When Arming: "Sensor Bypass"

On the phone app, when I press “Home” so as to arm the alarm, SOMETIMES it will say “Sensor Bypass” on the slider door and asks if I want to continue to rm it. When this happens, I slide the sensor off if it’s base and slide it back on. Then I retry to arm the alarm and it works succesfully. The sensor is only 7 feet away fron the base so distance is not the issue. This has started happening within two days of setting up the system.

Hi @RobertBurns. When a Sensors requires bypass, it is because the Sensor is open or it is tampered. Depending on how the sensor is mounted, it could cause it to be misreading its current status. With your Sensor only being 7 ft. away, it’s not likely that it’s a signal issue. Would you be able to post a few photos of how it’s mounted? Then the Community can take a look and help you determine what may be causing the bypass.

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@RobertBurns wrote:

On the phone app, when I press “Home” so as to arm the alarm, SOMETIMES it will say “Sensor Bypass” on the slider door and asks if I want to continue to rm it. When this happens, I slide the sensor off if it’s base and slide it back on. Then I retry to arm the alarm and it works successfully. The sensor is only 7 feet away from the base so distance is not the issue. This has started happening within two days of setting up the system.

Hello @RobertBurns ,

I’m not sure if you have the Contact Sensor Gen1 or Gen2, but in either Generation it might just be an alignment issue of the magnet possibly?

If you have a Gen1 Contact sensor, the case that holds the magnet is quite large compared to the small magnet inside. Also the magnet inside that case isn’t in the center, but rather is more towards one end. That’s why there are “Alignment-line” marks on both the magnet part and the sensor part which should be lined up. It is possible to have the outer edges of the cases appear to be lined up, and yet have the magnet part mounted backwards (lines are not aligned together). Now that magnet is not near the sensor’s “reed-switch” and can barely close it.

If you have a Gen2 Contact sensor, the magnet is centered inside it’s plastic case, so there is no need for alignment marks.

But with either Generation Contact sensor, it wouldn’t take much side-to-side misalignment for the magnet to not sufficiently hold the ‘reed-switch’ closed. If you only used the double-sided tape to mount the sensor part or smaller magnet part, make sure the alignment hasn’t shifted, or the gap between the two parts isn’t too wide. Maximum gap for Gen1 is 0.5" and for Gen2 is 1.0", although the smaller the gap the better, to insure good confidence in closing the sensor’s internal 'reed-switch."

Or if you only used the double-sided tape to secure the sensor’s base to slider door and the sliding motion of the door is causing the sensor to move from its original mounting spot, you may consider mounting these with screws.

https://community.ring.com/t5/Ring-Alarm/Can-2nd-Gen-Contact-sensors-mount-with-screws/m-p/59218#M5773

If you definitely can rule out an alignment issue, then it may be a problem with you Contact sensor itself, or Metal doors (the Slider Door) can sometimes create interference.

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039497552-Ring-Alarm-Contact-Sensor-Setup-and-Use

Since, when you_“slide the sensor off if it’s base and slide it back on” _appears to help, double-check that the cover of the sensor part is firmly attached to its base (it should ‘click’ when correctly slid on firmly) and that the window/door sliding motion doesn’t tend to dislodge the sensor from its base.

Here are links to help you troubleshoot your Contact Sensor, with step-by-step procedures:

Gen1:

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042739451-Troubleshooting-your-Contact-Sensor-1st-generation-

Gen2:

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360042311972-Troubleshooting-your-Contact-Sensor-2nd-generation-

And then, if all this still doesn’t correct your issue, I would telephone Ring Support for help:

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036196372-Get-in-Touch

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19, their available hours have been changed also:

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041597471-Ring-s-Response-to-COVID-19

I hope this information is helpful :slight_smile:

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Hi @RobertBurns. In the second picture (side view with Woody), you can see that the sensor is not fully seated on the mounting bracket. I would remove the sensor and bracket and place it a little bit further down. With the Generation 2 Contact Sensor, you can have the sensor up to 1" away from the magnet. I Hope this helps!

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@Tom_Ring wrote:

Hi @RobertBurns. In the second picture (side view with Woody), you can see that the sensor is not fully seated on the mounting bracket. I would remove the sensor and bracket and place it a little bit further down. With the Generation 2 Contact Sensor, you can have the sensor up to 1" away from the magnet. I Hope this helps!

Wow @Tom_Ring , you got a great set of ‘eyeballs’! It was wonderful that @RobertBurns , attached those photographs and indeed the second picture does show that shadow on the bottom-side of the sensor! That narrow dark line shadow would not be there if the sensor was fully and correctly seated on its base. I had looked at both pictures and didn’t notice it, until I read your post and relooked very closely the second time. Great catch @Tom_Ring !

:slight_smile:

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