My smoke alarm detector has been beeping and chirping every 30 to 45 seconds and I don’t know what to do. This smoke detector will not stop beeping. What is wrong with it and how do I get it to stop? It has kept me up all night with its high pitched beeping. There is no on or off switch. It’s been doing this all night. The apartment maintenance man won’t be available until tomorrow! Do you know how to make it stop beeping?
Smoke Detector Alarm Keeps Beeping Chirping – How To Reset
You need to first be sure the smoke alarm is not beeping because of a fire or smoke coming from somewhere! If there is a fire, leave your home immediately and call 911. If there is no fire and your smoke detector beeps every 30 seconds or so, see below.
A smoke detector or smoke alarm in your home or apartment will beep or chirp if the batteries need to be replaced. The smoke alarm will make this noise to alert you that soon the batteries will be completely dead. When you start to hear the beeping or chirping, replace the battery with the exact same type that is in it. This will reset the smoke detector and will make it stop beeping and chirping.
Smoke detector alarm reset / test – Smoke detector beeping
Solution #1 – Your smoke detector needs new batteries. You can twist the detector off the wall or ceiling counterclockwise (or turn to the left and pull to remove). On the back of the smoke detector you will see a battery panel door. Open it and replace the old battery with a new one. The battery is usually a 9 volt battery. Once you add the new 9volt battery, shut the battery door. Test the smoke detector by pressing the test button and make sure it beeps. If it does, you have reset it by putting a new battery in it. Once the new battery is installed and you have tested it with the button, put it back on the wall or ceiling by turning it the opposite way it came off. Your smoke alarm should now be reset and installed properly.
Smoke alarm reset button
Press this button to STOP the beeping or to test your smoke detector
If smoke alarm is beeping replace the battery
Smoke detector removal to replace battery – Twist to the left to remove
This will give you access to replace the 9 volt battery
Best smoke detector battery – Lasts long with powerful lithium 9 volt battery!
Solution #2 – Your smoke alarm may be wired into the wall. When they make the “chirp” noise it could be one of two things. Either the power has gone out to your complete home or apartment and your detector is telling you NO POWER, or the battery is dead and needs to be replaced. The smoke alarm has a back-up battery in case the power goes out. If the power has not gone out, then the battery needs to be replaced. To replace the back-up battery in a hard wired smoke alarm, turn off power breaker for safety first, then remove the detector from the wall or ceiling. It may not fully come off as the wires go from the detector to the wall as seen in picture below. Remove the back cover to expose the battery. Remove and replace the back-up battery. After installing the battery, press the test button to see if it beeps. If it does the battery is installed correctly and it is ready to be put back on the wall or ceiling. Reinstall the smoke alarm back on the wall or ceiling, turn power breaker back on (if applicable) and it is all set.
Hard wired smoke detector
Replace back up battery but do not disconnect wires
NOTE: A smoke detector may need to be cleaned. At times, the smoke detector cover can get coated with grease, dirt and dust that needs to be washed off. The dirt and dust on the smoke alarm may trigger it to chirp or beep. Keeping it clean will prevent this from happening. The dirt can restrict airflow and make the smoke detector think it is hot and therefore setting it off to beep.
Broken smoke alarm? – Buy a new one!
Most smoke detectors require a certain brand of battery. Check the detector manufacturer requirement for the correct brand of battery. The wrong battery will cause the smoke detector beep and chirp.
How to stop the smoke detector from chirping or beeping
Smoke Detector battery replacement fix chirping or beeping Fire Alarm
How to change out battery on Kidde Firex hardwired smoke detector to stop chirping and beeping fire alarm
How to stop fix a Smoke Alarm chirp beep
This is a Firex brand but this will work on most other brands like Kidde and First Alert as well
Smoke alarm replacement
Step by step instructions for replacing a smoke alarm
Smoke detectors are an important safety feature in any home.
Replace a faulty smoke alarm with a new Kidde Firex smoke alarm. These alarms are interconnected on a single 120V circuit, so as with any electrical work you do around the home be sure to turn of the circuit breaker before making a repair.
Have other suggestions for a smoke detector beeping every 30 seconds and what may cause it? Please leave a comment below.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Clean the face of the detector. Gets dusty. Especially if it is located near an outside door.
Use a damp cloth and wipe the face clean. Replace the battery for sure.
Should work.
A green light should appear on the face plate to denote battery is working.