18 Messages
Entry Sensor Open or Not Responding
Even w fresh batteries, TWO entry sensors report as "Not Responding." These are garage window sensors set to "Instant Trigger," since they are NEVER OPENED. But, if I DO open then close the windows, the sensors begin responding again. Annoying. Separately, and differently, a Garage Door Entry Sensor is often reported as OPEN when it is NOT. Fresh battery. Opening the garage door and closing it "fixes" the problem until it recurs. Sensor and magnet are properly spaced and securely mounted. It seems, like the window sensors, to require a "toggle" to get it to report an accurate state.
Accepted Solution
Philoctetes
18 Messages
1 year ago
Thank you for the reply. The "false open" appears to have resolved by re-mounting both the sensor and magnet on thick double-back foam mounting tape. This moved the magnet slightly away from the metal garage door and the magnet and sensor are now slightly closer to each other. Seems to have worked so far.
The "Not Responding" sensor tested fine, so seems to be within range of the base unit, but later gave the same "Not Responding" error. I did then swap it out w another entry sensor (which also registered w/o difficulty). Both have new batteries. For nearly 24° the replacement sensor has not lost communication w the base unit and no "Not Responding" message so far. If the NEW entry sensor continues w/o problem, I'll be inclined to think the 1st is defective.
1
0
emily_s
Community Admin
•
3.4K Messages
1 year ago
Hi @Philoctetes,
An Entry Sensor Not Responding message could be due to a few different things. A new battery could be needed, but it could also be that the Entry Sensor and Base Station are too far away. Putting your system into Test Mode and testing the Entry Sensors that give you this error will help to determine if the Base Station needs to be moved closer. This Help Center article lists out the steps to take when testing an Entry Sensor that shows a Not Responding message.
Regarding the Entry Sensor that is shown as "open" when it is not, is it placed on a metal surface? If either piece of the Entry Sensor is on metal, it can impact the sensor's magnetism and it can read as "open" when it really isn't. You can get around that by placing a buffer between the sensor and the door, like a piece of wood, plastic, or an extra layer of adhesive strips.
2
0
duffy_4
38 Messages
1 year ago
I have also had this issue....BUT what I found is that even if the system says they are not responding, if you open the sensor, it seems to still work. In other words, when SS told me the sensor on a door was not responding, when the alarm was off, I opened the door and got the "chime" to go off which means it was still working and would detect an intruder if the alarm was on.
0
0
spcoop
4 Messages
4 months ago
@emily_s I am also having similar issues. After over 4 years of the sensor working faultlessly (same as bobsubdahl). Follow all the steps above (battery change, remove sensor from system etc.). Tried working with SimpliSafe 'Help' who were their usual useless selves. The more contact with them I have, the more I realize I need an alternative system.
2
0
colleen_floyd
1 Message
3 months ago
I’ve tried all of the above and have the same issue. I’ve given up and just let the exit’ warning’ go. If I set the alarm, and it doesn’t alert Simply Safe, it’s on them. I’ve used four different mounting pad heights to try to remedy the problem. The pieces are accurately placed. Just like they had been since initial install.
0
0
WeldonW
3 Messages
3 months ago
Is this problem similar to this forum? See if delete/add the sensor clears the problem.
If it is, it is related to this old forum:
https://support.simplisafe.com/conversations/alarm-sensors/entry-sensor-says-it-is-offline-after-replacing-the-battery/6190c67f8ea41ebb0623df51?page=1
I was hoping that after two years, they would have fixed the clearing of this user interface "error".
I think the unit isn’t coded to clear the "not responding error" and I consider the delete/add is only a workaround, not a solution. Also, I didn’t get any low battery warnings prior.
It is becoming annoying, since all my sensors' batteries are expiring nearing the same time.
I am at a dilemma, do I change them as needed, or all at once only to repeat the exercise several years from now.
1
0
markclaysc
1 Message
1 month ago
I have a similar problem. The system has been working for 9 months. I got a sensor fail. I open the door shut it and the sensor responded. This has been going on now for weeks. I have replaced the sensor and the new sensor does the same thing. There may be some interrupting frequency but I can't find it. I have not added or removed any device since this system has been installed. Not sure what to do. Again it worked for 9 months and then start failing regularly
1
0