Qolsys IQ 4 with Power G sensors showing windows and doors open

Security Components Forum Door & Window Sensors
1

I recently installed a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 with Power G sensors, and I’m self-monitoring through alarm.com via alarmsystemstore.com. All the sensors enrolled fine, and alarm.com seems to be working through the website and app. However, almost all door and window sensors are showing as ‘open’ even though they’re actually closed.

I tried the Power G device test as recommended in this video (Settings > Advanced > System Tests > Power G), and all sensors show a strong connection. The sensors and magnets are less than 1/2 inch apart. I’ve emailed alarmsystemstore.com and hope to hear back soon, but since they’re on the East Coast and I’m on the West, they’re closed by early afternoon my time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone in advance for the help!

2

Try tampering with the sensors to re-establish the encryption key.

Edit: If you manually added them by serial number, tampering helps pass the full key instead of just the first six digits.

3

Can you post a picture of one of the sensors?

4

Carol said:
Can you post a picture of one of the sensors?

Doesn’t seem like this sub allows photos; the icon isn’t showing on my iPad or iPhone.

5

Simple question: do you have the magnet on the correct side of the sensor? Look for a small nub or arrow that should align with the magnet’s center.

6

Roy said:
Simple question: do you have the magnet on the correct side of the sensor? Look for a small nub or arrow that should align with the magnet’s center.

Very possible. That info wasn’t in the instructions. I’ll check.

7

@Clyde
Option A: The magnet might be on the wrong side. Option B: During setup, you might’ve chosen TERMINALS instead of REED switch for the sensor input if you have the larger Power G sensors with screws. The slimmer ones don’t have terminals.

8

@Roy
It didn’t ask me to choose terminals or reed when enrolling.

9

Clyde said:
@Roy
It didn’t ask me to choose terminals or reed when enrolling.

Then you probably have the slim sensors. My guess is it’s the magnet placement.

10

Roy said:

Clyde said:
@Roy
It didn’t ask me to choose terminals or reed when enrolling.

Then you probably have the slim sensors. My guess is it’s the magnet placement.

How can I tell which side is correct? I’ve checked the PDF instructions and searched online but haven’t found anything. Thanks!

11

@Clyde
Try feeling for any lines or small ridges on the sensor’s side. That should be the side closest to the magnet.

12

Roy said:
@Clyde
Try feeling for any lines or small ridges on the sensor’s side. That should be the side closest to the magnet.

I didn’t feel a ridge, but I noticed the sensors that worked had part of the label near the magnet. I reoriented one, removed it from the system, took out the battery, then re-added it with the label side facing the magnet. It still shows as ‘open.’

13

@Clyde
Could you share some pictures? If you can’t add them here, feel free to send them to me.

14

@Roy
I tried again after rebooting the system, and it showed ‘sensor added successfully’ but now says ‘sensor not connected.’

15

Each sensor should flash green three times when opening or closing. Which model are you using?

16

Brent said:
Each sensor should flash green three times when opening or closing. Which model are you using?

They’re DSC PG 9303 sensors.

17

Clyde said:

Brent said:
Each sensor should flash green three times when opening or closing. Which model are you using?

They’re DSC PG 9303 sensors.

Yes, as mentioned, there should be a tiny bump or line on the side that needs to face the magnet.

18

Update: Fixed! Huge thanks to everyone, especially u/Brglotuselise for the additional help. Here’s what I did in case others have a similar issue:

The problem was that the non-working sensors were not oriented correctly. Eventually, I found the small ridge on the correct side, but the easiest way to tell is if the label is slightly wrapped over the edge on the side that faces the magnet. After repositioning them, some sensors showed as disconnected or still open.

To fix this, I opened up each sensor, removed the battery to trigger a tamper, then put it back together and repositioned it. A few still didn’t work because the sensor and magnet were too far apart, so I moved them as close as possible (had to mount some sensors on the metal window frame instead of wood). You need to hold each sensor close to the magnet until you see three green blinks, then it should be good. Thanks again to everyone for the help!