Troubleshooting Tampered Contact Sensors

Learn about the tamper switch on the Ring Alarm contact sensors.

Contact sensors detect when someone opens and closes either a door, window, or outdoor access point such as a gate. They have a tamper switch that tells when the sensor is not fully attached to its mounting bracket. This can happen if the sensor is not properly installed or someone purposefully tries to remove the sensor.

What are the types of contact sensors?

Ring Alarm has three types of contact sensors: Contact Sensor 1st Generation, Contact Sensor 2nd Generation, and the Outdoor Contact Sensor.

Types of contact sensors	Image
Contact Sensor (1st Generation)
Contact Sensor (2nd Generation)
Outdoor Contact Sensor

What does the Tamper Indicator do?

Installed on windows and doors, Contact Sensors monitor when someone enters the home or opens a window. If the Contact Sensor is triggered with or without your consent, the alarm will sound or a notification will be sent to your app (or both depending on your settings).

The Tampered Indicator lets you know when one of your sensors has been removed or adjusted in some way. You’ll see a notification in the app that the sensor has been tampered with.

The tamper switch provides an extra layer of security to help ensure that your Contact Sensor is working correctly and help keep your home or business secure. If your Ring Alarm system is armed in Home or Away mode and a device is tampered with, it will sound the alarm.

How to identify if your Contact Sensor is tampered

The Ring app has multiple ways to indicate when a Contact Sensor is tampered.

The Main Dashboard

The Alarm Devices List

The Sensor’s Device Details Page

Tip
Contact Sensors usually report as tampered when they are not placed on the mounting bracket correctly, not installed correctly (positioned at the proper distance from the magnet), or if the tamper switch is damaged.

Also, when you change the battery, the Contact Sensor will report tampered until you close the cover securely.

Resolving a tampered Contact Sensor (1st Generation)

1. Disarm the Contact Sensor (1st Generation) in the Ring app using Mode Setting for the specific device you’re working on or disarm the Ring Alarm system from the dashboard of the app to prevent triggering the alarm while troubleshooting.
2. Select the device on the Ring app and check the battery status. If it’s low, you’ll need to replace your batteries.
3. Carefully slide the Contact Sensor (1st Generation) from its mounting bracket.
4. Remove the batteries, wait a few seconds, then reinsert. Make sure that the polarities (+ and -) match up correctly.
5. Slide the cover back on the mounting bracket securely until you hear it snap into place.
6. If you’re still receiving a tampered notification, remove the magnet from its position, wait five seconds, then stick it back in place. Make sure it is no more than 1/2 inch away from the sensor.
7. Confirm that your sensor is showing as online and can communicate with the Base Station.
8. Confirm that the tamper indicator is deactivated in your Ring app.

Resolving a tampered Contact Sensor (2nd Generation)

1. Disarm the Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) in the Ring app using Mode Setting for the specific device you’re working on or disarm the Ring Alarm system from the dashboard of the app to prevent triggering the alarm while troubleshooting.
2. Select your device on the Ring app and check the battery status. If it’s low, you’ll need to replace your batteries.
3. Carefully remove the Contact Sensor (2nd Generation) from its mounting bracket by sliding it off.
4. Remove the batteries, wait a few seconds, then reinsert, ensuring that the polarities (+ and -) match up correctly.*
5. Slide the cover back on the Contact Sensor securely until you hear it snap into place.
6. If your sensor is still showing as tampered, remove the magnet from its position, wait five seconds, then stick it back in place. Make sure that it is no more than 1 inch apart from your sensor.
7. Confirm that your sensor is showing as online and can communicate with the Base Station.
8. Confirm that the tamper indicator is deactivated in your 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 remove the batteries from their casing.

Resolving a tampered Outdoor Contact Sensor

1. Check your Outdoor Contact Sensor to ensure that it hasn’t fallen off of your outdoor gate or shed due to inclement weather.
2. Disarm the Outdoor Contact Sensor in the Ring app using Mode Setting for the specific device you’re working on or disarm the Ring Alarm system from the dashboard of the app to prevent triggering the alarm while troubleshooting.
3. Check the battery status for your Outdoor Contact Sensor in the Ring app. If the battery is low, this could be the issue. You’ll need to replace them with fresh batteries. Tap here for details on how to correctly change your Contact Sensor battery.
4. If battery status is fine, slide the Outdoor Contact Sensor from its mounting bracket. Remove the batteries, wait a few seconds, then reinsert, ensuring that the polarities (+ and -) match up correctly.
5. Slide the Contact Sensor back on its mounting bracket and snap it closed securely.
6. If your sensor is still showing as tampered, remove the magnet from its position, wait five seconds, then stick it back in place. Make sure that it is no more than 1 inch apart from your sensor.
7. Confirm that your sensor is showing as online and can communicate with the Base Station.
8. Confirm that the tamper indicator is deactivated in your Ring app.

Additional troubleshooting steps

If the prior steps did not resolve the tampered indicator issue for your Contact Sensor, you may need to retry the connection to the device, reset, reinstall, or reconfigure the device. Make sure that the batteries are properly installed, and the cover is securely snapped in place.

Before performing the following steps, make sure that the device is properly positioned at your window or door. Disarm your Ring Alarm system. Check that the batteries are properly installed and the cover is securely in place.

To retry connection:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the menu (☰).
3. Tap Devices.
4. Select Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station.
5. Tap the tampered Contact Sensor under the Sensors section.
6. Tap the Device Settings tile.
7. Click Device Settings.
8. Tap Advanced Options.
9. Select the option to Retry Connection and follow the directions on that screen.
10. Tap Retry Connection again on the next screen.
11. Check your Contact Sensor on the app to confirm the tampered indicator has cleared.

To remove your Contact Sensor:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the menu (☰).
3. Tap Devices.
4. Tap the tampered Contact Sensor under the Sensors section.
5. Tap the Device Settings tile.
6. Tap Remove Device at the bottom of the screen.
7. Confirm device removal by tapping Remove Device on the next screen.
8. Tap Got it once your Contact Sensor is successfully removed.
9. Slide your Contact Sensor from its base so that you can see the batteries.
10. Use a paper clip to quickly press and release the pinhole button at the top, above the batteries.
11. Proceed with the next step to re-install your sensor.

To re-install your Contact Sensor:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the menu (☰).
3. Tap Set Up a Device.
4. Select your Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station under Security then scroll down to Sensors.
5. Click to add a 1st Generation Contact Sensor, 2nd generation Contact Sensor, or Outdoor Contact Sensor.
6. Follow the prompts to add your sensor.
7. Confirm that your Contact Sensor is no longer showing as tampered.

To reconfigure your Contact Sensor:

1. Open the Ring app.
2. Tap the menu (☰).
3. Tap Devices.
4. Select your Alarm or Alarm Pro Base Station under Security then scroll down to Sensors.
5. Choose your sensor from the list.
6. Click Device Settings.
7. Tap Advanced Options.
8. Select the option to Reconfigure Device and follow the instructions on the app screen.
9. Follow the prompts to reconfigure your device.
10. Confirm that your Contact Sensor is no longer showing as tampered.

Additional resources

Ring Alarm Contact Sensor - Setup and Use
How to Install your Ring Alarm Contact Sensors on Different Types of Doors, Windows, and Trim
Troubleshooting your Contact Sensor (1st generation)
Troubleshooting your Contact Sensor (2nd generation)
Ring Alarm Outdoor Contact Sensor - Setup and Use