Even after the battery has died, the detector maintains a residual charge that will keep the chirp going for at least seven days. To get the device to stop chirping once the battery has been removed, you must drain this residual charge by holding the test button for 15 seconds.
First, make sure to check the battery, if the alarm chirping continues after replacing the battery, it's likely that the alarm unit itself is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Smoke detectors have a built-in residual charge, even with the battery removed. Press down and hold the test or reset button for a minute or so, this should drain it and shut it up.
Dead backup battery: Most hardwired smoke detectors have a backup battery that kicks in when the power goes out. If this battery is running low, the detector will emit a high-pitched beep. To solve this, replace the backup battery (1).
Removing the battery from a hard-wired smoke detector will not stop the beeping if it is hard-wired. These detectors are designed to receive power from your home's electrical system, so they will continue to function and emit beeping sounds even without a battery.
Battery issues are one of the most frequent reasons that hard-wired smoke alarms might beep. Though these alarms connect to your home's electrical system, they still use battery backup that kicks in during power outages. When the battery runs low or is completely dead, the detector emits a beeping sound to alert you.
If your smoke detector is hard-wired, it may still beep even without a battery. This could be because the backup battery has been activated, signalling a problem. If the backup battery has run out, it can cause the hard-wired smoke detector to chirp.
Stopping a smoke alarm from beeping is often simple. Get a step ladder and carefully reach for the alarm. 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.
If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.
Common causes of alarm system beeping can include: the alarm has been activated and the siren has timed out - check for signs of a break-in. low backup battery issues - check the backup battery and replace it if needed - more info on replacing the alarm backup battery.
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...
Disconnect the wire harness by squeezing the locking arms on the quick connector while pulling the connector away from the bottom of the alarm. Battery-operated alarms will not have a wire harness.
You can replace the wiring harness with the power on, if you follow a couple of guidelines. One.. work with only one wire at a time. Two, don't let the black wire touch anything while you are splicing it to the new harness, and don't touch the uninsulated portion of the wire with your bare hands.
Clear Residual Charge to Stop the Chirp
Remove the alarm from your ceiling or wall. Open the cover and take out the battery. Press and hold the test button for 15-30 seconds. This will fully reset the smoke alarm and drain any charge left inside.
Check for a tripped circuit breaker: if you have a hardwired system and changing the batteries did not stop the beeping, a circuit breaker may have tripped, or the power may have momentarily gone out. Try flipping your breaker switch to see if that stops the beeping.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
Sometimes the red light on your smoke detector means nothing is wrong. Many smoke detectors use an LED light to show you that everything's working properly. If your device's on/off button has a stale red light, it likely means the system is working properly.
Replacing batteries might be the solution to your problem, even if your smoke alarm is hard-wired. Hard-wired smoke alarms use batteries as a back-up. When those back-up batteries need replacing, the alarm will tell you.
In most cases, you can find the 'hush' button on the smoke detector's cover.
Even after the battery has died, the detector maintains a residual charge that will keep the chirp going for at least seven days. To get the device to stop chirping once the battery has been removed, you must drain this residual charge by holding the test button for 15 seconds.
The green light on my smoke alarm has gone out, what does this mean? The AC power has been interrupted. Check the circuit breaker and AC wiring to correct the problem.