SimpliSafe's article on power and wifi loss says the Base Station has a rechargeable backup battery that keeps it running for up to 24 hours in a power outage, and it switches to battery power automatically. To conserve battery, during an outage you can only arm and disarm with the Keypad, and the app and online account return once power is restored. Its built-in network backup covers a wifi loss, and with a monitoring plan it uses cellular.
The checks in more detail
If the outage lasts longer than 24 hours, SimpliSafe says you can replace the Base Station's rechargeable batteries with different rechargeable batteries, and warns never to use regular single-use batteries because they can damage the device; SimpliSafe recommends contacting support if you need to change the batteries. The Trouble Signal, a three-tone sound every minute with a flashing yellow Trouble Light, can indicate a Base Station battery failure, and it cannot be dismissed until the issue is fixed. The Power Outage error in the app means the Base Station is on battery. Customers since 2019 or earlier may need to update their network backup.
Plug the Base Station into a known working outlet, and check the adapter. After power returns, allow the battery to recharge. Note the date of each outage and how long it lasted, since repeated short ones can drain a battery before a long one arrives. Store spare rechargeable cells charged and labeled. Do not leave a long outage unplanned if you monitor a vulnerable home. The Trouble Signal repeats every minute, so treat it as a request to find the cause, and start with the app's System Health messages, which name the device.
The rechargeable cells inside the Base Station are the part that ages, so a unit that holds a charge for far less than 24 hours after several years is a candidate for battery replacement even if the adapter is fine. After any long outage give the Base Station a few hours on mains power to recharge before you rely on it for a second outage. Keep a note of the outlet the Base Station uses and avoid outlets controlled by a wall switch, since a switch turned off looks exactly like a power outage and puts the system on battery without warning.
Differential
Likely causes of “SimpliSafe Base Station (Gen 3) has power or battery problems”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A power outage
What separates it The Base Station shows a power outage message because the home lost power and it switched to its battery
How to confirm Wait for the power to come back, or check that the outlet and the home circuit are working
- 2
A depleted battery
What separates it The Base Station shuts down in a long outage because its backup battery ran flat after many hours
How to confirm Fit fresh rechargeable batteries so the Base Station can keep running through the next outage
- 3
Wrong battery type
What separates it The Base Station shows a warning because the wrong type of battery has been fitted
How to confirm Use only the rechargeable batteries made for it, and never use single-use ones such as alkaline cells
- 4
A failed battery
What separates it The Base Station gives a Trouble Signal because the backup battery has failed and no longer holds a charge
How to confirm Contact SimpliSafe support, since they can advise on replacing the failed battery
- 5
A loose adapter
What separates it The outage message keeps appearing on and off because the power adapter is loose at the socket or the unit
How to confirm Reseat the power adapter firmly at the wall outlet and at the Base Station, then watch the message
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact outage or battery message shown in the app
- Whether the Base Station is giving a Trouble Signal
- The type of battery fitted in the Base Station
- Whether the outlet works with another device plugged in
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the outlet and adapter
ReversibleCheck the outlet works with another device and that the adapter is seated fully at both ends.
Read the message
ReversibleRead the message in the app, since Power Outage means it is running on the backup battery right now.
Use the Keypad
ReversibleUse the Keypad during an outage, because it keeps working to arm and disarm while the app cannot connect.
Wait for power
ReversibleWait for power to return, remembering the backup battery lasts up to 24 hours on a full charge.
Replace with rechargeable batteries
ReversibleReplace the battery with rechargeable batteries only, and never use single-use batteries in the Base Station.
Check the Trouble Signal
ReversibleCheck for the Trouble Signal, which can mean the battery has failed and needs attention or replacing.
Contact SimpliSafe
ReversibleContact SimpliSafe if it will not hold a charge, so they can help with a replacement battery.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Outage
- Keypad only while on battery.
- Battery
- Rechargeable cells only.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the Trouble Signal continues after checks, contact SimpliSafe support
- !If a long outage is expected, arrange batteries
- !If the battery has failed and will not hold a charge, replace it with the right type
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Battery backup and network backup.
Trouble Signal and light.
Power, wifi, placement and reset steps.
Setup.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I use alkaline batteries?+
No, use rechargeable batteries only, because single-use batteries such as alkaline ones can damage it.
What works in an outage?+
The Keypad keeps working during an outage, so you can still arm and disarm the system with a PIN.
Does the app work in an outage?+
Not until power returns, since the app needs the home wifi, which usually goes down with the power.
Should I contact support to change batteries?+
SimpliSafe recommends contacting support about the battery, so they can help you replace it correctly.
Does it recharge?+
Yes, it recharges by itself whenever the Base Station is plugged in and receiving power from the outlet.
Does Test Mode affect monitoring?+
No, Test Mode does not affect monitoring, so you can check your devices without alerting the Monitoring Center.
How many users can I add?+
You can add up to 25 additional users, each with their own PIN, in addition to the Account Owner.
Do additional users need a plan?+
No, only the Account Owner needs a plan, and additional users share the Account Owner's monitoring plan.