Troubleshooting Common Sensor Issues

Having Trouble with Your Door/Window Sensor?

If your door or window sensor is experiencing issues, we’re here to help! Whether it’s showing a low battery, a tamper warning, an alarm trigger, or is malfunctioning, follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Common Sensor Issues & Solutions

Alarm Triggered

An alarm may be triggered if the sensor detects an unexpected entry or if there’s a misalignment issue. Follow these steps to determine the cause and resolve it.

Confirm whether the alarm was triggered by an actual entry or a false alarm.
Check if the sensor and magnet are properly aligned (within ½ inch of each other).
Ensure there are no environmental factors like strong winds, vibrations, or nearby electronics interfering with the sensor.
Reset the alarm system and test the sensor to confirm it’s functioning correctly.

Low Battery Warning

Your sensor may display a low battery warning when power levels drop below a certain threshold. Replacing the battery should resolve this issue.

Replace the battery with a fresh, compatible one. Refer to your user manual for battery specifications.
Ensure the battery is inserted correctly with the proper polarity.
After replacing the battery, check if the sensor status updates in your system.

Sensor Tamper Warning

A tamper warning occurs when the sensor cover is removed or not properly secured. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized tampering.

Ensure the sensor cover is securely closed and properly aligned.
If the cover is damaged, consider replacing it or securing it firmly.
Check your system’s control panel to clear any tamper notifications.
If tamper warnings continue, try removing and re-adding the sensor to the system.

Sensor Malfunction

If your sensor is not responding or not communicating with your system, it may be experiencing a malfunction.

Ensure the sensor and magnet are properly aligned (typically within ½ inch of each other).
Verify that there are no obstructions between the sensor and its paired device.
Power cycle your security panel to refresh the connection.
If the sensor remains unresponsive, try removing and re-adding it to your system.

Sensor Bypassed

A bypassed sensor means it has been manually disabled in the system and will not trigger alarms. This is often done for convenience but may need to be re-enabled.

Check your system settings to ensure the sensor is not manually bypassed.
Disarm and re-arm your security system to reset the sensor status.
If bypassing persists, verify that the sensor is functioning correctly.
Remove and re-add the sensor if necessary.

Tamper Events Disabled

Some security systems allow tamper alerts to be disabled manually. If tamper events are turned off, the system will not notify you when the sensor is disturbed.

Check your system settings to confirm whether tamper alerts are enabled.
If tamper alerts were disabled unintentionally, re-enable them through your control panel or mobile app.
Ensure the sensor is securely mounted to prevent accidental disconnections.

Additional Support

If you've tried these steps and your sensor is still not working correctly, our Brinks Home™ Support team is ready to assist. Call us at 469.391.4024 or visit our Help Center for more troubleshooting tips.

Your home’s security is our top priority, and we’re here to help you every step of the way!