SimpliSafe Doorbell Buzzing? (Here’s The Easy Fix!)

The SimpliSafe doorbell buzzing is a well-known issue in the SimpliSafe community, caused primarily by the absence of a chime connector. 

The chime connector has a built-in transformer, regulating the voltage and preventing the indoor ringer from ever producing that constant buzzing or ringing noise. 

Other causes for the fault may include doorbell wiring issues or improper chime installation.

Now, let’s have a look at common solutions for the buzzing!

How to Fix the Consistent SimpliSafe Doorbell Buzzing?

Important: First, verify that your SimpliSafe doorbell is installed correctly and free of any issues!

1. Reset the Main Circuit Breaker

Before taking drastic measures and altering the wiring installation of the SimpliSafe doorbell, it’s recommended to reset the circuit breaker.

As mentioned, the doorbell buzzing indicates a power supply insufficiency, which an unstable transformer or a defective chime could cause.

• Access the circuit breaker panel and disable the doorbell’s power for ~10–15 seconds!

If the doorbell system’s powerline is not separated from the other rooms in your home, disabling the circuit breaker’s power will cause a partial power outage. 

2. Switch to a Mechanical Chime

Another quite important factor for using the SimpliSafe doorbell is using a mechanical chime.

An incompatible chime may also prevent SimpliSafe from sending notifications, which is another reason to get this fixed as soon as possible.

Well, both the Video Doorbell Pro and the Chime Connector do not support a digital chime or the equipment that comes along with it.

Hence, the consistent buzzing issue could be a result of a compatibility fault between the digital chime and the existing wiring of the SimpliSafe doorbell.

Digital Vs. Mechanical Chime:

Here are the primary differences between a traditional digital and mechanical chime:

• Mechanical Chime: The chime’s physical bell and hammer inside produce a sound similar to “ding-dong” thanks to the moving parts inside.
• Digital Chime: The tone is produced electronically through a speaker, and there are no physical components such as a bell or a hammer.

How to Unmount a Digital Chime?

Note: Only try this if you currently have a digital chime installed!

Here are the general steps to unmount a digital chime:

Step #1 Turn OFF the Power

Start by disabling the power supply at the circuit breaker to mitigate the possibility of an electric shock or component damage.

Step #2 Remove the Faceplate

Proceed to reach the chime and remove the security screws holding the front panel, faceplate, or cover attached.

Step #3 Gentle Wiring Removal

Disconnect each of the chime’s wires that plug into the transformer (“Front” / “Trans” / “Rear”) and gently pull out the base.

Step #4 Cautious Base Removal

Once the faceplate and all wires are off, search for the screws holding the chime body attached and use a compatible screwdriver to loosen it up.

Warning: Cap the wires so you don’t have to reach within the wall to search for them.

How to Install a Mechanical Chime?

Now, follow these steps to set up your mechanical chime:

1. Secure the chime’s base next to the chime transformer.
2. Now, attach the transformer wire to the “Trans” terminal.
3. Next, connect SimpliSafe’s wire to the “Front” terminal.
4. Install the faceplate and tighten it around the base body.
5. Then, secure all of the components and test the doorbell.

Note: If the chime/doorbell is still buzzing, you certainly need a SimpliSafe Chime Connector, because the power supply is unstable. 

3. Install SimpliSafe’s Chime Connector

The guaranteed way to stop the SimpliSafe doorbell chime buzzing is by installing SimpliSafe’s Chime Connector product that’s designed to filter the transformer’s power supply. 

Well, the connector functions as an additional transformer, adjusting the 8-24VAC/10-30VA transformer’s voltage to the correct value.

The Chime Connector is either delivered with your doorbell product or you must get in touch with SimpliSafe’s support team to get one for free.

Here are the instructions to set up the connector:

1. First, take off your chime’s body and pull out the base.
2. Next, remove the “Front” and “Trans” terminal wires.
3. Clip the “Front” wire with the connector’s blue terminal.
4. Clip the “Trans” wire with the connector’s white terminal.
5. Position the connector anywhere within the chime body.
6. Put the faceplate on your doorbell and test the doorbell.

If you’ve conducted the installation properly, the buzzing of your chime and doorbell should stop immediately.

Additionally, there shouldn’t be any delay between pressing the “RING” button on the doorbell and hearing the chime’s output.

IMPORTANT: You must disable the power at the circuit breaker before working on your system!

4. Inspect the Chime’s Mechanism

A stuck chime mechanism could result in an unpleasant humming or buzzing noise whenever your SimpliSafe doorbell is pressed or detects motion.

The downside of having a mechanical chime is exactly that–the physical pieces can get easily obstructed as time passes by.

Step #1 Disable the Power

First, stop the power at the circuit breaker as you will be directly exposed to the current-voltage from the “Front” and “Trans” terminals.

Wait for at least 2 minutes until the electricity is drained entirely from the system, before disassembling the chime’s body. 

Step #2 Access the Chime

Proceed to removing the faceplate or cover of the doorbell chime and taking it off securely, after undoing all of the screws.

It is also strongly recommended to loosen the chime’s mounting base and partially pull it out, without interfering with any of the terminal wires or the Chime Connector. 

Step #3 Clean Up the Mess

Then, use a can of compressed air or a soft brush to clean the plunger, solenoid, bell, and hammer of the mechanical chime.

Those are the essential moving parts reproducing the chime noise when someone presses your SimpliSafe doorbell.

You could also lubricate the plunger using graphite powder or Teflon lubricant to minimize the friction between the components. 

Warning: Avoid using any liquids or even rubbing alcohol to clean the chime’s mechanical parts! 

5. Test & Replace the Transformer

If the SimpliSafe doorbell won’t stop ringing or buzzing even after setting up a chime connector and cleaning the mechanism, the fault is almost certainly with the transformer.

There are two possibilities when it comes to a bad transformer:

• The power supply is insufficient
• The power supply is excessive

Best Transformer for SimpliSafe Doorbell:

For your SimplySafe doorbell, Chime Connector, and chime to function properly, your system’s transformer must be a minimum of 8-24VAC & 10-30VA. 

Anything below or under that could overload/underload the system and result in this *buzzing*. 

How to Test a Doorbell Chime Transformer?

Touch the multimeter’s leads with the “Front” and “Trans” terminals of your chime’s transformer to check if there’s any value of voltage flowing through.

So, if you have a rear doorbell, you may also touch one of the leads with the “Rear” terminals for extra reading.

How to Replace a Doorbell Chime Transformer?

For the replacement, ensure you have prepared:

• A compatible transformer replacement
• A screwdriver for the chime installation
• Wire strippers to clip some of the wires
• A voltage tester or a multimeter device
• Electrical tape + wire connectors (nuts)

Now, proceed to turn off the power at the circuit breaker and follow these steps:

1. Uninstall the chime’s faceplate to expose the transformer.
2. Remove the transformer’s “Trans” and “Front” terminals.
3. Undo the bearings and screws holding the transformer.
4. Gently pull out the transformer from the back of the chime.
5. Place the new unit and partially tighten the security screws.
6. After that, connect the wires of the doorbell and the chime.
7. Resume the power supply and check if the buzzing persists.

Tip: You can also integrate a diode or a transistor to add or deduct the necessary voltage for optimal doorbell functionality. 

6. Reset the SimpliSafe Doorbell

A factory reset can resolve all types of problems with your doorbell on a software level.

All you need to do is unmount the doorbell and search for the Reset button, above the micro-USB port.

Here’s how to factory reset the SimpliSafe unit:

1. Identify the security screw on the bottom of the doorbell.
2. Next, use the supplied T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen it.
3. Detach the faceplate from the doorbell’s mounting plate.
4. Hold the “RESET” button for approximately 15 seconds.
5. Place the doorbell back on and tighten the security screw.

Note: It takes the doorbell between 40 and 60 seconds to factory reset and reboot. 

7. Replace the Mechanical Chime

If you’ve attempted all solutions so far, but the SimpliSafe doorbell buzzing is still there, then the fault could be with the mechanical chime. 

Even with an operational transformer and the Chime Connector, if you still hear buzzing, you will need a new chime for your SimpliSafe doorbell.

We recommend uninstalling the current mechanical solution following the instructions in step #2, and testing with an older unit, along with the SimpliSafe Chime Connector.

Also, if possible, borrow a compatible chime from a friend or neighbor to test the setup to narrow down the issue.

Note: If the problem persists with a fully functional chime, get in touch with SimpliSafe’s support or try to claim your warranty to get a doorbell replacement.