SimpliSafe advises caution with resets. The No Link to Dispatcher article lists resetting the Base Station as a step after checking power, wifi and placement. Rather than a factory reset, SimpliSafe has an article on resynchronizing devices, which reconnects devices to the Base Station when they drop, and one on removing a device in the app and adding it back when a sensor stays offline after a battery change: in the app choose My System, Device Settings, tap the device and choose Remove Device, then add it again using its installation guide.
The checks in more detail
For the Smart Lock there is a dedicated reset article, and for the Base Station replacement there is a transfer process so you do not lose service. Before resetting, note your PINs, settings and device list, since a reset returns settings to defaults. If you are moving, SimpliSafe has moving support articles. Contact support before a full reset, because they can often fix the fault remotely and confirm your monitoring status.
After a reset, set up the Base Station again, re-add devices near it and test in Test Mode. Do not press the Keypad panic button while testing. Photograph your device list and PINs before resetting. After a reset give the Base Station a few minutes to boot. Avoid resetting when the home will be empty. Resynchronizing costs nothing and keeps everything, so try it whenever a device drops out of contact before considering removal.
Removing a device from the app and adding it back is the reset SimpliSafe itself suggests for a sensor that stays offline after a battery change, and it is far less disruptive than resetting the whole Base Station. Before any reset, note the Master PIN and any Duress PIN, because a Duress PIN entered during Test Mode is treated as a real emergency. If you are giving the system away, remove the Base Station from your account through SimpliSafe rather than only resetting it, so that the new owner can register it without a support call.
Differential
Likely causes of “SimpliSafe Base Station will not reset or needs to be reset safely”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A stuck Base Station
What separates it The Base Station does not respond because it is stuck in an odd state
How to confirm Reset the Base Station following the steps in the SimpliSafe article, after checking power, wifi and placement
- 2
A sensor offline after new batteries
What separates it A sensor stays offline after new batteries because its link to the Base Station was lost
How to confirm Remove the sensor from the app and add it again, which builds a fresh link to the Base Station
- 3
A dropped device
What separates it A device shows as not communicating because it has dropped its connection with the Base Station
How to confirm Resynchronize the device so it reconnects, before you think about a full reset
- 4
A replacement unit
What separates it The system looks blank because you have swapped in a new replacement Base Station
How to confirm Use the transfer setup that SimpliSafe provides so the devices and settings move to the new unit
- 5
Settings lost
What separates it Your settings have gone after the reset because a reset clears the saved configuration
How to confirm Rebuild your PINs and settings, then run Test Mode to confirm each device works
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- A note of your PINs and settings, so you can enter them again
- The list of devices in the system
- Which reset step you have already tried
- Whether your monitoring plan is active
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedTry resync first
ReversibleTry to resynchronize first, which reconnects devices to the Base Station without erasing any of your settings.
Remove and re-add stubborn devices
ReversibleRemove any stubborn device in the app under Device Settings and add it again, so its link is rebuilt.
Note PINs and settings
ReversibleWrite down your PINs and settings before a reset, because they are erased and you will need to enter them again.
Reset the Base Station
ReversibleReset the Base Station only if the earlier steps have not worked, following the SimpliSafe article exactly.
Set up again
ReversibleSet the system up again after the reset, and add each device back to it through the app.
Test every device
ReversibleTest every device in Test Mode, so you know each one reports to the Base Station correctly.
Contact SimpliSafe
ReversibleContact SimpliSafe before a full reset, since support can often fix the problem without erasing settings.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Reset
- A last step after checks.
- Resync
- A gentler alternative.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a reset does not restore service, contact SimpliSafe support
- !If a device will not return, remove and re-add it
- !If you are moving home, use the SimpliSafe moving articles instead of a reset
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Power, wifi, placement and reset steps.
Resync.
Replacement and transfer.
Test Mode.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What is resynchronizing?+
Resynchronizing means telling a device to reconnect to the Base Station, without deleting any settings.
Does a reset erase PINs?+
Yes, a reset erases your PINs and settings, so write them down first and enter them again after.
Should I call support first?+
Yes, contacting SimpliSafe first is wise, because support can often solve the problem without a reset.
What are the push notification types?+
The app sends three types of push notification: Alarm, System Status and System Health, each of which can be adjusted.
Can I snooze camera notifications?+
Yes, you can snooze camera notifications in the app, which is useful when you are home and expect activity.
What is a Master PIN?+
The Master PIN is the PIN that opens the Keypad menu, so keep it private and separate from the users' PINs.
What is a Duress PIN?+
A Duress PIN silently signals an emergency when it is entered, while appearing to disarm the system normally.
What is Home mode?+
Home mode arms the perimeter sensors and leaves the motion sensors off, so you can move around inside the home.