It can drive you to distraction, the constant unexplainable beeping of an electric smoke detector. This is a guide about troubleshooting ideas when an electric smoke detector won't stop beeping.
My smoke alarm keeps beeping every 20 seconds. The battery cannot be changed for life of product. I have blown it out, but it still beeps, what more can I do?
By Rick from Wales, UK
By TXBetty04/29/2011I've never had any luck with the cheap smoke detectors. First place the battery is nearly impossible to put in. I just bought a new one a few months ago and had to take it down because of the chirping. I finally got a new battery in and it still chirps. Someone at the fire department told me they get dust in them. I blew the darned thing out and it still chirps. I'm going to get one of them that is a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector together that plugs into the electrical outlet.
I have detached the smoke detector from the ceiling electrical contact, but the chirping continues without stopping.
By Andri from San Diego, CA
By Karen (Guest Post)01/07/2009Here is some detailed help for those of us who are "mechanically challenged."
First, check your carbon monoxide (CO2) detector, if you have one, to make sure it is not the one beeping. (If it is, open windows to air out the house and get some help to fix the problem.)
Second, make sure the temperature in your home is within the tolerable range for your detector. (Mine has to be above 40 degrees F, and below 100 degrees.)
Third, change the battery. (Some steps below may not apply to your smoke detector, but hopefully this list will help anyway.)
How to change the battery:
Look where the alarm is attached to the wall, and remove the little plastic "stick" that is stopping the alarm from being turned, if present. (Mine had one in a slot on the right side. It just pulled off.)
Turn alarm in the direction of the arrows on the front of smoke detector. (Mine only turned a tiny bit, clockwise, then I had to pull the alarm straight away from the wall.)
It may be connected still by wires to the wall (or to a hole in the wall actually.) Squeeze both sides of the plastic piece where the wires come out of the back of the alarm and pull straight away from the alarm to remove the plastic "plug" holding the wires.
Now, hopefully, you can open the battery door to change the battery. My battery compartment had a piece of plastic (like a stick) on a spring that popped up when battery was removed. I had to push the plastic stick down into the battery compartment, then push the new battery on top of it so the battery door would close.
If it still beeps after you change the battery, try flipping the battery over. If it still beeps, try a different, new battery, and try it flipped over if needed.
If it still beeps then you may have to buy a can of compressed air to blow the dust out, OR buy a new smoke detector, whichever is cheaper/easier.
I hope this helps others to avoid the hassle I had to figure out how to change the stupid battery. Mine is still beeping so I'll try the compressed air or buy a new smoke detector once it is daylight.
By Redbeard12/27/2008There are two "types" of smoke detectors. One type detects smoke and the other type "sees" fire. Either of these 2 units do not have a long life span only about 5-7 years. Just because the smoke detectors "beeps" does NOT prove the smoke detectors are in functioning order. The only way to test the smoke detectors is going outside and lighting a fire (log, newspaper etc.) away from any buildings and then slowing bring the smoke detector near the smoke and flame to hear if the smoke detector alarms. If no alarm sounds the smoke detector must be thrown away and a new one purchased, usually less than $10.00. More than 5,000 people die each year in house fires, most could be avoided if the smoke detector worked. PLEASE check all of the detectors in our house. Your life is worth more than a few bucks.
P.S. Where is your fire extinguisher? It should be placed near the exit of your house or work. NOT IN THE KITCHEN! If the fire is in the kitchen how would you reach the fire extinguisher? As you are exiting the building and the fire extinguisher is near the exit and you believe you can put the fire out then use the fire extinguisher at hand. Remember this acronym - PPS Pull the pin, Point the nozzle, Pull the handle, Sweep the base of the fire. If the fire is not contained get the heck out of the building, NOTHING in the building is worth your life.
I have a hard wired smoke detector with battery backup. It starts beeping (not loud and not the same sound as the fire detector sound) every 24 hours. It goes on for about 30 beeps. Anyone know what's going on with it?
By Dave
By gardendreamer06/06/2012Try changing the backup batteries. They are probably nearly dead and the beeping is the warning to change them.
I have an alarm that beeps; are all the alarms on the same system? When one battery is dead does it effect the other alarms? Do you need to change them every year as you do non electric alarms?
By Gerry T.
By Macie401/11/2012I had that happen to me and it was driving me crazy. I finally went out and bought all new ones and replaced them. Bingo no more beeping. Good luck
I changed the heat detector batteries located in my garage. My smoke alarms in the house have been going off ever since. I now have changed all the batteries in all the smoke alarms and yet, one keeps chirping about every minute and a half.
By Glenn O.
By rasta11/14/2012We had the same problem and it was the unit. We just replaced all of them as a precaution. No more chirping.
Do all hard wired smoke detectors have batteries? Mine was chirping on and off and when I went up to open and see there was no battery. Is that normal?
By Elly
By dakota127511/10/2011If you don't have a user manual, use the manufacturer and model number. Go online and search their web site to see if/where the battery is. Also there may be a help line you can call.
I was getting ready for work this morning when all of the sudden I hear this long continuous beep coming from my smoke alarm. I opened it up, there were no batteries, and it was still making this noise. So I thought that maybe there could be a back up battery or something, so I unhooked it and disconnected it entirely, but it still was making the noise! It seemed to be coming from the ceiling. And it's still doing it as I type! Can some one help me figure out how to stop this before I go absolutely insane?
By LET
By dph5411/02/2011The alarm system is probably wired through the house, and your other alarms may be going off.
I have a model 9120B smoke alarm. It chirps about every 1 to 2 hours apart. I have replaced the batteries, checked connections, and even unplugged it from the wall. I took the batteries out and it still chirps. Do you know what's up?
By Anthony from Blairsville, GA
By muttmom01/12/2012Our volunteer fire department has suggested in the past that this is of ten because it needs vacuumed throughout the unit. Doesn't even need to look dusty or dirty. I tried it and it worked for mine. Been using the remedy ever since.
I have a beeping smoke alarm without a battery. I want it to stop beeping, what do I do? I have turned the power off and I have disconnected the plug from the back of the alarm, but it still won't stop beeping. What can I do?
By B C
By Tooz08/07/2012Replace that battery and hook the smoke alarm back up! It is so sad to hear of all the folks who die or are seriously hurt in fires where smoke alarms had no batteries!
By muttmom08/07/2012Fixed the same problem thanks to my volunteer fireman neighbor. Vacuum the works. It probably does not even look like it needs it. New battery and you should be rid of the problem.
My combination ionization/photoelectric smoke detector keeps going off, as if we have a fire, but there is no smoke?
By Debra
When you have put new batteries in your electric smoke alarms and they won't quit beeping who do you call for a problem like this? Or what can you do?
By Lynda from Bloomington, IN
By meoowmom04/08/2011My friend had that problem and had to call fire dept hers just went off in middle of the night it turned out it was the wiring, it did take the fireman quite a bit of time to figure that out and they said they learned from coming out to her home.
Good luck to you.
My smoke detectors are OK on battery back-up, but when I turn the power back on they start beeping non stop. I keep the breaker off but need to fix this soon. Any ideas? Thanks.
By Manuel
By dreamwvr07/10/2011You need to replace the smoke detectors. Even though they are hard wired in, they need to be replaced. Keep yourself safe and do this soon.
I know this sounds strange. We have electric smoke detectors. Are there batteries in them also? We have one that has started beeping and we can't stop it. Is there a battery in it or do we simply have to replace it? We have lived here 2 years (new) all the other batteries are OK. Our old house had electric smoke detectors and they never went bad. We lived there 15 years.
By Barb
By frugalsunnie09/20/2011Sounds like there is a short somewhere. You need to contact a licensed electrician-he/she will have the tools and training to track down your problem. Do it as soon as you can because this could be a fire hazard; if you are on a very tight budget you can call the local fire department non-emergency number and ask if they know of any programmes in your area to help you.
I recently changed the batteries in 3 hard wired smoke detectors. After about 1 day (happened twice) they all go off at the same time. Any advise please? By the way I tried holding the test button down with the batteries out but no luck.
By Chuck
By zoodad07/19/2011Most hardwired smoke detectors have a signal wire which tells all to sound when one goes off. I would take one out at a time, they usually twist on their base and have a plug in connector. When you find which is causing the problem you will probably need to replace it with the same or a compatible model. The other possibility is that when you changed the battery you dislodged some dirt which worked its way into the sensing chamber and causes the false alarm. Gently vacuuming out the detectors may solve the problem.
There's about 6 fire alarms in my house. One alarm started going off then, all the other ones went off for about 30min. Finally it all stopped, but then started again. Now that all the beeping stopped, one continues to beep every minute.
I have an Ei154TL heat detector that won't stop beeping. Why is this, when it's powered by the main as well?
By Rachel
By Indianone10/27/2011I would check to see if the heater has a battery or not as that is what is most always the problem with detectors beeping for apparently no reason. Even if it is hooked up to main, it just might have a battery. (?) Or google for "heat detector beeping" & check out those links. Good luck! Definitely not something to ignore, I would think.
My smoke alarms started chirping. After trying everything suggested we finally replaced all of them with new units and they are still chirping! The connections are all tight, the batteries and smoke detectors are all new. What else could it be?
By Rick
By Anonymous08/14/2012Since they are brand new and if they came with a new backup battery then it's time to call an electrician because your home probably is having an electrical power surge problem.
What gives with these devices, mine just keeps beeping no matter what I do. I have changed the battery and blown it out. Can someone please assist me? I have gone crazy due to beeping sensations.
By Errol F.
By LI Roe12/04/2012It is possible you may need to replace your detectors. If changing batteries doesn't work and they are more than a few years old, they need to be replaced.
My hardwired smoke detector keeps beeping. I tried turning off all breakers, but it still beeps. I tried vacuuming the unit and wiping, that didn't help. It beeps about every 60 seconds. I disconnected the detector from the wiring, but it still beeps from the hardwired sensor. How can I get it to stop?
By Wayne L
By Lamico05/16/2011Some hard wired smoke detectors have a battery in them for back up if there is a power failure. If the battery is running low the smoke detector will start making a chirping sound just as you described.
Our electronic smoke detectors are going off during the night hours. This has happened last night 3 times. It is a warning beep because of a low battery. Does anybody know anything about this?
By Mark from Stafford, VA
By swtbaby28906/29/2011Is your smoke detector also a carbon monoxide detector? I know with our smoke detectors the beep for a low battery is different than a beep for an alarm. My mother-in-law had a man come out for her stove and he said she had a severe gas leak, but nobody could smell it, but him, so it might be that and you just can't smell it.
I recently purchased a home which was built in 2003. When I moved in I was informed by my neighbors that my smoke alarms were going off. They had to contact my realtor to have them removed. Now that I am here, I replaced all the batteries in the smoke detectors and checked them for proper operation. The problem comes when I install them and plug them into the power plug. They begin to alarm and only stop after I remove them from the power plug.
What do you believe the problem is and what do you recommend to correct it?
Thanks,
Jay from Lehigh Acres FL
By Connie A.
By Roberta
My smoke alarm won't stop beeping. One alarm started to beep, I replaced the battery, then another started. I have 5, replaced all with new batteries, still beeped (about once every minute). Replaced all the alarms, still beeps, disconnected all alarms, the house still beeps. Would there be a relay, and where can I find it. Help my family is going crazy, it's been 3 days.
Kat from Seattle, WA
By Deb in AZ
By KJ
By ~Me*
By Alec Karys
About a year ago we had a severe storm that tore a 20 ft hole in our roof. Contractors came out, and repaired the roof, drywall, and paint. Now it's as good as new. Fast forward to yesterday I'm on the computer working and my hard wired smoke detectors all start going off. I quickly ran through the house checking for fire/smoke, thankfully I found nothing. I then contemplated one of the batteries went dead so I pull all the batteries, still no luck.
Next, I went to the circuit breaker box and selected multiple GFI breakers to off position. After waiting a few minutes I switched back on the breakers and they started going off again. Being it was late on Saturday and we were not in danger of a fire I decided I would research further and possible call an electrician for Monday.
After searching the internet on this subject I've come up with the following repair opportunities:
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Oh yes, I'm not sure if the home damage occurring is relative, I personally don't believe so or I would have had an issue before now. Thank you.
Sstchester from Haslet, TX
By Julie
By Shosha
By Debbie52
By susanmajp
I have a hard wired smoke detector system with individual battery backup. My system started single chirps every 30 seconds 3 days ago. I changed all batteries in all smoke detectors in the system, still chirps. I had an electrician come by today and he does not know what the problem is either.
The chirp only comes from the master bedroom and disconnecting the bedroom detector physically and electrically does not stop the chirp. A physical inventory of the attic above the bedroom reveals "no" box, etc. that could cause the chirp. I'm lost, need help.
Mike from Garland, TX
By michawnpita
By thriftmeg
By Mandy
Muffle the detector by hand. Does beeping muffle? If so, it is the detector at fault, you must have the battery in place still, follow the advice by other posters. If not, it's not this detector. It's a nearby CO detector or other nearby smoke detector. This sound is hard to localize. Maybe an old detector lying in a drawer, that you have since replaced, but still has a battery in it? (01/13/2009)
By liv4shoes
So I simply took a letter opener (or pen, screw driver, whatever), and slightly bent/pulled out each of the two metal connector plates. These had been pressed down flat over time, and the battery leads were barely touching them. As soon as I pulled them out, when I reinstalled the battery it was in really tight and the leads made a solid connection with the connector plates -viola- the chirping stopped and my problem was solved. Hope this helps. (10/07/2009)
By LisaLG
I have a two story house and my smoke detectors are chirping every 5 seconds. I tried looking for the back up power source and I could not find one. If someone could help that would be perfect.
By wpeakso
By Ginnywest
The moral of the story: if you push the "hush" button, you may have to "test" the smoke alarm before it will stop chirping again. Hope this helps someone. (06/22/2010)
By ahawtho
We have hard wired smoke detectors. Last night one of them started chirping and today we installed a new one.
I have 5 electric smoke alarms in my house and one will not stop beeping. I can't find a reset button, what do I do?
My smoke alarm beeps every couple of minutes. I've mentioned to my husband it's the battery, it needs to be switched! He argues with me, and says,"that's not the problem."
How about this for a smoke alarm that won't stop beeping. Batteries changed, all four alarms disconnected and placed in the truck outside, and the hard wired alarm still beeped every few minutes. Then I vacuumed out all four alarms....
My smoke detector keeps going off even after I have turned it off at the main, removed the battery, switched it back on, and pressed the reset button. What can I do now?
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Electric Smoke Detector Won't Stop Beeping