If your Qolsys system arms successfully but goes into alarm shortly afterward, first identify which sensor caused the alarm.
These instructions apply generally to:
An alarm shortly after arming can be caused by an open or unstable sensor, movement detected inside the property, an entry or exit issue, or a sensor problem.
Do not assume an alarm is false simply because it occurred shortly after arming.
If there may be an actual burglary, fire, carbon monoxide event, or other emergency:
Only troubleshoot the system after determining it is safe to do so.
Check the Qolsys panel or Alarm.com event history for the sensor associated with the alarm.
Examples might include:
Write down the exact sensor name.
This is one of the most important pieces of information for determining what happened.
If the alarm happens while you are leaving after arming Away, consider the exit sequence.
Make sure:
If you need to return inside after arming, disarm the system normally before moving through the protected area.
If the alarm involves the door you used to leave, check whether it closes and latches completely.
Look for:
Watch the sensor status on the Qolsys panel while opening and closing the door.
A door sensor can sometimes appear Closed and then change state because of movement or alignment problems.
Possible causes include:
If pushing or pulling on the closed door changes its status on the panel, contact CommTech Systems.
If a motion detector causes the alarm shortly after arming Away, consider whether anyone or anything remained inside.
Possible causes include:
Record the exact motion detector name and the approximate time of the alarm.
Some motion detectors and installations are designed to reduce alarms caused by pets under certain conditions.
This does not mean every pet will always be ignored.
Pet-related performance can depend on:
If a motion detector repeatedly causes alarms while pets are inside, contact CommTech Systems.
Arm Stay is normally used when people remain inside the property.
If normal movement inside repeatedly causes an interior motion alarm while the system is armed Stay, record the sensor name and contact CommTech Systems.
Do not permanently bypass the sensor as a workaround.
If a window sensor causes the alarm:
A window can sometimes appear closed while still allowing enough movement to affect the sensor.
If a glass break detector causes an alarm, first verify there is no actual broken glass or security event.
If safe to investigate, note whether there were unusual loud noises around the time of the alarm.
Do not test the detector by breaking glass or creating random loud noises.
Repeated unexplained glass break alarms should be investigated by CommTech Systems.
If the alarm consistently occurs just after the exit countdown finishes, identify the sensor causing it.
This timing can help determine whether the issue involves:
Provide the sensor name and timing to CommTech Systems.
If the system remains armed normally for several minutes before alarming, check the event history for the exact sensor.
Also note:
If the same sensor repeatedly causes unexplained alarms, do not ignore the pattern.
Record:
Contact CommTech Systems so the sensor can be evaluated.
If different sensors begin causing unexpected alarms, check the Qolsys panel for other trouble conditions such as:
Provide CommTech Systems with the names of all affected sensors.
If the sensor that caused the alarm also reports Low Battery, the battery condition should be corrected.
Use the correct battery for the specific sensor model.
If the problem continues after battery replacement, contact CommTech Systems.
If the affected sensor reports Tamper, check whether:
If the tamper remains, contact CommTech Systems.
A sensor reporting Malfunction or Not Responding may have a battery, communication, or equipment problem.
Do not rely on a malfunctioning sensor for normal protection.
Contact CommTech Systems if the condition remains.
If unexpected alarms began after replacing a sensor battery:
Contact CommTech Systems if unexpected alarms continue.
If the system went into alarm, the monitoring center may have already received the alarm signal.
Disarming the system does not necessarily cancel an event that has already been transmitted.
Answer monitoring-center communications and follow their instructions.
Do not repeatedly arm the system and intentionally recreate the alarm to determine what happens.
This may generate additional alarm signals and could result in emergency response.
Record the information from the original event and contact CommTech Systems when appropriate.
If an ordinary burglary sensor has a known problem, the system may allow it to be temporarily bypassed.
A bypassed sensor does not provide its normal protection.
Bypassing should only be a temporary measure while the problem is being corrected.
Do not bypass a sensor you cannot identify.
Do not routinely bypass:
Contact CommTech Systems if life-safety equipment is causing a problem.
Do not delete a sensor because it caused an unexpected alarm.
This can remove intended protection from the property.
Do not factory reset the Qolsys panel because of an unexpected alarm.
The specific sensor and event should be diagnosed.
Contact CommTech Systems if:
When requesting assistance, provide:
For your security, do not provide alarm codes, passwords, or other private account credentials through the support chatbot.