joint, again being cautious of any connected cables. Seal up any exterior holes, patch walls, and restore your home’s surfaces afterwards.

Removing your Vivint equipment properly lets you upgrade to a new model, reinstall it elsewhere, or return the camera per the provider’s guidelines if it will no longer be used. And you’ll have the peace of mind of handling this delicate process without any damage. With smart planning and care, you can successfully take down your Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro on your own.

How to Remove a Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro