The SimpliSafe panic button is a great addition to your home security system. These little devices can be hidden throughout your home so you can feel safe knowing all you need to do is press the button to activate the monitoring system. But of course, the button needs to be functioning properly! So you may be wondering: Why is your SimpliSafe panic button not responding?

The most likely reason that your SimpliSafe panic button is not responding is that it is failing to check in with the base system. This can happen for two reasons:

  • The device is too far away from the base station.The batteries need to be replaced.

Luckily, these two problems are quite easy to fix! So if you want to make sure your SimpliSafe button is working perfectly and responding by contacting the monitoring system, keep reading! We have everything you need to know to solve the issue right here so you can get back to feeling safe in your home in the next few minutes. 

How to Find Out if SimpliSafe Panic Button is Not Responding

If you are not sure whether or not your panic button is responding properly and don’t want to set off your alarm unnecessarily, you can easily set the device to a test setting and see if it’s working right now. Just follow these simple instructions:

  • On the keypad, press MENU and then enter your Master PIN.Click “5” on the keypad, it should show up as “5 Test” on the screen. Click the AWAY button to select the Test option. The Base Station will alert you that it is entering Test Mode. Now, press the button on the panic button.The Base Station should announce that it is receiving communication from the button.

If the base station does not acknowledge the test from the panic button, it is not working correctly. But don’t worry, in the next section, we are going to figure out how to solve the problem with just a few easy steps! 

How to Fix a SimpliSafe Panic Button That is Not Responding

Knowing that your SimpliSafe panic button is not responding is important, but understanding how to fix it is essential! 

As you now know, there are essentially two reasons why the device is not responding: 

In order to figure out which problem you are encountering, you will need to test both solutions. 

The Device is too Far Away from Base Station

The most common issue consumers experience with their SimpliSafe panic buttons is that they are too far away from the base station or are struggling to connect due to interference. 

Figuring out if this is your problem is simple. While your base station is still in test mode, remove the panic button from its mounting bracket and bring it closer to the keypad. Then, try the test again. 

If the base station reports that it senses the test, it is certainly a problem with the panic button’s original location and you will have to move either the button itself or even the keypad. 

While choosing where to place your base station and various security alarms and systems is ultimately up to you, there are a few things to pay attention to. 

One is that interference can play a big role, and even if two devices seem close to each other, cement or adobe walls, electronics such as microwaves, smart home hubs, and even baby monitors can all cause problems in communication. 

If you want to make sure all your devices are communicating properly, we recommend placing the base station somewhere in the middle of your home, but not in the kitchen or home office. 

The Batteries Need to be Replaced

The second most likely problem you are facing is that the batteries need to be replaced on your SimpliSafe panic button. 

The CR-2032 Lithium 3V battery in your panic button should last anywhere from three to five years. However, sometimes the batteries burn out quicker than expected.  If moving the panic button closer to the keypad did not help, and the base station test is still not picking up on the device, we recommend changing the battery. 

To do so, simply slide the panic button off its mounting bracket, remove the old battery, and replace it with a new one.  Now, you should run the test again to ensure it solved the problem! 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now understand why your SimpliSafe panic button is not responding, and even more importantly how to test it and fix the problem yourself!