In this Xfinity troubleshooting guide, find out the reasons behind the Xfinity Home Security Door Sensor not working, and importantly, working fixes.
An Xfinity door/window sensor is a home automation device that secures and monitors your home, the smart way.
Xfinity door/window sensors, just like all smart home devices, can malfunction at times. So, it’s not unusual if your Xfinity door, window, or motion sensor is not working or is working erratically.
There are many reasons why your Xfinity sensor is not working or is malfunctioning. It could be improper installation, a dead battery, or comms failure. It might also be that the sensor is faulty and needs servicing or replacement.
If you are looking for working fixes for an Xfinity window/door sensor that is not working or a malfunctioning motion sensor, this is the place to be.
Find out some of the common reasons that may cause your sensors not to work correctly and how to fix each problem.
Why is Xfinity Home Security Door Sensor Not Working?
In this first segment of this Xfinity Home Sensors troubleshooting guide, we have listed some of the common reasons your Xfinity Home Security door/window sensor is not working.
You will also find solutions for fixing each problem.
How to Test Xfinity Home Security Door/Window Sensor
From time to time, it’s essential to test your Xfinity sensors. You should also check them when you suspect they are not functioning as they should.
Below is a step-by-step guide to testing the functionality of an Xfinity door/window sensor.
Step 1: Disarm your Home Security system.
Step 2: Activate the sensor’s sound notification.
Step 3: Open and close each window or door connected to the sensor.
If you can hear a sound, your door/window sensor is working.
Note: You can also confirm whether or not the sensor is working by watching out for a response on the Xfinity Touchscreen when you open or close the door/window.
Troubleshooting Xfinity Home Security Door/Window Sensor Problems
Below are some of the common problems associated with Xfinity door and window sensors not working and the respective solutions.
1. Worn Out Batteries
The internal batteries in your sensor wear out with time. If they are not replaced when needed, they can lead to sensor malfunction.
Make sure to replace the battery at least within two weeks of getting that low-battery alert.
Note: When replacing batteries, be careful not to touch the tamper switch lest you end up with a Tamper Error on the touchscreen.
2. Door/Window Sensor Not Pairing with the Hub
If your Xfinity door or window sensor is not pairing with the hub, the problem is possibly improper installation. First, make sure the sensor is within the hub’s proximity when pairing.
Another potential fix will be pulling the activation tab to complete the battery circuit. If the problem was any of the two reasons explained above, the sensor’s LED should blink when it’s ready for pairing.
However, if everything is fine, but the pairing-ready LED is not blinking, the sensor might be in ‘sleep’ mode, or it needs to be restarted.
Restarting an Xfinity sensor is a pretty straightforward process. First, remove the battery, drain residual power, and insert the battery back.
3. Comms Failure Alert
When you suddenly receive a Comms Failure Alert, you could be having a faulty sensor.
Here, we recommend doing a sensor test to confirm that the sensor is faulty. Once you confirm that you have a faulty sensor, the only option is having it serviced by Xfinity or buying a new sensor.
4. Door/Window Sensor Shows ‘Closed’ When ‘Open’ and Vice Versa
There are times your sensor will send the wrong door/window status. For example, it might show that the door is closed yet it is opened.
In this case, your sensor is not installed correctly. Ensure the magnet and sensor are close enough when the door/window is closed and far apart when open.
5. Touchscreen Shows a Tamper Message
The touchscreen has a troubleshooting guide that displays error messages. If the tamper error message shows up, there could be a problem with your sensor’s cover or batteries. It could also be a bug.
To sort the problem, make sure that the sensor’s compartment is closed correctly. If this doesn’t solve the error, replace the battery.
6. Touchscreen Shows Communication Lost with Sensor Error
Another common error displayed on your touchscreen is Communication Lost with the door/window sensor.
If you have not moved the Xfinity Touchscreen panel, restarting the sensor could fix the problem. If the error is not solved after restarting the sensor, replace the battery.
In case you moved the touchscreen, consider returning it to the position it was earlier on.
Why is Xfinity Home Security Motion Sensor Not Working?
Xfinity Motion Sensors also fail at times. In this segment, find out some common problems to expect when using Xfinity motion sensors and the possible fixes.
How to Test Xfinity Home Security Motion Sensors
Like door/window sensors, motion sensors should also be tested from time to time or when you suspect that they aren’t sensing motion.
Here is a guide to help you test your Xfinity motion sensors.
Step 1: Disarm the Xfinity Home Security system.
Step 2: Bypass Motion Sensor on the Touchscreen.
Step 3: Prevent movement from the sensor’s coverage for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Move to the sensor’s front and check whether or not the motion was detected on the Home app.
If motion was detected on the app, your sensor is working just fine.
How to Fix Xfinity Home Security Motion Sensor
Below is a troubleshooting guide highlighting all the common problems associated with Xfinity Motion Sensors not working and the possible solutions.
1. Motion Sensor Battery is Low
Just like with door/window sensors, motion sensors can malfunction when their battery is worn out.
So here again, you will have to replace the battery. The procedure for replacing the Xfinity motion sensor battery varies from one model to another, but it’s an easy DIY task.
2. Sensor Detects Motion When There’s None
If you’ve just installed the sensor and it detects motion when there’s none, the problem is with the installation. Make sure to install it correctly, as stipulated in the installation manual.
3. Touchscreen Displays a ‘Communication Lost’ Error
Motion sensors may also trigger a ‘Communication Lost’ error message on the touchscreen.
The fix could be restarting the sensor and replacing the battery if you have not moved the touchscreen lately. But if you have, return the hub/touchscreen to its original position.
4. Touchscreen Shows a Tamper Message
Motion sensors can also trigger tamper messages on the touchscreen. Check whether the sensor’s battery cover is closed correctly. If it is intact, change the battery.
Further Help
The above are some common problems that could cause your Xfinity sensors to fail and instructions on how to solve them.
However, if you are still experiencing problems with your Xfinity sensors not working, below are some other places to get help.
- Talk to Xfinity customer support on the telephone.
- Chat with Xfinity Assistant.
- Visit the Xfinity Home Support page.
The problem of Xfinity Home Security Door Sensor not working or malfunctioning can be caused by several factors. It could be a simple problem that needs the restarting of the sensor, replacing the sensor’s battery, or reinstalling the sensors correctly.
In some cases, the sensors could be needing servicing or replacement.
Read Next: How To Reset Xfinity Home Security Touch Screen?
Wrapping Up
There you have it, folks, a detailed Xfinity sensor troubleshooting guide highlighting common causes for an Xfinity Home Security door sensor not working or Xfinity motion sensor not working, and the possible fixes.
There’s no need to call a professional; you can sort it out yourself!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.