Troubleshooting Tampered Contact Sensors

Installed on windows and doors, Contact Sensors monitor when someone enters the home or opens a window. If the Contact Sensor is triggered, the alarm will siren, a notification will be sent to you via the Ring app, or both depending on your personal settings.

When a sensor has been removed or adjusted in some way, the tamper switch provides an added layer of security by triggering your Alarm to siren and prompting the Tampered Indicator to notify you in the app that the sensor has been tampered with.

Review your Contact Sensor’s installation instructions.

Before starting troubleshooting steps for your tampered Contact Sensor (1st Generation) or Contact Sensor (2nd Generation), review its installation instructions here.

Resolving a tampered Contact Sensor (1st Gen)

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.

Important: 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.

Review your Outdoor Contact Sensor’s installation instructions.

Before starting troubleshooting steps for your Outdoor Contact Sensor, review its installation instructions here.

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