How to Reset Simplisafe Sensors

SimpliSafe provides security devices and systems that are quite popular, especially on residential units and small businesses. These systems provide security cameras coverage and alarm setups that will alert the owner in case there’s a break-in.

The SimpliSafe alarm systems use sensors that sometimes require to be reset or have the batteries replaced. In this guide, we will talk about how you can easily reset SimpliSafe sensors, replace the batteries, and how to address other issues of sensors.

How to reset the SimpliSafe Base Station?

SimpliSafe requires an internet connection in order to operate and connect to the main server. It may happen that the connection drops or is unstable. In this case, you need to reset the base station or reboot the whole system. Follow the steps listed below to reset the base station quickly.

• Power off the base station (unplug it).
• Remove the battery cover (at the bottom of the unit) using a screwdriver.
• Take out the batteries for at least 15-25 seconds and then place them back in.
• Power on the device and wait a few minutes (usually, 1-2 mins) until the connection is established.
• Test out the system by arming it. If it works, then you’re all good.

If the system doesn’t register on the server, this may be caused by expired (or faulty) batteries on the base station. Obviously, you need to replace them.

If the system uses regular alkaline batteries, purchase new ones and replace them yourself. If other types, contact SimpliSafe customer service and they’ll send out new ones.

SimpliSafe sensors are non-responsive

There’s a way to fix non-responsive sensors on a SimpliSafe system, but first, you need to find out which system you have. There are two types of systems; one is called the Original SimpliSafe system and it was sold in 2017 and earlier.
The other one is called Gen3 SimpliSafe which entered the market in 2018. So, if you purchased the system in 207 earlier, you have the Original SimpliSafe version. If you purchased it in 2018 and later, then it’s the Gen3 SimpliSafe system.

Fix the sensors on the Original SimpliSafe System

If the sensors in the Original SimpliSafe are not connecting or not checking in the base station, then you’ll get an error message on the system. Usually, there are two things that cause this error:

• The battery (or batteries) has expired and it needs to be replaced
• The sensor is simply out of range (too far away from the base) and the station cannot communicate with it.

Battery replacement for Original SimpliSafe

Most of the sensors use regular batteries such as CT-123A or alkaline and can be purchased online. Usually, for the sensors, the batteries need to be replaced once in 4-5 years and the system will notify you when you need to do so.

For the keypad and sirens, batteries last around 1 year. The water and carbon monoxide sensors use special batteries and you need to contact SimpliSafe to acquire new ones. Below is the table.

Sensors don’t work because they are out of range

The first thing to do is find out if the sensors are in fact out of range. Follow these steps to test out the setup:.
Via the keypad, press Menu and then enter your master PIN

• Press 5. Once so, on the screen, you should see “5. Test”.
• Then press Away and hit the “5. Test” option.
• Now the base station will enter test mode. 

Next, you should open the door or window that uses the sensor with problems and then press the “Test” button on the Glassbreak or Motion sensor. There are two possibilities:

• The Base Station detects the sensor and will announce it. That means the sensor works and that it’s not an out of range issue.
• The Base Station doesn’t detect the sensor. You need to bring the base station closer to the setup and test it again if it works.

Fix the sensors on the Gen3 SimpliSafe system

Same as the older system, the Gen3 SimpliSafe system will notify the user when the sensors don’t connect to the Base Station. These are the main reasons why you may get error messages on your sensors:

• Batteries have expired and they need to be replaced.
• The sensors are too far away from the station and they show out of range.
• The unit is not programmed properly. Remove the sensor from the keypad under the Devices section.

Battery replacement for Gen3 SimpliSafe System

This kind of system uses mostly regular batteries that can be purchased online at discount prices. Below we’ve listed the common batteries used by this system.

The water and carbon monoxide sensors use special batteries and you need to contact SimpliSafe to get new ones for free. If you don’t find yours, contact SimpliSafe customer service or check out the manual book.

Gen3 SimpliSafe: Sensors don’t work because they are out of range

Start by testing out the sensors that are not working properly. You can check them via the panel (follow the instructions below).

• Press the Menu on and panel and enter your master PIN.
• Go to the “Test Mode” section and select it.
• Then the Base Station will enter the Test Mode.

If you don’t hear anything from the base station, it means the contact is not being detected. Bring the contact or the base station closer and try again. Basically, you need to relocate them closer until both devices are within the range.

If the Base Station detects the sensor without relocating any devices, it means that your system is not showing any out of range issues. Most likely you just need to replace the batteries.

Conclusion

If your SimpliSafe is having problems with its sensors, then you should either replace the batteries or check if the devices are out of range (too far away from the station).

In some cases, the sensors may be faulty and don’t work because of hardware issues. You may contact SimpliSafe customer service and ask them for a replacement.

Either way, having non-responsive sensors may compromise your security and that’s why you should address the issue as soon as possible.