Colorado winters are beautiful but brutal. Temperature swings of 40+ degrees in a single day, heavy snow, ice, and intense UV at altitude can all take a toll on your home technology.

Here's how to prepare your outdoor and weather-sensitive tech for the cold months ahead — and troubleshoot common winter issues.

Outdoor Cameras and Doorbells

The Challenge

Security cameras and video doorbells face:

  • Extreme cold — Batteries drain faster, LCD screens can struggle
  • Snow and ice — Can block the lens or trigger false motion alerts
  • Condensation — Temperature swings cause moisture buildup
  • Reduced daylight — More reliance on night vision

Preparation Tips

Battery-powered devices:

  • Charge batteries to 100% before cold weather
  • Expect reduced battery life (sometimes 50% or less in freezing temps)
  • Consider temporary wired power for the winter
  • Check batteries monthly instead of relying on app estimates

All outdoor cameras:

  • Clean lenses now (they'll be harder to access in snow)
  • Check mounting — ensure it's secure before heavy snow/ice
  • Adjust motion sensitivity — snow can trigger false alerts
  • Consider positioning — is the camera protected from direct snow/wind?
  • Verify night vision is working (longer nights mean more reliance on it)

After snowstorms:

  • Clear snow/ice from lenses and sensors
  • Check that solar panels (if any) are clear
  • Verify camera is still connected

Common Winter Issues

Blank or frozen image: Camera may have entered a low-power mode due to cold. Usually recovers when temperature rises.

Constant motion alerts: Snow falling or blowing can trigger motion detection. Adjust sensitivity or motion zones.

Won't charge: Solar panels don't work well in winter (shorter days, snow coverage, lower sun angle). Plan for manual charging.

Starlink

The Challenge

Starlink dishes are designed for outdoor use and have built-in heating for snow melt, but Colorado conditions can still cause issues:

  • Heavy wet snow — Can accumulate faster than the dish can melt it
  • Ice storms — Ice may not melt as quickly as snow
  • Extreme cold — System works harder to stay heated
  • Power outages — Common during winter storms

Preparation Tips

Ensure proper mounting:

  • The dish should have a slight tilt for water/snow runoff
  • Mount should be sturdy enough for snow/ice weight plus wind load
  • Verify it hasn't shifted since installation

Check for obstructions:

  • Trees without leaves may have been fine in summer
  • With snow on branches, they may now obstruct the signal
  • Run the Starlink app's obstruction check

Power considerations:

  • Starlink dishes consume more power in cold weather (heating element)
  • Consider a UPS if you have frequent brief outages
  • A generator can keep Starlink running during extended outages

Common Winter Issues

"Obstructed" warnings during snow: Snow accumulation on the dish. Usually melts on its own, but very heavy/wet snow may need manual clearing. Don't use sharp tools.

Reduced speeds during storms: Normal. Satellite signal has to travel through precipitation.

Higher power bills: The dish's heating element uses significant power in cold weather.

WiFi and Routers

The Challenge

Indoor equipment generally handles cold fine, but related issues pop up:

  • Power outages — Reset routers and lose settings
  • Interference — Holiday lights and decorations can affect WiFi
  • Increased usage — Everyone's inside, streaming, gaming, working

Preparation Tips

Power protection:

  • Connect router and modem to a UPS (battery backup)
  • Brief outages won't knock out your internet
  • Protects against surge damage from power restoration

Document your setup:

  • Take photos of cable connections
  • Record your WiFi network names and passwords
  • Know where your ISP equipment is located
  • Bookmark your router's admin page

Performance prep:

  • Restart your router before busy holiday periods
  • Update firmware if available
  • Check for interference from holiday lights (LED lights are usually fine, older strands may cause issues)

Common Winter Issues

Slow WiFi during holidays: More people, more devices, more streaming. Make sure your router can handle it or consider an upgrade.

WiFi drops during storms: If your internet drops during storms but comes back, it's likely your ISP's infrastructure, not your equipment.

Equipment won't restart after outage: Unplug everything (modem, router), wait 30 seconds, plug modem in first, wait for it to fully connect, then plug in router.

Outdoor TV Setups

The Challenge

If you have an outdoor TV:

  • Freezing temperatures — Most TVs aren't rated for sub-freezing operation
  • Moisture — Snow melt and condensation can damage electronics
  • Wind — Winter winds can stress mounts

Preparation Tips

For dedicated outdoor TVs:

  • Check manufacturer's temperature ratings
  • Verify cover is secure and waterproof
  • Inspect mounting for any loosening
  • Consider bringing it inside if not rated for cold

For indoor TVs used in covered outdoor spaces:

  • Bring them inside for winter
  • At minimum, use a weatherproof cover
  • Ensure power is disconnected when not in use

Common Winter Issues

TV won't turn on in cold: Many TVs have a minimum operating temperature (often 40°F). Wait for warmer temps or bring it inside.

Condensation on screen: Don't turn on the TV when there's visible condensation. Let it dry completely first.

Smart Home Devices

The Challenge

Smart devices throughout your home may be affected by winter conditions:

  • Smart locks — Battery drain, freezing mechanisms
  • Smart thermostats — Need to be properly configured
  • Smart plugs (outdoor) — Moisture and cold exposure

Smart Lock Tips

  • Replace batteries at the start of winter (don't wait for low battery warnings)
  • Keep backup physical key accessible (not outside in the cold)
  • Lubricate the mechanism if it becomes stiff
  • Some locks have manual cold-weather settings

Smart Thermostat Tips

  • Ensure schedules account for cold weather patterns
  • Set appropriate minimum temperatures for when you're away
  • Check that remote sensors (if any) are working
  • Verify you can control remotely in case of issues while traveling

Outdoor Smart Plugs

  • Only use plugs rated for outdoor use
  • Check that covers are secure
  • Verify they're still on the correct schedules (daylight saving changes can cause confusion)

General Winter Tech Tips

Power Protection

Power outages are more common in winter. Protect your investment:

  • UPS for critical equipment — Router, modem, computer
  • Surge protectors — For everything else
  • Unplug — During severe storms, consider unplugging sensitive equipment

Humidity and Condensation

Colorado is dry, but bringing cold equipment inside creates condensation:

  • Let equipment warm up before powering on
  • Don't store electronics in unheated garages/sheds
  • Use a dehumidifier if needed

Emergency Prep

When tech fails in winter, it matters more:

  • Backup communication — Cell phone charged, car charger available
  • Backup lighting — Flashlights, lanterns that don't depend on smart home
  • Backup heat — Know what works without internet/power
  • Physical keys — Don't rely solely on smart locks

Check Before the First Storm

Run through your outdoor tech now, while it's still accessible:

  • [ ] Camera and doorbell batteries charged
  • [ ] Camera lenses clean
  • [ ] Starlink mount secure
  • [ ] Outdoor speakers/TVs covered or stored
  • [ ] WiFi equipment on surge protectors
  • [ ] Smart lock batteries fresh
  • [ ] Thermostat schedules updated

What We Can Help With

At Finally Fixed Home Services, we can help prepare your systems for winter:

  • Camera and doorbell inspection — Check mounting, positioning, and function
  • Starlink mount verification — Ensure it's secure for winter winds and snow
  • Network checkup — Verify your system can handle increased winter usage
  • Battery replacement — Fresh batteries in all your wireless devices

Contact us or call/text 720-933-3501 to schedule a winter prep appointment.

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