Troubleshooting SimpliSafe

Why you can trust SafeWise
products considered
250+
research hours in 25+ in-home tests
10k+
years of combined experience
176+
homes and people protected
10M+

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

With 9 years in journalism, John focuses on smart home tech, previously writing for ASecureLife and serving as Smart Home Editor at Top Ten Reviews.

You may occasionally experience issues with your SimpliSafe devices without any idea of how to fix them. Here are a few common problems with easy fixes.



Stay Safe and become a SafeWise Insider!

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the best safety news, product info, and deals.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Video: How to get the most out of SimpliSafe

Play Video

Subscribe to our Youtube channel and l how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.


Looking for a SimpliSafe alternative?

Best customer experience security
Cove
Cove home security
4 out of 5 stars
4
Monitoring starts at$17.99/mo
pro DIY installation
pro No-hassle cancellation
pro RapidSOS and text alerts

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

SimpliSafe security system troubleshooting

SimpliSafe base station on desk, lit up

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

How do I reset SimpliSafe? How do you reboot a SimpliSafe base station?

SimpliSafe systems sometimes stop working after losing the cellular connection to the base station. You can re-establish a connection with a simple reset:

  1. Unplug the base station.
  2. Remove the battery cover on the bottom of the device using a Phillips-head screwdriver.
  3. Remove one battery for at least 10–15 seconds before putting it back in.
  4. Put the battery cover back on.
  5. Plug the base station in and wait a minute or two for a new connection.
  6. Arm your system to test that it works properly.
Bell
Why is my SimpliSafe red?

The SimpliSafe base station uses colored LED lights to show the system's status:

  • Red means a minor error or a recent alarm.
  • Blue means the system is armed.
  • Amber indicates an ongoing system update.

White represents test mode, setting changes, and setup.

How do I get SimpliSafe out of test mode?

You can enter and exit test mode using the menu on the SimpliSafe Keypad. The system will not contact dispatch while test mode is active. Test mode allows you to check that your sensors and connection to the monitoring center work properly.

SimpliSafe also has a practice mode that temporarily disables professional monitoring for 72 hours after first activating your system. This helps you familiarize yourself with the system free of false alarms.

Why is my SimpliSafe sensor not responding?

SimpliSafe sensors won't work correctly if the battery is too low, they're still in the box from your order, or the device is too far from the base station.

Light Bulb
Keypad out of range

Just like SimpliSafe's sensors, the keypad won't work if it's too far from or isn't paired with the base station. You can tell if the keypad is too far away by looking at its built-in display, which shows Keypad Out of Range.

How do I reset a SimpliSafe sensor?

To reset your sensor, try removing it and re-adding it to your system:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Choose My System from the navigation bar on the bottom of the screen.
  3. Select Device Settings.
  4. Tap on the sensor you want to remove.
  5. Choose Remove Device.
  6. Go to the Home screen.
  7. Tap on the three-bar menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
  8. Select Add Device.
  9. Choose the sensor you want to add.
  10. Follow the in-app prompts.
Checklist
Why is my SimpliSafe sensor not responding?

There are a couple of reasons this could be happening. It may be too far away from the base or your router, or its battery may be dead. 

SimpliSafe camera troubleshooting

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera and parts

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

How can I fix a bad Wi-Fi connection?

Most SimpliSafe camera issues stem from a poor Wi-Fi connection:

  1. Check that the SimpliCam's power cable is plugged in and that your home internet is functional.
  2. For the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera, make sure the battery is fully charged (three lights should illuminate on the battery) and placed correctly in the camera (the metal dots and lines should align).
  3. Check that the camera has the latest password to your network.
  4. Make sure your camera isn't too far from the wireless router. Consider buying a Wi-Fi extender like the TP-Link AC750 if moving the camera closer isn't an option.

How much internet speed do I need to use a SimpliSafe system?

According to SimpliSafe, you need upload speeds of at least 2 Mbps per camera. So if you have four cameras, you need an upload speed of at least 8 Mbps—and that's on top of requirements for any other devices connected to your home network.

Don't know your internet speed?
Download a free internet speed test on the App Store or Google Play.

download the free speed tool app on Google Play

Need more speed? Compare some of the fastest internet providers for 2023 in the table below.

Compare the fastest home internet providers

Carrier
Starting monthly price
Best for
Base speeds
Learn more
Fast download speeds400 Mbps
Fast upload speeds300 Mbps
Working from home100Gbps

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. Exclusions may apply.

SimpliSafe doorbell troubleshooting

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

How do I fix a broken video doorbell?

If your SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro stops working, you can perform a soft reset, hard reset, or reinstall the device.

  • Soft reset: press the small button on the back of your doorbell before putting it back on the charging mount to reboot.
  • Hard reset: press the large button on the back of your doorbell for 10 seconds before putting it back on the charging mount to reboot.
  • Reinstall: remove the doorbell before following the SimpliSafe doorbell installation instructions again—this is useful if you missed an installation step the first time.

Contact SimpliSafe customer support if these solutions don't fix your doorbell.

How do I adjust my doorbell's motion sensitivity?

You can adjust the motion sensitivity in the settings section of the SimpliSafe app and the online portal. Adjusting the doorbell's motion sensitivity cuts down on excess notifications. Turning off notifications doesn't deactivate alerts from visitors pressing the doorbell button.

SimpliSafe smart lock troubleshooting

front door with simplisafe smart lock installed

Image: SafeWise

How do I unlock the door if the battery dies?

Because the SimpliSafe Smart Lock uses your existing deadbolt, you can unlock your door using a key at any time. The smart lock sends occasional notifications when the batteries start to die so you know when to replace them.

What do I do if the installation screws are too long?

SimpliSafe provides shorter screws upon request through the customer support department.


Compare SimpliSafe to other home security brands

Brand
Self-monitoring option
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Starter equipment price
Camera(s) included Icon Tooltip  Dark
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
Icon Yes  LightYes
$249.96Add-on or Lighthouse package and higherAmazon,
Google
Icon No  LightNo
$599.00Add-on or Premium package and higherAmazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
Icon No  LightNo
$0.00Add-on or Video Lite, Video and Control packagesGoogle,
Z-Wave
Icon No  LightNo
Quote required
Online quiz
Custom packagesAmazon, Google
Icon Yes  LightYes
$149.99Add-on or Iota packagesAmazon, Google, Apple, Z-Wave, Zigbee

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. *ADT $28.99 for landline system only. Full ADT disclaimer

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Full ADT disclaimer

Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

John Carlsen
Written by
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

Recent Articles

Hands holding phone with Bark app displayed
Bark App Review
Bark monitors social media, emails, and texts on an unlimited number of devices and alerts...
Frontpoint products
Frontpoint Home Security Review 2025
Our Frontpoint Security review 2025 takes a close look at pricing, equipment, and service. See...
pawbo camera feeding treat to small black dog
Best Pet Cameras of 2025
The best pet cams out there have features to keep your pet entertained while you're...
nanny playing with baby
Best Nanny Cams of 2025
Nanny cams let you keep a close eye on your kids and their caretakers. Read...