ADT's device articles emphasise removing and re-adding devices rather than a general reset. Its remove or add article explains how: in the ADT+ app open the menu, choose Devices, select the device, tap Remove Device and confirm; once removed the device no longer monitors your area. Add it again with Devices, plus, ADT Device and follow the prompts. You might remove a device if it was lost or stolen, you moved and left it behind,
The checks in more detail
or it was reset while already paired to an ADT+ account, in which case it has to be removed from the account and set up as new. For Z-Wave devices, use Smart Home Device to add, which puts the Base in inclusion mode, and remove by exclusion mode; if a device is unavailable you can remove it as a failed device or use General Exclusion under the Base's Advanced Settings. The offline article says a sensor that will not reconnect may need removing and re-adding.
For the Base itself, resetting removes all devices, so contact ADT before a reset, note your devices and users, and have your codes ready. Test in Test Mode after re-adding. If you are moving, ADT has a moving article. Photograph your device list before removing anything so you can rebuild it. After re-adding, give the device a moment to sync before testing. Avoid removing devices when the home is empty.
A device that has been reset while still paired to an account must be removed and set up as new, which is why removing first matters. If a device was reset while already paired, ADT says it must be removed from the account and set up as new, which is the most common reason a re-added sensor refuses to connect. Test every re-added device in Test Mode with the system disarmed, so a real alarm is not triggered by your check.
Differential
Likely causes of “ADT Base will not reset or needs to be reset safely”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A stuck sensor
What separates it A sensor will not reconnect to the Base after it was moved, reset or had its battery changed
How to confirm Remove the sensor from the app and then add it again as a new device from the Devices menu
- 2
A lost or stolen device
What separates it A device that was lost, stolen or thrown away is still listed on the account and still counts as paired
How to confirm Remove the lost device from the Devices menu so it can no longer be used with the Base
- 3
A reset device
What separates it A device that was reset by hand still shows as already paired and will not join the Base again
How to confirm Remove the old entry first, then set the device up again from the start as if it were new
- 4
A failed Z-Wave device
What separates it A failed Z-Wave device cannot be excluded normally and stays stuck in the device list
How to confirm Use the failed device removal option that ADT describes for Z-Wave devices that will not exclude
- 5
A moving household
What separates it A move to a new home leaves an old Base linked to the account and to the address you left
How to confirm Follow ADT's moving article, which explains how to transfer service and the Base to the new address
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which device you are removing and what type of device it is
- Your device list in the ADT+ app before you remove anything
- Your user codes and which users are on the account
- The removal method you used, in the app or by Z-Wave exclusion
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedNote your devices and users
ReversibleNote your devices and users before you remove anything, so you can add each one back afterwards and give the same people the same access.
Open Devices
ReversibleOpen the Devices menu in the ADT+ app, which lists every sensor, camera and Z-Wave device that is currently paired with the Base.
Remove the device
ReversibleSelect the device, tap Remove Device and confirm, which unpairs it from the Base; ADT's articles use this in place of a general reset of the Base.
Add it again
ReversibleAdd the device again from Devices with the plus button and choose ADT Device, then follow the pairing steps that the app shows for that device.
Use exclusion for Z-Wave
ReversibleFor a Z-Wave device that will not remove, use exclusion mode to take it off the network, or ADT's failed-device removal when it will not exclude.
Test in Test Mode
ReversibleTest in Test Mode after re-adding, so that you can check each device reports to the Base without raising a real alarm.
Contact ADT
ReversibleContact ADT if the device still will not remove or add, and have your device list and account details ready before you call.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Reset
- Handled as remove and re-add.
- Z-Wave
- Use inclusion and exclusion.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a device will not re-add, contact ADT through chat
- !If a Base reset is needed, contact ADT first
- !If you are moving, use ADT's moving article rather than resetting the Base yourself
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Removing and adding devices.
Offline meaning and fixes per device.
Base setup and placement.
Primary, Admin, Standard, Basic and Duress users.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I remove a device?+
To remove a device open Devices in the ADT+ app, select the device and tap Remove Device, then confirm; it is then unpaired from the Base.
Does removal stop monitoring?+
Yes, removing a device stops the Base monitoring it, so remove only devices you no longer use and add them back if you still need them.
How do I remove Z-Wave?+
A Z-Wave device is removed with exclusion mode, which takes the device off the Z-Wave network so that it can be paired again cleanly.
What is a failed device?+
A failed device is a Z-Wave device that has stopped responding, so it cannot be excluded in the usual way and has to be removed by force.
Should I call ADT before a Base reset?+
Yes, call ADT before resetting or replacing the Base, because service and monitoring are tied to the Base and the account.
Do I test after re-adding?+
Yes, test the system after you re-add devices so you know each device reports properly before you rely on the system again.
What is a Basic user?+
A Basic user is a code-only user without an app login, suited to guests or children who only need to arm and disarm at the keypad.
Who can add users?+
Only Primary and Admin users can add other users, so if you need someone added, ask a person who holds one of those two roles.
What is a Duress code?+
A Duress code is a silent emergency code for professionally monitored systems, used when someone is forced to disarm the system under pressure.