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Entry Sensor Not Responding

Updated 

2 months ago

Sensors in the SimpliSafe® system will issue a “Not Responding” error when they fail to check in with the Base Station for more than 24 hours. We typically see this happen for one of two reasons:

  1. The battery within your Entry Sensor needs to be replaced

  2. The Entry Sensor is too far away from the Base Station and is unable to communicate from its current location effectively

If the Entry Sensor was previously working and the issue suddenly occurred, it likely is the result of a dead or dying battery. We recommend starting with this step first, before troubleshooting your Base Station placement. If you change the battery or adjust the placement of your Base Station and still see this error, it's likely the result of the error being cached within the SimpliSafe® App. Removing your Entry Sensor from your system and adding it back should clear the error. See the Additional Troubleshooting section of this article for those steps.

The Entry Sensor takes a single CR-2032 Lithium 3V battery and has a life expectancy of up to 5 years depending on placement and usage.

To change the battery in your Entry Sensor:

  1. Slide the sensor off of the bracket by pushing it toward the door or window frame, then up toward the setup button

  2. Using a pen, press the groove of the battery tab in and up to remove the battery from the sensor

  3. Wait at least 15 seconds, then insert the new battery

  4. Slide the Entry Sensor back onto its bracket

  5. Press the setup button on the sensor and look for 3 blinking lights to confirm the new battery is working

The easiest way to determine if your Entry Sensor is too far away from your Base Station is to place your system into Test Mode and test the Entry Sensor. 

To place your system into Test Mode:

  1. Disarm your system by pressing OFF on the Keypad

  2. Press the Menu button on your Keypad

  3. Enter your Primary PIN

  4. Scroll until Test Mode is highlighted

  5. Use the right arrow and tap to the right to enter Test Mode

You’ll know you are in Test Mode when you see a circle on the Keypad appear with the text, “Test each device by pressing its button”.

Note: If you subscribe to monitoring, you will receive a robo call from the monitoring center asking you to confirm you placed your system into Test Mode. If you do not answer – no worries! A voicemail will be left to alert you to the system test, and it will not result in a request for dispatch.

Testing your Entry Sensor:

Now that your system has entered Test Mode, it’s time to test the Entry Sensor in question. To test your sensor, press the button on the top of the larger piece. You can also test your Entry Sensor by opening or closing the door or window it protects. If successful, you should hear the Base Station announce “Entry Sensor”. 

If you did not hear the Base Station acknowledge the test (but you were in earshot range and would have if it had done so), detach the sensor from its mounting bracket and bring it into the room where your Base Station is located. Then, repeat the test by pressing the button on top of the sensor. This time, if you hear the test acknowledged, you’ll know that the sensor is too far from the Base Station for it to be able to communicate reliably.

If the sensor works in a position closer to the Base Station, it is recommended that you move the Base Station closer to provide better coverage within your home. The Base Station works best in a centrally located area within your home or business, and in a spot that’s free and clear from wireless interference. Placing your Base Station in a cabinet, closet, or around dense materials (such as granite, concrete, or metal) can weaken its signal to other SimpliSafe® devices. Installing your Base Station next to devices that output a wireless signal, such as a router or TV, is also not recommended. This can cause wireless interference and decrease the overall signal strength of the Base Station. 

If you replace the battery within your Entry Sensor or adjust the placement of your Base Station, it can take some time for the error to clear within the SimpliSafe® Mobile App.

If you want to clear the error out faster, we recommend removing your sensor from your system, then adding it back.

To remove your Entry Sensor:

  1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

  2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar

  3. Select Device Settings

  4. Tap on the sensor you wish to remove

  5. Choose ‘Remove Device’

Once you have removed your sensor, you can add it back using our Installation Guide.

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