If your Qolsys system will not arm because a door, window, or other burglary sensor is open or experiencing a problem, you may be able to temporarily bypass that sensor and arm the rest of the system.
Bypassing means the selected sensor will not provide protection while it is bypassed.
These instructions apply generally to:
The appearance of the screen may vary depending on the panel model and software version.
First determine why the sensor is showing open.
If it is a door or window:
If the sensor returns to normal, you should not need to bypass it.
On Qolsys touchscreen panels, begin the normal arming process.
Qolsys documentation for the IQ Panel 4 specifically provides a sensor list during arming and allows a sensor to be bypassed by selecting the circle beside it.
The IQ Panel 2 family uses a similar touchscreen arming process.
When arming, open or active sensors are displayed so they can be identified before the system is armed.
Select the sensor that needs to be bypassed, then continue with the appropriate arming mode.
Some IQ Panel 2/2+ systems may also be configured for Auto Bypass, which allows the panel to automatically bypass certain open or tampered sensors during arming. Qolsys identifies Auto Bypass as a configurable security and arming setting on the IQ Panel 2 family.
On the IQ Panel 4:
The panel's arming screen can display either active sensors or all sensors, depending on the selected view.
The IQ Panel 5 continues the Qolsys touchscreen-style security interface, but menu appearance and available options can depend on the installed software and system configuration.
If the IQ Panel 5 displays an open sensor during arming, use the displayed sensor/bypass option associated with that sensor before completing the arming process.
If the expected bypass option is not available, do not attempt to enter installer programming. Contact CommTech Systems for assistance.
A bypassed burglary sensor is temporarily excluded from the armed security system.
For example:
If the Back Door sensor is bypassed, opening that door will generally not cause that sensor to generate a burglary alarm while it remains bypassed.
The remainder of the system can still be armed.
For this reason, only bypass a sensor when you understand which area will no longer be protected.
A bypass is generally intended as a temporary solution, not a repair.
For example, if a window sensor has failed and you bypass it so you can arm the rest of the house overnight, the sensor should still be repaired.
After the system is disarmed, verify the sensor's condition before the next arming.
Do not use bypassing as a routine workaround for trouble involving:
If a life-safety device is reporting trouble, contact CommTech Systems so the condition can be properly diagnosed.
If several sensors suddenly show open or unavailable at the same time, do not immediately bypass all of them.
Multiple simultaneous sensor problems may indicate another issue, such as:
Contact CommTech Systems if multiple normally working sensors suddenly develop trouble.
If the panel continues showing a door or window open when it is physically closed, possible causes include:
The sensor can potentially be bypassed temporarily so the remainder of the system can be armed, but the underlying problem should be corrected.
Some Qolsys systems can be configured with Auto Bypass.
When enabled, the panel may allow an open burglary sensor to be temporarily bypassed as part of the arming process rather than requiring the user to manually select every open sensor. Qolsys documents Auto Bypass as an arming configuration option on supported panels.
Always review what the panel is bypassing before completing the arming process.
If the panel displays a zone or sensor name you do not recognize, do not bypass it simply to make the system arm.
The sensor could protect an area you are unaware of.
Contact CommTech Systems if you need help identifying the zone.
Contact CommTech Systems if:
When requesting assistance, provide:
Do not provide your alarm code or other security credentials through the support chatbot.