What does 5 beeps mean on a first alert carbon monoxide detector?

Author: Kellen Leannon  |  Last update: Monday, January 26, 2026

It is time to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector. 5 Beeps Every Minute: End of Life. This type of chirp indicates it is time to replace your carbon monoxide alarm.

Why is my First Alert beeping 5 times?

Is it a combination Smoke/CO alarm? The CO sensor may be expired. If it's 5 short beeps, that typically signifies an expired CO sensor. One beep is typically battery.

What does 5 beeps every 30 seconds mean on a carbon monoxide detector?

A CO alarm that signals that it's at the end of its life should be replaced as well. Renters should notify property managers or landlords immediately if their CO alarm is beeping every 30 seconds indicating its end-of-life. They should also know that intermittent beeping CO alarm is not reason to call 9-1-1.

Why does my alarm beep 5 times on it?

A five-beep pattern from a CO detector generally signifies that the unit is reaching the end of its service life. CO detectors have a limited lifespan, usually between 5 to 7 years, because their sensing technology degrades over time, leading to decreased reliability and effectiveness.

What do 5 short beeps on a smoke detector mean?

Quick question: my service call house today had older First Alert smoke detectors that were beeping, five little beeps in a row every minute. I found it means end-of-life signal, replace the smoke detector.

First Alert CO2 Alarm Why Is it BEEPING 5 TIMES ? SOLVED FIXED Solution ERR END 2024

What does 5 short beeps indicate?

According to Gigabyte, 5 short beeps indicate a processor error. Here is what I would do: Re-seat the CPU - check for any bent pins on the motherboard socket. Re-seat the RAM.

Why does my smoke detector beep 5 times then stops?

Five chirps indicate that the alarm is at its end of life (EOL). This should not happen for about 5 years after the date of manufacture.

How do I get my First Alert carbon monoxide detector to stop beeping?

On First Alert carbon monoxide detectors, check to see if the battery light is yellow or green. If the alarm is chirping and the light is yellow, it means the battery is low. The way to get a carbon monoxide alarm to stop chirping is to replace the battery.

Why does my carbon monoxide alarm go off every 5 seconds?

Check Your CO Detector

If your detector is low on battery, you will likely hear a short chirp every minute. To warn of dangerous CO levels, most detectors will beep 4 or 5 times in a row about every 4 seconds. Do not mistake dangerous levels of poisonous gas for a detector with low battery!

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

How many times should a carbon monoxide detector beep?

Here's a simple guide: Smoke alarms alert you with three beeps in a row. Carbon monoxide alarms alert you with four beeps. A single chirp means the battery is low or the detector should be replaced.

Why does my carbon monoxide detector beep 5 times then stop?

It is time to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm. 5 Beeps Every Minute: End of Life. This chirp means it is time to replace your carbon monoxide alarm.

What can falsely set off a carbon monoxide detector?

Common causes of false alarms of carbon monoxide:
  • Close to cooking sources (10 feet minimum)
  • Close to sources of humidity (10-20 feet)
  • Near fireplaces.
  • Near water heaters.
  • Near furnaces.
  • Located in a poorly ventilated location like a garage, kitchen, or closet.

What do 5 chirps mean on a smoke detector?

5 Beeps Every Minute: End of Life. This type of chirp indicates it is time to replace your carbon monoxide alarm.

What if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off but no fire?

False or nuisance alarms are when your smoke detector or CO alarm goes off, but there is no presence of smoke or carbon monoxide in your home. However, if your smoke or carbon monoxide detector sounds indicating an emergency and you are not certain it is a nuisance alarm, evacuate the home and call 9-1-1.

What to do if carbon monoxide alarm beeps every 30 seconds?

When the detector is making chirping sounds every 30 seconds, this is not the same as a continuous siren. The chirping sound usually indicates the alarm is near its end of life and requires replacing. Carbon monoxide detectors have a seven-year lifespan. Replacing the battery does not stop this type of beeping.

Why does my smoke alarm beep 5 times then stops?

Low Battery or End-of-Life: This type of chirp indicates it is time to replace your smoke alarm's batteries or the smoke alarm itself.

What color should the light be on the First Alert carbon monoxide detector?

First Alert CO600 Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector

A: That is the power light. It is normally solid red and flashes when there is a problem.

Will a carbon monoxide alarm go off again if you silence it?

This may silence the alarm for a brief period, but it will reactivate if CO levels remain high.

How many beeps is carbon monoxide?

Continuous Four-Beep Alarm Pattern

The alarm pattern is four short beeps – followed by five seconds of silence – followed by four short beeps. * This could mean that: Your alarm may have detected carbon monoxide. Make sure that you know how to respond to a CO emergency.

What if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off then stops?

If you hear 4 beeps and then a pause, this is an EMERGENCY.

It indicates carbon monoxide has been detected and you should immediately evacuate your home or building and call 9-1-1.

What does 3 beeps mean on a first alert smoke and carbon monoxide detector?

1 beep every minute: This means that the alarm has low batteries and you should replace them. 3 beeps every minute: This means the alarm has encountered a malfunction and needs replacement. 5 beeps every minute: This means your alarm has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced with a new alarm.

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