Why does my smoke detector keep beeping even after I change the battery first alert?

Author: Shaniya Rath  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

If you've installed a new battery and the alarm continues to beep, drain any residual charge from the unit. Remove the unit from the ceiling and remove its battery, then hold the test button for 15 seconds. Next, replace the battery. If the unit continues to beep, clean it using the methods we outlined above.

Why is my First Alert smoke alarm still beeping with a new battery?

There are a few possible causes for your smoke alarm to keep chirping even with a new battery. It might be time to buy a new detector. Check the date of manufacture printed on the back of your alarm to confirm it's not expired. Most alarms expire 7-10 years after the manufacture date.

How do you stop a hardwired first alert smoke detector from beeping?

Disconnect all power sources (take out the battery, if it is a plug in alarm remove it from the outlet, and if it is hardwired alarm disconnect it from any wiring). Hold the test/silence button for 20 seconds. Reconnect all power sources (put the new battery in, plug back into the outlet...

How to get first alert safe to stop beeping?

Unmount and reset power

If the unit is still chirping, unmount the unit. Then use your circuit breaker to turn off AC power. Wait at least 15 seconds before turning power back on and remount the device.

How do I silence my First Alert low battery chirp?

You can silence the low battery warning “chirp” by pressing the Test/Silence button on the alarm cover. Once the low battery warning “chirp” silence feature is activated, the unit continues to flash the Green light twice a minute for 8 hours.

New Battery & Smoke Detector Keeps Chirping How To Fix

Why is my smoke detector beeping 3 times with a new battery?

If you have replaced your batteries and there is still beeping, a residual charge may be the issue. A residual charge is a small charge left on the plates of a capacitor after an initial discharge, and it allows the beeping to continue after a battery dies or replacement.

Will a smoke detector eventually stop beeping?

Will a smoke alarm eventually stop chirping? A smoke alarm will eventually stop chirping if it stops detecting smoke or if the condition that created the false alarm is fixed. For example, if dust and debris is causing your alarm to sound, cleaning it will stop it from chirping.

How do you reset a First Alert smoke detector?

You can reset your alarm by following these quick steps:
  1. Disconnect all power sources (if you're replacing a hardwired alarm's battery, you'll want to to disconnect if from any wiring. ...
  2. Press and hold the test/silence button for 20 seconds. ...
  3. Reconnect all power sources (reconnect the wiring or plug back into the outlet).

How to make a hardwired smoke detector stop beeping?

Wired Alarms
  1. Shut off your home's main power breaker.
  2. Disconnect the alarm unit's power cable.
  3. Take the alarm down.
  4. Take out the backup battery.
  5. Hold the test button for 15 seconds to drain any residual charge.
  6. Re-install or replace the backup battery.
  7. Reconnect the alarm to the power cable.
  8. Replace the alarm.

Why does my smoke detector keep beeping even after I change the battery kidde?

Some smoke alarms have a processor that retains certain error conditions, such as a weak battery. The error condition should reset when the battery is replaced, but sometimes it doesn't and must be manually reset to clear the error.

How to temporarily stop a smoke alarm from beeping?

Pressing the “Test/Silence” button on the front of the unit should stop it from beeping or chirping. If this doesn't work, grasp the device and turn it counterclockwise. It should detach from the base so you can open the battery compartment in the back. Remove and replace the battery to see if it caused the issue.

Why wont my hardwired smoke alarm stop going off?

Several common causes can explain why your hard-wired smoke detector is beeping: Low battery: Even hard-wired smoke alarms have backup batteries that need replacing periodically. A low battery can cause that annoying beeping sound. Dust buildup: Dust and debris inside the smoke detector can trigger false alarms.

Does 3 beeps mean carbon monoxide?

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.

How to stop house alarm beeping low battery?

The beeping sound the low battery alarm makes can become very annoying but can be disconnected by removing the drained battery from your home alarm system panel. Make sure to replace the drained battery with a new one to keep your home alarm system functioning properly.

Why does my First Alert smoke alarm keep going off without smoke?

If the alarm continues to go off and no smoke is present, the cause may be: There may be insufficient battery power. Try another battery. Problems with voltage or insufficient electrical power (brown out) may cause a continuous weak sounding alarm.

Why is the red light flashing on my hard wired smoke detector?

Your alarm manufacturer may have included a blinking red light to let you know it's time to test the alarm again. The Batteries are Low: Usually accompanied by a loud beep, a blinking red light could mean the batteries in the unit are low. Consider adding fresh batteries and running a test to make sure it's working.

Why is my first alert smoke alarm chirping every 40 seconds hardwired?

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.

Why is my smoke alarm still beeping after replacing the battery?

If you replaced the battery and it's still beeping, the smoke detector might have expired like milk. Smoke detectors have an expiration date. The sensitive equipment inside can only work reliably for so long, so if yours is beeping and its expiration date has passed (or will in a year or two), it's time to replace it.

How to stop a first alert smoke detector from beeping?

Easy Fixes
  1. Replace the battery. Most often, a chirping First Alert Alarm means that it's low on battery. ...
  2. Reset the smoke alarm. ...
  3. Buy a new detector. ...
  4. Clean your smoke alarm. ...
  5. Check the wires on hardwired alarms. ...
  6. Move the detector somewhere else.

How do I stop my smoke detector from 3 chirping?

How to Stop a Smoke Alarm from Beeping?
  1. Replace the Smoke Alarm Batteries. ...
  2. Close the Fire Alarm Battery Drawer. ...
  3. Remove the Smoke Alarm Battery Pull Tab. ...
  4. Clean the Fire Alarm's Dirty Sensing Chamber. ...
  5. Check for Smoke Alarm Temperature Fluctuations. ...
  6. Get Newer Smoke Detectors.

Why is my smoke detector beeping continuously?

A beeping smoke alarm is a sign of a faulty battery or maybe the smoke detector just needs a reset. To reset the alarm, follow these steps: Identify the reset button on the smoke alarm. Hold the button for 10-15 seconds and release.

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