Troubleshooting SimpliSafe Doorbell Yellow Light (Easy Fix)

The SimpliSafe doorbell yellow light might seem like nothing to worry about initially, but it’s telling you something important. 

A solid, yellow light on your doorbell means that the device is currently booting up the system.

Each time the doorbell is powered off and turned on again, the yellow LED will remain for about 30–40 seconds, until the doorbell starts up successfully.

Whenever the LED stays yellow for any longer than 2–3 minutes, it almost certainly means that the doorbell is stuck in a reboot loop.

Here’s what could cause it:

• An issue with the doorbell system
• A power with the electrical supply
• An issue with the unit’s installation

Don’t worry–in most cases, this can be resolved in minutes!

How to Fix the Constant SimpliSafe Doorbell Yellow Light?

Notice: The SimpliSafe doorbell requires an existing doorbell system to be set up.

1. Set up the Doorbell Initially

Well, not setting up the doorbell or forfeiting installation halfway could prevent the doorbell from finalizing the boot sequence.

The problem will be indicated via the solid/flashing yellow light on the faceplate, so the first step is to set up the device from scratch.

How to Remove an Existing Profile?

1. Open the SimpliSafe app and go to the main menu.
2. Tap on “My System” then “Camera/Device Settings”.
3. Tap on your SimpliSafe doorbell’s dashboard below.
4. Scroll to the bottom and press on “Remove Device”.

How to Add SimpliSafe to the App?

1. Open the SimpliSafe app and go to the homepage.
2. Select “Cameras” at the bottom of the app’s home.
3. Tap on “Set up a Camera” from the on-screen tab.
4. Follow the app’s instructions to set up the doorbell.

Warning: Erasing the SimpliSafe doorbell profile will erase all configured settings and options! 

2. Reset the Circuit Breaker

Typically, all doorbell systems are separated from the main power line of the “room” they are in and connected to the circuit breaker through a different switch.

Your doorbell’s power line goes through the doorbell itself, then connects with the chime system and ends at the breaker panel.

Hence, the startup failure could indicate an issue with the mains of the circuit breaker, so it’s recommended to perform a reset.

How to Identify SimpliSafe’s Power Line?

The first step is to locate the circuit breaker box in your home! It often tends to be on the external part of your property or in the basement/ garage.

Once you’ve found the panel, check whether it needs a key. Search for a switch that says “Doorbell”, “Ringing”, “Doorbell system” or something similar.

Pushing that switch towards the “Off” suspends the electricity of your doorbell system, including your SimpliSafe unit. 

How to Reset the Doorbell Power Line?

Once you’ve found the switch for your doorbell’s power line, slowly push it towards the “Off” side and wait for 20–30 seconds while the electricity is disabled.

Then, push the switch back to “On” and wait for the SimpliSafe doorbell to start up shortly after.

3. Check the Terminal Wiring

The SimpliSafe doorbell’s installation is as easy as it gets–place the mounting plate and tighten the wires of your chime system around the terminal nodes.

However, overtightening the mounting plate or not securing the wires properly could prevent the doorbell from starting up.

Here’s how to access and inspect SimpliSafe’s wiring:

1. Loosen the SimpliSafe’s security screw using a Torx.
2. Carefully detach and remove the doorbell faceplate.
3. Loosen the mounting plate of the SimpliSafe doorbell.
4. Now, gently pull out the mounting bracket from the wall.
5. Locate the terminal wiring around the mounting bracket.
6. Next, ensure both of the wires are secured to the nodes.

There isn’t much difficulty in setting up the doorbell, except for securing the doorbell system’s wires to the terminals of the doorbell’s mounting bracket.

If necessary, expose the copper from the doorbell wires by an inch or two to have enough for wrapping allowance and secure them.

Alert: Deactivate the system’s power supply before working on the terminal wiring.

4. Change SimpliSafe’s Wi-Fi

Establishing a Wi-Fi connection is an essential step of the doorbell’s booting process, so the SimpliSafe doorbell camera’s yellow light may be reception-related.

If the doorbell can’t connect, the device won’t be able to turn on all services, hence the yellow light will remain indefinitely.

We recommend changing the Wi-Fi of your SimpliSafe doorbell, in case the device fails to establish a connection to your network. 

How to Troubleshoot SimpliSafe Wi-Fi Issues?

#1. Allow Location Access:

The doorbell and app need consistent information about your current location. So, open the “Settings” app on your Android or iPhone, then access the configuration panel of the SimpliSafe app to allow location sharing.

#2. Reduce the Utilization:

Reduce the network’s bandwidth consumption by disconnecting devices you no longer (or rarely) use and temporarily ceasing downloading, uploading, and seeding.

#3. Hard Reset the Router:

Proceed with a hard reset of the network router. Unplug the adapter from the back of the unit, wait for approximately 60 seconds, and reconnect the power cable back into the power supply. 

#4. Test on Mobile Hotspot:

Activate your smartphone’s hotspot feature and check the SSID and password. Then, follow the instructions in step #4 to change the Wi-Fi of your doorbell to the hotspot of your mobile. 

How to Change Wi-Fi On SimpliSafe Doorbell?

1. Open your app and navigate to the “Cameras” tab.
2. Press the gear icon found in the upper-right corner.
3. Once in “Camera Settings”, press on your doorbell.
4. Scroll to “Wi-Fi Network” and tap “Change Network”.
5. Connect the doorbell to a compatible 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

Tip: You can change the Wi-Fi of your base station at SimpliSafe app → Base Station settings → “WiFi Network” → “Choose Another Network” → “Connect”.

5. Set Up the Base Station’s Chime

The yellow light could be caused because the SimpliSafe doorbell cannot enable the link to your chime.

With SimpliSafe, you don’t have to rely on your mechanical or digital chime output, if you have a base station. 

Although the base station accessory is optional, it is required for most of your doorbell functions and any other SimpliSafe devices you may have.

So, allowing the chime of your base station to sound a ringer each time someone presses your doorbell is a good way to fix the yellow light.

Here’s how to activate the SimpliSafe base station’s chime:

1. Open the SimpliSafe Home Security application.
2. Tap on the hamburger menu in the upper corner.
3. Navigate to “My System”, then “Camera Settings”.
4. Scroll down and tap on your SimpliSafe doorbell.
5. Search for the “Base Station Chime” option below.
6. Now, tap the option and follow the on-screen steps.

As long as the base station is powered on and connected to the Wi-Fi, a press on your doorbell will sound the base station as well.

Remember that activating this feature will not suppress your digital or mechanical chime.

Quick Tip: It’s recommended to use the base station ringer if there’s a fault with your chime.

6. Reinstall the SimpliSafe App

If you’re still having issues with the yellow indicator on your doorbell, there’s probably a fault with the SimpliSafe app.

If that’s the case, we recommend a clean reinstallation of the app on your smartphone and setup from scratch.

• If you’re on Android, press and hold the app for 2–3 seconds until the options appear, and press on “Remove/Uninstall app”.
• If you’re on an iPhone, hold the app for 1–2 seconds and select “Remove this app” from the options menu.

Now, use the Google Play or App Store to download the SimpliSafe Home Security app, sign back into your account and re-add the doorbell.

Warning: Uninstalling the SimpliSafe app erases the profile of your doorbell and base station! 

7. Recover the Doorbell’s OS

The SimpliSafe doorbell might have run into a fault as a result of an OS problem.

The factory reset is a consistent solution for all types of software or configuration issues with the product, including the persistent yellow light.

Here’s how to factory reset the doorbell’s OS in easy steps:

1. Use a Torx screwdriver to loosen the security screw.
2. Take out the security screw and remove the faceplate.
3. Locate the “RESET” button on the rear of the doorbell.
4. Hold the button for about 15 seconds to start the reset.
5. Wait until the doorbell powers off and produces a chirp.
6. After ~30 seconds, place the faceplate on and tighten it.
7. Wait until the product starts up and check the indicator.

Note: The indicator may be initially on for the first 20–30 seconds, but if the doorbell starts up successfully, there should be a steady blue light around the “RING” button. 

8. Consult for a Wiring Problem

There’s only one remaining possibility for the SimpliSafe doorbell yellow light–an issue with the doorbell’s wiring installation. 

Unfortunately, inspecting your system’s wiring by yourself requires more technical expertise than you may think, and can be dangerous.

Warning: Always disable the power from the circuit breaker before interacting with the wiring!

Here’s what you should check for:

• Interrupted wiring
• Burnt spots/odor
• Missing terminals
• Loose wiring
• Blown fuse

If you have no technical expertise, it’s best to reach out to a qualified technician or a friend who has a strong understanding of doorbell installations. 

Note: We recommend speaking with SimpliSafe’s customer support and opt-in for a doorbell replacement, especially if your warranty is intact.