ADT Motion Sensor Not Working: 7 Ways To Fix

adt motion sensor not working
adt motion sensor not working

ADT is a tech company that offers its customers smart security solutions. Their products are extremely reliable and quite easy to set up. Their products can be a bit expensive, but can you put a price on your safety?

There is no point in going cheap when setting up the security system. The budget should never be your main concern, and the only thing that you need to value is the reliability of the device.

You will be able to avoid a ton of tricky situations when you have a robust security system in play. 

This is especially true for some of the more established brands like ADT. This option has been dominating the market for years and will continue to do so for many more.

As long as you install the system correctly or have a professional help you with the installation, you will avoid many errors.

You can set up security cameras and motion sensors that will alert you about any intrusion through mobile notifications.

If you’re having trouble getting your motion sensors to work, then here are some possible fixes you can follow to sort out this problem.

ADT Motion Sensor Not Working

  1. Replace Batteries

The most common cause for motion sensors not working is drained batteries. Whenever the batteries are low, you will see a low battery symbol next to your motion sensor icon in your ADT app. It will remain there until you replace the batteries.

To replace the batteries, get yourself a screwdriver and one or two batteries, depending on which model you’re using. Put your sensor in test mode. That way, you can avoid receiving false alarms. You can do so through My ADT web interface. 

After it is in test mode, simply unscrew the screw that is on the top or bottom of your sensor, depending on the model number.

battery life

Once the sensor is out, just take out the old batteries and wait around 30 seconds before you put in the new batteries. Fix the sensor back in its place after it turns on. Lastly, make sure you take the sensor off the test mode, and it should start working.

  1. Check Temperature

The next thing that you need to check here is the temperature. You will not be able to get through these errors when there seem to be temperature issues with the system.

So, if you’re stuck in these errors or can’t seem to find a solution, be sure to check up on the temperature as well. 

Most of the time, owners run into these issues when the system is installed close to a fireplace or a heating system. So, if you’re in the same boat and installed the sensors a little too close to the fire, then now might be a good time to find a new spot.

You will not be able to get through these errors when there seem to be temperature issues, and the only suitable fix that you can implement is to change the location.

Trying to cover up the sensors might create more issues, and you should just focus on finding a shaded region.

This will keep the sensors protected from harsh temperature changes, and the unit will not overheat when exposed to direct sunlight for hours.

So, be sure to keep all of these pointers in mind when you can’t seem to get through the performance issues with the ADT motion sensors.

  1. Clean Up The Sensors

The next method here might seem a bit too simple, but you’re not left with many options. All that you have to do is to get rid of the debris and the grime that has collected on the sensors.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to get anything out of the unit when it is covered up. 

Weekly maintenance cycles and cleaning routines for all of your smart units will help you get a robust response for years on end.

So, if you’re also stuck in these issues and can’t seem to find a fix, just be sure to quickly cycle through the basic maintenance routine. 

All that you have to do is to blast the system with compressed air, and that will be more than enough to help you get rid of the dust. From there, you can go about checking the performance one more time.

High Performance

A good thing to do here would be to power cycle the system. You can simply remove all power from the unit and then power it up one more time. It will not take much effort, and the response from the system will be pretty reasonable. 

Hopefully, the situation will be in your control in no time, and fixing the unit will come easily to you. 

  1. Check For Hardware Damage

Now, you have to check up on the hardware to isolate more issuers. If you’re not getting any response at this stage, then you should narrow down the issue by checking up on the hardware.

You have to make sure that the hardware is not damaged and that there are no cracks in the system.

Sometimes, owners can make mistakes and damage the sensors during installation. For this reason, it is always recommended that you never take any risks with the security system and have an expert help you out.

That way, you will be able to avoid these situations. 

With that said, if you do find the situation to be out of your hands and the motion sensors are damaged, then you have to contact ADT support.

All that you have to do is to explain your end and then reach out to the dealer. He will help you out through the warranty claim, and you won’t have to worry as much. 

  1. Check The Wiring

If you’re dealing with a wired sensor, then the issue might be more with the wiring. The wiring is getting damaged all of the time, and you need to check for loose connections and frayed sections.

That will help you avoid more errors down the road. 

The situation with the loose or frayed sections can be hard to avoid, but you’re not left with many options when the sensors are installed in a rough spot.

replace unit

So, all that you have to do is to replace the wiring and then check up on the system one more time.

Hopefully, you will not have to bother with the same errors down the road, and fixing the unit will come easily to you. It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing this situation, and the hardware side of things should be managed properly.

From there, you can also move to reset the sensors if you believe that the hardware is already in peak condition. That way, you will be able to avoid a ton of errors down the road.

  1. Reset Sensors

If you have multiple sensors and a few of them have lost connection then you can get them working again by resetting the sensors.

This can take a bit of your time to reconfigure all your sensors to work together with the hub. But it can potentially fix most of the sensor errors, and you can get them to work again.

To do this, you have to launch your web browser and go to SmartThings IDE. After that, connect to the ADT hub through the web browser and reboot the panel.

Finally, reset the sensors that are malfunctioning and pair them again with the hub. This will most probably sort out the issue for you.

  1. Contact ADT

If none of the fixes seem to work for you and you’ve tried everything from rebooting to factory resetting the sensors, then you should get in contact with ADT support.

Your sensors are likely faulty, and you need to get them replaced. But to be sure, you need first to contact customer support and explain your issue to them.

This will ensure that you’re receiving help from a trained professional that can guide you through every step of the way to sort out this problem.

Either go to their web page and open up a support ticket or simply send them a mail explaining your issue in great detail.

Doing this will increase your chances of getting the sensors to work unless they are damaged, in which case the only choice left is to replace them.

Wrapping Up

ADT motion sensors can be pretty amazing if you install them correctly. However, it is not that rare to see owners complaining about the ADT sensors not working. Most of the time, it is just the batteries, and you can replace them to fix the situation.

From there, you can also limit the programming bugs by power cycling and resetting the sensors. Ideally, you will be sorted when you get through with these solutions. 

However, if you’re still stuck, then the hardware or the position of the sensors might be to blame. You will have to call the dealer to get a replacement or reach out to the official support team. There are no other methods around these fixes. 

Leave a Comment