The non-stop chirping of a smoke detector is a noise that people can’t ignore, and it is a kind of noise that can terrify or annoy households. Normally, when a smoke detector starts to produce a chirping noise when it needs a battery replacement.
But when changing the battery doesn’t stop the non-chirping, it can be a different issue, and it causes some people to panic. This commonly happens with electric-powered models with backup batteries. Most of the newer smoke detector models keep errors on their processor, which can also cause a chirping noise.
Why does my smoke detector keep beeping even after I change the battery? This is an issue that can be caused by a lot of different problems, especially for the hardwired models with backup batteries and or the more advanced models. When a smoke detector keeps beeping even after replacing its battery, it can mean that there is something preventing it from detecting the battery.
It can also mean that there are too many system errors overwhelming its processor. The intermittent chirping noise can also indicate that the device has already reached its end and needed to be replaced. In this case, there are plenty of ways to address the issue, and they will depend on what really is the culprit of the non-stop chirping or beeping.
I take it that you are here, reading my article because you are experiencing a problem with your smoke detector and its intermittent chirping. Well, you earlier had your answer, and the best way to address it is to troubleshoot your device. If you have no idea to do it, then you probably want to stick for a while to be enlightened.
Join me, and together we can go through the common causes of the chirping noise and look for ways to fix and address the issue. Let us begin!
The Common Causes of Non-Stop Chirping of Smoke Alarms
As I’ve said before, there are plenty of reasons that trigger a smoke detector to start chirping or beeping non-stop. Issues like this can be caused by a dying battery, error logs saved on the system, environmental conditions, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these causes and try to see the culprit of your problem!
1. Low Charged Battery or Dying Battery
For the conventional models of smoke detectors, which makes them produce the non-stop beeping is when they need a new replacement battery. However, if it part of a network of alarms, only the device that has the low battery will be chirping.
These devices are designed to beep once every minute to indicate the battery that has a low charge left in it and needs a new battery replacement.
2. Improper Battery Installing or Loose Connection
In case you already replaced the battery of the device, but the chirping doesn’t stop. One reason that may cause it is a loose connection between the battery terminals and contact plates. It can also be because of an improper battery installation that prevents it from recognizing a power source.
This can also be a case of an open battery compartment lid or an unremoved pull-tab of the battery. Any of these enumerated can trigger a smoke detector to produce the chirping sound, even if its battery has been replaced.
3. Dirty Battery Slot or Buildups Obstructing Good Connection
Over time, smoke detectors gradually accumulate dust, dirt, and even insects that can obstruct the connection between the battery and its connectors. There are also models that can sense if there is too much buildup within the chamber, causing it to sound the alarm.
This is a usual case in the devices with plenty of openings where dirt and dust can easily sip in.
4. Various Changes in the Environment Surrounding the Device
The condition of the surrounding environment of the device can also trigger a smoke detector to beep non-stop. This can be due to humidity, the excess flow of air, and fluctuating temperature.
There sensitive smoke alarms that beep when detecting high humidity. When the ambient humidity on the area the device is installed gets too high, it triggers the alarm. Extreme changes in temperature can also cause a smoke detector to produce the chirping sound.
5. Too Many Errors Saved on the Processor of the Device
There are modern smoke detectors or smoke alarms that are considered smart devices, allowing them to adapt to the environment. These advanced models often save errors to their processor.
If there are too many errors saved on the processor, it causes these more advanced models to trigger an alarm, indicating that it needs a system restart. This gets rid of the errors saved in the device’s processor.
6. Smoke Detector Had Reached Its End and Needs to Be Replaced
In some cases, especially for the smoke detectors that already seen a lot of years. The non-stop chirping may indicate its end. Typically, a smoke alarm lasts for eight or even ten years and if your device is that old. It may be a case where it tells you that it needs to be replaced because it has completed its full lifespan.
There you go! Those are the most common reasons why a smoke detector is producing the non-stop chirping noise. I am sure one of those is the reason why yours is producing the irritating noise.
Now that you know what may cause your device to chirp, all you have to do now is to address the issue. Read on and learn how it’s done.
Addressing the Intermittent Beeping of Smoke Detectors
Once you know what exactly is the culprit that makes your smoke detector produce the irritating chirping noise. Addressing or fixing the issue is the next step to make it stop.
It is a simple fix if the alarm is due to a low battery because all it needs to have its battery replaced. However, if changing the battery doesn’t stop it from producing the noise, it will need a different approach.
Here are some of the things that you can do to try to fix the issue if battery replacement failed:
1. Cleaning the Entire Device and Properly Installing the Battery
In order for you to address the issues regarding improper battery installation, loose connections, and dirty smoke detector chamber. You have to thoroughly clean the interior of the device and make sure that there is no buildup of dirt on the battery contacts to have a good connection with the battery.
Ensuring that the battery is properly placed and nothing obstructs its way to fit its designated slot is another way of making sure it has a good connection with the contact points.
Finally, you also have to make sure that the battery compartment lid is locked and securely placed.
2. Addressing Some Environmental Changes Causing the Alarm
In case the device is sounding the alarm due to fluctuations in temperatures or high humidity. The best way that can stop the smoke detector from continuous chirping is by setting the thermostat to the ideal ambient temperature.
This normalizes the temperature within the device’s surroundings, stopping it from producing the intermittent noise it makes.
3. Resetting the Smoke Alarm Restoring Its Factory Settings
Suppose the smoke detector has too many saved errors on its processor or doesn’t stop producing the non-stop chirping noise. Resetting it to restore its default factory settings is one of the common ways to address the issue.
However, smoke detectors come in various models, and the reset process can be different if you don’t have any idea how to restart your device.
Here are the two ways of resetting smoke detectors.
Method1: Resetting a Battery-Powered Smoke Alarm or Detector
For the conventional smoke detector models, the reset process is pretty straightforward due to its simpler system.
Here are the steps on how to reset the conventional battery-powered smoke alarm:
Step1: To reset a battery-operated smoke detector. The first thing you need to do is to take out its power cell to make sure that it is completely turned off.
Step2: Scan the device and look for the button used to test the device. Press and hold this “test” button for at least 20 seconds and wait for an alarm to sound and wait until it stops.
Step3: After the short alarm stops indicating that the reset process is successful, you can now reinstall the battery. Make sure that it is properly and securely placed. The device will once again briefly chirp to indicate that it is connected.
Method2: Resetting Wired or Electric-Powered Smoke Detectors with Backup Cell
A hardwired smoke detector that has a backup battery is a more advanced device model, which is a bit complex to reset. However, devices like this are still designed to have a hard reset.
Here’s what you need to do to reset an electric smoke alarm with backup battery:
Step1: The first thing you have to do to reset a device like this is to cut off its power supply. You can do this by shutting down the main circuit breaker from the main switch. Make sure that you are turning off the breaker that supplies power to the smoke detector.
Step2: Next step is to detach the device from the mounting bracket holding it in place. You may need to use a screwdriver to this since there are models that are screwed. Once the device is detached, the next thing to do is to disconnect the smoke detector’s power cable from its input power slot.
Step3: Take out the backup battery of the wired smoke detector and place it aside. Scan the device and look for its “test” button. Press it and then hold it for at least 20 seconds until you hear an alarm that will sound for a short time and wait for it to stop.
Step4: Reinstall the backup battery you removed and make sure it is properly installed. And then, plug in the smoke detector’s power cord in its input power slot, then place it back to its mounting brackets. Be sure that it is securely placed and then turn the circuit breaker on. Remember that the device should give a brief chirp to indicate that its system is successfully restored.
That is how you can reset and restore a smoke detector to its factory settings. You can see that both of the processes are very straightforward, and you can do it on your own. You just have to make sure that you carefully carry every step.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I hope that it helped you with your issues with your device. To refresh you with all of the information disclosed in this article.
Several things can trigger a smoke detector to produce an intermittent chirping sound even after replacing its battery. The best way to address it is to troubleshoot the device to determine what is the main reason. Once you learn about it, you can easily apply the fix.
