A Ring Alarm Contact Sensor protecting a window inside a modern home.

Troubleshooting Contact Sensor (2nd Gen)

Understand Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) light patterns, troubleshoot connection issues, perform a factory reset and more.

Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) is offline or unresponsive

To get your Contact Sensor to respond or come back online:

  • Move the Contact Sensor closer to the Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station.
  • Add a
    between the Contact Sensor and the Base Station. The Range Extender helps extend and expand the Base Station’s Z-Wave network, allowing for greater range and signal strength for all compatible devices at your location.
  • Briefly press the button on the front of the device.
  • Three green blinks:
    The Contact Sensor is ready to connect to the Base Station.
  • Single green blink:
    The Contact Sensor is connected and communicating with your Base Station.
  • Single red blink:
    The Contact Sensor is unable to communicate with the Base Station.

If your Contact Sensor isn’t working or being recognized by your Ring Alarm and the battery power is sufficient, you may have to adjust the position of the magnet and sensor. Move the sensor closer to the magnet or in a more optimal alignment. Get tips for installing your Contact Sensor.

Removing your Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Generation)

To remove your Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Generation):

  1. Open the Ring app.
  2. Tap the
    menu (☰)
    .
  3. Tap
    Devices
    .
  4. Tap
    Alarm Base Station
    or
    Alarm Pro Base Station
    .
  5. Select the Contact Sensor you want to remove.
  6. Tap the
    Device Settings
    tile.
  7. Tap
    Remove
    at the bottom of the screen.
  8. Tap
    Remove Device
    to confirm.

The Ring app will let you know the device was removed. You should leave the battery out until you are ready to reconnect your Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) to your Base Station.

Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) still won't connect or adds as a Binary Sensor

  1. Remove the Contact Sensor off its base. Ensure that the batteries* are installed.
  2. Open the Ring app.
  3. Tap the
    menu (☰)
    .
  4. Tap
    Devices
    .
  5. Tap
    Alarm Base Station
    or
    Alarm Pro Base Station
    .
  6. Tap
    Base Station
    .
  7. Tap the
    Device Settings
    tile.
  8. Tap
    Advanced Options
    .
  9. Tap
    Z-Wave
    , then tap
    Remove Z-Wave Device
    .
  10. Tap
    Remove
    . The Ring app will say, “
    Remove device, listening for device to remove.”
  11. Press and release the pinhole reset button. The device should be removed successfully and can be re-added using the Ring app.

The process of removing your coin cell batteries may differ depending on the type of Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) you’re using. You may need to use a small tool, such as a micro screwdriver, to carefully remove the batteries from their casing.

* Always insert replacement batteries correctly, matching the + (positive) and - (negative) symbols on the battery with the symbols on your Contact Sensor.

Factory resetting your Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Generation)

If you've tried all of the above steps and are still having difficulty with your Contact Sensor, you may need to perform a factory reset on this device. There are a few reasons why a factory reset might be necessary:

  • The Contact Sensor is still waiting or attempting to connect to the Ring app.
  • The Ring app is prompting you to perform a factory reset.

To perform a factory reset:

  1. Slide the Contact Sensor off its base. Ensure that the batteries are installed.
  2. Press and hold the pinhole reset button.
  3. Continue holding down the pinhole reset button until the LED light turns red, then release.
  4. Re-add the Contact Sensor to your Ring Alarm using the Ring app.

While repeating the setup process, when you’re prompted to pull the battery tab you may have to use a small tool, such as a micro screwdriver, to carefully remove the coin cell batteries from the casing of your Contact Sensor, then reinsert them.

Last updated 4 months ago