SimpliSafe's sensors talk to the Base Station over its own local radio link, not wifi, so an offline sensor is a battery, range or interference problem. The app shows an offline or Not Responding message and the Base Station may announce it, and the Trouble Signal can sound for a component that is not responding. First replace the battery: SimpliSafe lists the type and life for each device, such as one CR2032 for the Entry Sensor, one CR123A for the Motion Sensor Gen 2, a CR123A for the Glassbreak Sensor and four AA cells for the Keypad.
The checks in more detail
If a sensor does not return after new batteries, SimpliSafe says it may have been offline too long and the best step is to remove it in the app and add it back: My System, Device Settings, tap the device, Remove Device, then follow its installation guide. Check range and placement: the Panic Button and Keypad articles say a weak connection is often environmental, such as brick walls or dense construction, and to keep wireless devices at least three to five feet away.
Test by moving the sensor closer to the Base Station. The Keypad should be within about ten feet of the Base Station where possible. Use Test Mode from the Keypad to check each device. If several sensors drop, look at the Base Station's placement and interference. Compare the sensor's distance to the Base Station with the ten-foot rule of thumb SimpliSafe gives for the Keypad, since most offline sensors sit far beyond it. A sensor that drops only when a garage door opener runs points at interference, so note what is active when it fails.
Contact support with the serial number and battery type ready. Sensors that drop together after a change point at the Base Station's position or a new source of interference, so think about what changed that week before you touch the sensors. SimpliSafe advises keeping other wireless devices three to five feet from a sensor, and that advice explains most cases where a sensor is fine in the middle of the day and offline whenever a particular appliance runs.
Differential
Likely causes of “SimpliSafe sensors, Keypad and accessories is offline or unavailable”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A weak or dead battery
What separates it The sensor shows offline because its battery is weak or has run out completely
How to confirm Replace the battery with the type listed for that device, and fit it with the right polarity
- 2
Range or dense walls
What separates it The app shows Not Responding because the sensor is too far or behind dense walls
How to confirm Move the sensor closer to the Base Station, or move the Base Station to a more central place
- 3
Wireless interference
What separates it The sensor goes on and off because wireless devices nearby are causing interference
How to confirm Move other wireless devices at least three to five feet away from the sensor and the Base Station
- 4
A long-offline sensor
What separates it The sensor does not come back after being offline for a long time and has lost its link
How to confirm Remove the sensor in the app and add it again, which creates a fresh link to the Base Station
- 5
A Base Station problem
What separates it Several sensors drop out at the same time because the Base Station itself has a problem
How to confirm Check the Base Station is powered and online, and follow its troubleshooting steps first
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which device is offline and the type of battery that it uses
- The distance to the Base Station
- Which other wireless devices are close to the sensor and the Base Station
- Whether one device or several devices are dropping out together
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReplace the battery
ReversibleReplace the battery with the right type for that device, and check the polarity as you fit it.
Move it closer
ReversibleMove the sensor closer to the Base Station to test the range, then find a place where it stays online.
Clear interference
ReversibleClear sources of interference by keeping other wireless devices three to five feet away from it.
Remove and re-add
ReversibleRemove and re-add the sensor in the app if it will not return, which builds its link again.
Test in Test Mode
ReversibleTest the device in Test Mode from the Keypad, to check that it now reports to the Base Station.
Check the Base Station
ReversibleCheck the Base Station if several devices drop, because the problem may be with it and not the sensors.
Contact SimpliSafe
ReversibleContact SimpliSafe if the sensor stays offline, and tell them the device and the battery type used.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Sensors
- Use SimpliSafe's own radio link.
- Re-adding
- Remove in the app, then add again.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Entry Sensor, Glassbreak Sensor, Wireless Keypad, Panic Button, Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, Temperature Sensor, Water Sensor, Key Fob.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a sensor stays offline after re-adding, contact SimpliSafe support
- !If several sensors drop, check the Base Station
- !If the battery is fresh and the sensor is still offline, check the range to the Base Station
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Battery types and lives for every device.
Battery and range steps.
Keypad pairing and range.
Base Station connection.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What if a sensor stays offline after new batteries?+
Remove the sensor in the app and add it back, which builds a new link with the Base Station.
How far should wireless devices be?+
Keep other wireless devices about three to five feet away, to avoid interference with the radio link.
How do I test a device?+
Use Test Mode from the Keypad, which lets you trigger each device and see that it reports in.
What causes Not Responding?+
Not Responding is usually caused by a weak battery, or by the sensor being out of range of the Base Station.
Can walls block the signal?+
Yes, dense walls and large metal objects can weaken the radio signal, so range can drop in some homes.
Can the Keypad go out of range?+
Yes, the Keypad can lose contact if it is too far from the Base Station, or if walls block the signal.
What battery does the Entry Sensor use?+
The Entry Sensor uses one CR2032 lithium cell, which can last up to five years.
What batteries does the Keypad use?+
The Keypad uses four AA alkaline cells, which last eight to twelve months in normal use.
What does the Panic Button use?+
The Panic Button uses one CR2032 cell, which can last up to five years.