Pair and install Xfinity Home door/window sensors — Self Protection

Set up sensors to keep an eye on your home, wherever you are. This article provides step-by-step instructions to pair, install, and test Xfinity Home door/window sensors. The setup typically takes a few minutes per sensor.

Get a pro to do it! If you subscribe to Xfinity Home Self Protection, you can reach out to HelloTech for professional installation.

What you'll need

• Access to the Xfinity app
• Active Self Protection service
• Compatible gateway (XB6 or newer)
• All parts in the Getting Started kit:
  
  • Door/window sensor and preinstalled batteries (one)
  • Double-sided tape (two)
  • Mounting spacers (three)
  • Double-sided tape (three)
    
    

Difficulty

Easy

Time needed

About 10–15 minutes

Before you begin

• Ensure you’re using the latest version of the Xfinity app.
• Gather all the sensors near the gateway for the best pairing connection.

Pair your sensor using the Xfinity app

1. Sign in to the Xfinity app.
2. Select Security, then Add equipment.
3. Select the Set up sensors button and then Get Started to begin.
   • Your gateway will then be prepared to be paired with your sensors.
   • The Xfinity app will then prompt you to bring all the sensors you’d like to activate near the gateway for the best pairing connection.
4. Select Begin pairing sensors.
5. Remove activation strips to allow the sensors to pair.
6. Remove or slide down the battery cover to remove the strip.
   • Lights should begin blinking.
7. Select Next.
8. The Xfinity app will now scan for the sensors.
   • Wait until all the sensors you are trying to pair appear in the Xfinity app.
   • This should not take longer than three minutes.
9. Once all the sensors appear, the Xfinity app will walk you through the installation process for each sensor.

Install your door/window sensor

Note: Your sensor should be paired prior to installation. Refer to the above steps if you have not yet paired the device.

1. Choose any door or window sensor and verify that it’s working by attaching the sensor and magnet together, and then separating them.
   • The status in the Xfinity app should change from Closed to Open. 
2. Select Begin installation.
3. Check for proper sensor placement before continuing.
   
   • The sensor is the larger part, best placed on the door/window frame next to the magnet.
   • The magnet is the smaller part, best placed on the edge of the door/window itself, aligned with the sensor.
   • Select Next.
4. Use the double-sided tape to place the sensor on the frame.
   • Press firmly and hold in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond.
5. Select Next.
6. Install the magnet so it aligns with the sensor when the door or window is closed.
   • They should be less than ¼ inch (5 cm) apart.
   • Add mounting spacers to the magnet if needed for alignment.
   • Use the double-sided tape and press firmly to ensure a strong bond.
7. Close the door or window and get ready to test the sensor.
   • Testing ensures the sensor has a good connection to your Xfinity Gateway and is working correctly.
8. Select Begin sensor test.
9. Open and close the door or window, then wait for test confirmation.
   • It may take up to three minutes for the test to register and confirm the sensor is working.
10. The Xfinity app will let you know if the test was successful. Select Continue.
11. The Xfinity app will prompt you to add a name and location for your sensor. Tap Done when finished.
12. If you have additional sensors to install, the Xfinity app will prompt you to go through the installation steps again for each device.
13. You’re all set! When all sensors have been installed, you can choose to create rules and schedules, and sync your sensors with other connected devices to get real time-alerts.

Troubleshooting

Locate and remove the activation strip

The activation strip is a plastic tab beneath the battery cover of the sensor. Pull the strip. The light should blink until pairing is complete.

If pairing is unsuccessful after a few minutes, the sensor will go to sleep and no longer appear as paired. Close this screen and refer to the Strip missing or sensor not appearing instructions below to restart the pairing process.

Strip missing or sensor not appearing

First make sure the sensor is near the gateway for the best pairing connection, then:

• A: Start the pairing process by separating the magnet from the sensor, or
• B: Slide the battery cover fully open then closed. The light will blink until pairing is complete.
  
  

If the light doesn't go on, you may need to replace the battery or reset the sensor back to factory settings.

Reset the sensor back to factory settings

1. Slide the battery cover open to expose the plastic press tab.
2. Press the tab and continue sliding until you expose the RESET.
3. Remove the battery, wait 15 seconds, and reinsert it.
4. The light should go solid green.
5. Close the battery cover about halfway until RESET is no longer visible.
   • Do not fully close the cover.
6. The light should remain solid green for about one minute.
   • If it doesn’t, repeat the prior steps.
7. Now slide the cover fully closed. The light will blink until pairing is complete.
   
   

Identify which door/window sensors have paired

1. Separate the magnet from the sensor side to manually trip each sensor. The status under the sensor names should change from Closed to Open, and vice versa.
2. Place successfully paired sensors aside.
3. If any sensor’s status won’t change, check the other Help options to make sure it’s paired.
   • If the issue persists, try factory resetting the sensor.
   • Alternatively, continue through installation for successfully paired sensors and try troubleshooting other sensors later.

Remove your door/window sensor

To remove your door/window sensor:

1. Sign in to the Xfinity app.
2. Select Security, then select the sensor you’d like to remove.
3. Select the Gear icon in the upper-right corner.
4. Select Remove this device.