The nightmare of trying to stop smoke detector beeping or chirping: Chirp! You open your eyes. It’s pitch black, except for the glaring red “2:01” at your bedside table. What is a sparrow doing in my house at two in the morning? you wonder, grumpily. You raise to your elbows on the bed and try to still your breathing so you can hear better. Nothing.
You plop back onto your pillow and just as the sweet numbing sensation of sleep overtakes you—Chirp! Startled, you rub your eyes and look back at the digital clock: “2:03.” Nope. It’s no sparrow. It must be the smoke alarm chirping.
As if to confirm your suspicions, you hear it again—Chirp! This time, your ears have picked up on its position. You sit up carefully so as to not disturb your husband and crane your neck to look out the open bedroom door. Sure enough, it’s the smoke detector in your daughter’s room.
You can just barely make out its faint red light from the ceiling across the hall. You look over at the blanketed form of your husband who is sound asleep. How can he… Chirp! You sigh and wonder how soundproof your pillow is just as you hear your child stirring in the other bedroom.
Oh, no. The last thing you need as a sleep-deprived mother is a miniature version of yourself asking about a sparrow at—what time is it?—2:05a.m. Better just take care of it now.
Climbing out of bed, you wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and make your way to the kitchen for the step stool. Once back in the hall, you climb the stool, reach up, and—Chirp!—open the fire alarm, from which you promptly remove the battery.
You close the fire alarm, step down, and replace the stool in the kitchen, where you also leave the batteries before returning to your bedroom. Quietly, you scramble into bed and resume what was nearly a great night’s sleep. WAIT!
What are you doing?! Don’t you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, 3 out of 5 fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors?
In addition, 1 out of 5 fire deaths were the result of homes that had smoke alarms that did not sound because the batteries were disconnected or removed due to “nuisance alarms” just like that smoke detector beeping that woke you from your slumber.
Look, I get it. Smoke alarm chirping seems to invariably start in the middle of the night in one of the most inconvenient parts of the house, whether it’s your child’s bedroom or one of the high-ceilinged living spaces.
It’s inevitable, it’s unfair, and it’ll make you seriously question if there is some celestial being in charge of tormenting somnolent mothers with his incessantly chirping smoke detector minions. But, there comes a time when adulting requires a change in perspective. There are no false-alarm deities out to get you.
Much like the introduction here, I was peacefully sleeping one night, dreaming of chirping birds. Suddenly, I realized it was not a dream. Instead, the smoke detector in my kids’ bedroom decided it was time to die.
I didn’t know the worrisome fire hazard statistics at the time, so I left the issue alone until the next day when we put in a new battery.
We thought that battery would solve the smoke detector beeping but, to our dismay, the smoke alarm started to chirp again! We tried another battery but had the same result.
Eventually, I called the local fire department and asked if the fire alarm beeping indicated something more serious than a battery-change and what we could do to stop smoke detector beeping or chirping if it wasn’t a battery issue.
A nice fireman gave me some pointers. I wasn’t sure at first, but I did precisely what he suggested and it worked! The smoke detector chirping stopped.
I was so relieved! It saved me the time and money of purchasing a new smoke alarm.
Change Smoke Detector Batteries Routinely
The batteries should be changed or any other smoke detector beeping issue should be immediately addressed because your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on it. You should test your smoke detector monthly and replace batteries at least once per year.
It hardly takes any time or effort at all. In fact, my repeat trouble when I tried to stop smoke detector beeping or chirping myself, and I’m here to assure you that it’s something that can be quickly and easily dealt with.
So, before you just give up and take the batteries out for good or go out and make an unnecessary purchase, check out the steps I took below to stop smoke detector beeping or chirping:
Try These Steps When Your Smoke Detector Beeping Starts
Steps to Take to Stop a Beeping Smoke Detector:
- Replace Old Battery
Replace the old battery, making sure you insert it correctly. See if the smoke detector beeping stops with simple battery replacement before you continue down this list.
- Remove Smoke Detector
If the smoke detector beeping continues despite replacing the battery, remove the smoke alarm from the ceiling. This is usually done by rotation of the detector until it releases from the base. If the smoke detector is wired, then you must also disconnect the wiring plugin from the smoke alarm.
- Remove Battery and Hold Down Test Button
Once you have the smoke detector down from the ceiling, remove the battery if its still attached, and hold down the test button on the top of the smoke alarm for about 15 to 20 seconds. Any residual smoke detector beeping will drain from the electronic capacitors and circuitry within the smoke alarm.
- Clean Smoke Detector
Next, the smoke detector must be cleaned of the dust that accumulates over time. There are several methods to do this. Vacuuming is the method recommended by many manufacturers, but some electronics experts advise against vacuuming, due to the creation of static electricity, which can damage some electronic components. Another effective method—and the one I recommend—is to blow out the smoke detector with compressed air. If you do not have an air compressor, you can easily use a can of compressed air purchased from your local home goods or office supply store. Make sure you blow out the detection vent on the front surface of the smoke alarm, inside the battery compartment, and around the side openings of the smoke detector. Reinstall the smoke detector and insert a charged battery. (In most cases, the smoke detector beeping will stop. If it does not, see the notes below.)
Other Notes for Smoke Detector Beeping
For some smoke alarm brands, one weak battery in a wired system can cause “nuisance alarm” smoke detector beeping that cannot be remedied once it starts. In addition, some smoke detectors expire after five to seven years anyway.
Unfortunately, you won’t know this unless you have faithfully gone through the steps above to see if they stop smoke detector chirping. If you do find that my suggestions don’t help, I’m afraid you will need to replace the affected smoke alarm.
In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends complete smoke detector replacement every 10 years. See my recommendations below for the top smoke detectors currently available.
Considerations When Purchasing “Smoke Detectors”
Not all smoke detectors are equal. In fact, although most people use the term smoke detector for residential smoke alarms, the terms detector and alarm mean different things.
Smoke detectors sense smoke only, and connect to a fire alarm system. They are typically used within hotels, hospitals, and in other commercial or industrial applications.
Alternatively, smoke alarms combine the smoke detector and alarm into a single, self-contained unit or combination of units. Smoke alarms are widely used in residential settings.
Two Basic Types of Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms detect the presence of smoke by one or both of two sensor types: ionization and photoelectric. The U.S. Fire Administration, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology conducted a controlled laboratory test of smoke alarm responses of these two sensor types.
The experiment revealed ionization alarms provide faster notification to fast flaming fires like those associated with oils in cooking, gasoline, or other accelerants.
In contrast, photoelectric alarms provide faster alerts to smoldering fires like those associated with synthetic building materials, carpets, or mattresses. The alarm placement within the home, however, made the greatest impact on the time of ignition to the alarm sounding time.
So, why is this important? It means smoke alarm sensor type matters less than the placement of the alarm. All alarms should be placed within a home according to the manufacturers recommendations in combination with local building codes.
Furthermore, some states require combination smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
Most fire experts and organizations recommend ionization and photoelectric sensor alarms and CO alarms within homes, either separately or combined in multiple sensor alarms. Other experts feel ionization alarms, although the most common sensor type in the alarms used in most homes, do not afford adequate and timely notification of most fires and more commonly give false alarms (cooking, burned toast, shower steam, etc.) than do photoelectric alarms.
In practical terms, this means people more likely disable ionization-type alarms than photoelectric alarms. Whatever sensor gives the best notification of a fire within your home becomes pointless if you chose to disable or not even install a smoke alarm.
If you prefer environment-friendly products, photoelectric sensor alarms meet the mark over ionization sensor alarms. Photoelectric smoke alarms do not use the small amount of radioactive elements like americium-241 contained within sensors of ionization alarms.
Purchasing a New Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarms vary in features, primary power source, and sensor type and discrimination capability. What most likely brought you to this article was that irritating inability to stop smoke detector beeping or chirping.
Alongside repeated false alarms, people disconnect or remove smoke alarms within their homes for these reasons. The current smoke alarms vary in their ability to discriminate between an emergency and a false event like steam or cooking.
If you must purchase a new alarm, please see my review below of the current best smoke alarms. Depending on your home, you might need battery operated or hardwired smoke alarms, so I divided my review based on this.
Please note, my selection of the best smoke alarms is based upon sensors and other features, not a specific brand. I am not affiliated with any alarm manufacturer, and provide the most objective review possible based upon my product research and personal experience.
The Best Smoke Alarms Available
Battery Operated Smoke Alarms
Kidde i9040 Battery-Operated Ionization sensor Compact Smoke Alarm
Pros: If you want a basic smoke alarm, this alarm provides what you need. This small, 4-inch diameter smoke alarm contains an ionization sensor for faster detection of flames.
Well-known within the smoke detector industry, Kidde provides some of the most economical alarms on the market.
Cons: Contains an ionization sensor only, no carbon monoxide detection, and less environmentally friendly.
First Alert SA320CN Dual-Sensor Smoke and Fire Alarm
Pros: This smoke alarm contains both ionization and photoelectric sensors to provide early warning of fast-flame and smoldering fires.
It contains a loud 85-decibel siren to awaken the soundest of sleepers in your household. First Alert also leads within the fire protection industry.
Cons: No carbon monoxide detection and less environmentally friendly.
First Alert Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm | Battery Operated, SCO5CN
Pros: This smoke alarm contains a photoelectric sensor, minimizing false alarms due to cooking smoke or shower steam.
This sensor allows for greater environmental friendliness.
Additionally, this alarm contains an advanced electrochemical sensor to detect carbon monoxide leaks from multiple sources, like faulty fuel-burning appliances, blocked chimneys, or generators running inside or too close to homes.
It also contains loud 85-decibel siren.
Cons: Affordable, but more expensive than previous two units. Not available in some states within the USA. If you also want an ionization sensor, this unit contains only the photoelectric sensor.
Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Battery Powered (Second Generation)
Pros: If you want the elite option, the Nest smoke and carbon monoxide alarm exceeds all expectations!
This alarm contains a split-spectrum sensor to photoelectrically detect a wider range of smoke events from slow, smoldering to fast flaming fires.
It also contains heat, humidity, and ambient light sensors for greater ability to distinguish fires from false events and give you the surety the alarm currently functions properly.
The Nest alarm provides voice alert of the exact event location and an 85-decibel horn. Additionally, this alarm lights your way at night and continually checks battery charge to eliminate those alloying chirps.
If you love modern technology and integration, the Nest alarm connects by Wi-Fi, allowing communication to other installed Nest smoke alarms, and gives the ability to activate those alarms much like hardwired systems.
It integrates with other Nest products like thermostats to allow automatic shutdown of any furnaces during carbon monoxide alerts.
One of the best options includes the ability to receive alarms from any location via your mobile phone, letting you check while away from home.
Cons: Expensive compared to the other options, but unbeatable considering capabilities, integration, and protection.
Click HERE to view the full line of Nest home integration options.
Hardwired Smoke Alarms
First Alert Smoke Detector Alarm | Hardwired with Backup Battery, BRK9120b6CP
Pros: This inexpensive, basic smoke alarm provides battery backup to ensure uninterrupted protection even during power failures.
Equipped with an ionization sensor and 85-decibel alarm, it can connect to other First Alert smoke alarms to ensure house-wide alert when one alarm detects smoke.
Cons: Requires wired connection if not existing already. Contains an ionization sensor only, no carbon monoxide detection, and less environmentally friendly.
First Alert Smoke Detector, Photoelectric and Ionized Alarm | Hardwired with Battery Backup, BRK 3120B
Pros: The BRK 3120B from First Alert gives another hardwired smoke alarm option with battery backup.
This particular model contains both ionization and photoelectric sensors, allowing for earlier detection of fast-flaming and smoldering fires.
It contains a loud 85-decibel alarm, and can also interconnect with other First Alert smoke alarms for household-wide notification.
Cons: Requires wired connection if not existing already. Contains no carbon monoxide detection capability, and is less environmentally friendly due to ionization sensor.
Kidde KN-COSM-IBA Hardwire Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Pros: This affordable Kidde smoke alarm model detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, and uses ionization sensor technology for fire detection.
Like the previous hardwired models, it contains battery backup, and interconnection capability.
Additionally, its talking alarm announces the hazard type detected.
Cons: Requires wired connection if not existing already. Less environmentally friendly due to ionization sensor type.
Special Needs Options
As a mother of a child with autism, mindfulness of those who need special consideration. These include individuals with special needs, those with different sensory requirements, and people on both ends of the age spectrum.
Below are three options identified to assist those fitting this description. Note: Please ensure the smoke alarm matches the specific needs required, given each person’s alert stimulus type and threshold varies.
Kidde Battery Operated Smoke Detector Alarm with Safety Light | Model i9080
Pros: This inexpensive battery operated smoke alarm contains a safety light to illuminate an escape pathway.
Especially suited for hallways and stairwells, it could also provide additional notification to those who need a stimulus other than sound to alert them of danger.
Cons: Contains an ionization sensor only, no carbon monoxide detection, and less environmentally friendly. Requires light stimulus to awaken someone, so not optimal for every situation.
First Alert SLED177 Hardwired Hearing Impaired Led Strobe Light
This alarm contains a powerful 177 candela LED strobe light to provide visual warning for those who need this type of alert.
A trouble signal synchronization causes strobes to flash in unison when multiple units are installed.
Cons: Requires wired connection if not existing already. Contains an ionization sensor only, no carbon monoxide detection, and less environmentally friendly. Requires light stimulus to awaken someone, so not optimal for every situation.
Kidde 21026043 Battery-Operated(Not Hardwired) Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Warning KN-COSM-BA
Pros: This battery operated alarm detects smoke and carbon monoxide. It produces both an 85-decibel alarm and also voice announcements of the specific threat identified.
The voice also indicates when the battery is low. Works well for someone who needs voice description to understand the meaning of the alarm.
Cons: Contains an ionization sensor and less environmentally friendly due to this type of sensor.
Thanks for reading. I hope you have found this “how to stop smoke alarm beeping” post helpful. I know how bothersome those chirps can be and I know several friends who were just as clueless about it as I was.
Thankfully, the solution is simple and the peace of mind is well worth it.
Remember, house fires are more common than people realize. One of the most deadliest fires start out as electrical fires. Most people sleep through these because they are silent and within the walls.
Luckily, smoke detectors can pick up on even the slightest amount of smoke—even from electrical fires. This is why it’s important that you address any beeping or malfunction in your fire alarm immediately.
Stay diligent! Stay safe!
Note: Should you choose to purchase a new smoke alarm by clicking through the provided links, I could receive a commission from Amazon at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
I never thought about having to clean the smoke detector from dust that accumulates over time. My smoke detector stopped working a little bit ago, and now I am looking for a repair. These are good tips to keep in mind for my new detector, so I will be able to maintain it longer.
Thank you SOOOO much for this detailed (and easily understood) explanation. Your suggestions worked perfectly and saved me a night’s sleep AND buying a new smoke detector. If I lived near you I would buy you a drink.
Well I’m so glad! Yes, too bad because sometimes I really need a drink! lol
FYI– According to many manufacturers; Most smoke alarms have a life span of 10 years, after that, they must be replaced with new. Just changing a battery very year may not be all that is required. Read the fine print on the packaging and device.
Yes, exactly. That was in the other notes section.
Hi I had dodgy building work done in my flat I bought four years ago.I didn’t realise a builder covered 2 old smoke alarms in a bedroom been beeping for four months now.Only confirmed by council taking pictures from the upstairs flat.Im worried the noise will never go and they put other false ceilings in
Oh my word that must be super annoying. I hate builders who have no conscious and don’t do things to code. It makes you wonder what other corner they cut. I hope you get it resolved.
I dont know where to turn for help My detector at the top of the stairs started chirping at 5:30 am and I replaced the battery. Chirping continued so I removed it and put it in garage. Next morning at exactly sme time the one at bottom of stairs started chjirping. Took it off also and called an electrician Bought new smoke detectors and ne batteries,-FIREX Kiddie He installed them =charged me $85 and left. Next morning exactly at :30am, chiorping began again at top of stairs. I called him and he came by and swapped the smoke detectors- checked the wiring on both –said that all looked good and left after charging me another $40. Well, next morning – same time chirping began. What do I do? Electrician told me to call the manufacturer!!
Can anyone help?? PLEASE
I’m not sure mines have been doing the same so I took them all off until I can clean the dust and replace batteries. They don’t let me sleep.
I would suggest calling the fire dept and asking for advice mainly because they are imperative to saving your life in case of a fire! So ensuring their working properly is of utmost importance, If an electrician can’t figure it out (and yet STILL charge you outrageous prices for nothing) then the only other qualified group of people would be the fire dept. Surely an experienced firefighter has heard of this issue before. Would anyone else agree? It couldn’t hurt to try anyway. I will say a lil’ prayer for you in the meantime because there is literally nothing more annoying than a chirping alarm. You hear it….. then you lie in bed anticipating it’s next chirp….over and over again!. UGH!
My 85 year old mother has a hard wired smoke alarm system with of course one at the very top of a cathedral type ceiling. She had the entire system replaced after 9 years and all was well until 4 months later the battery on the highest unreachable unit went off with it’s annoying screeching . So here is my tip, when replacing the system use new reliable brand batteries, don’t use the ones that come with the new units , especially hard to reach units. She called the fire dept. , however it was Sunday and the secretary handling these things works Monday through Friday. My mother wanted to call the emergency number but I convinced her although it seemed life threatening to her it really was not. It took a few days and we tried everything , even turning off the electricity to the ceiling. That did not work unless we turned off the main switch and not an option . After two days she received the assistance she needed. We now set up an appointment with the fire dept every 12 months to change batteries for her before they go out.
Infortunately been putting up with one for over a week and it’s driving me crazy. Rental property though and it’s 10 foot ceilings. Stupid thing chirps like crazy but is in hallway to apa to apartments. Been told i have to wait for alarm installers to fix it but days later still no sign. If only i had a baseball bat handy.
Tried all of those ideas none of them are working I guess I just have a faulty alarm
Hi. Once it starts chirping does it sometimes stop beeping and then start up again? My started chirping at 4am (yey!) and when I finally got up to it on a ladder i couldn’t figure out how to open up the device. I pressed the test button accidentally and then it stopped chirping. Is this just temporary? I’m wondering if I need a professional to look at it. It’s a new condo and I’m not sure of the model and how to uninstall it to change the battery.
Hi Jackie,
I am not sure. Is yours hard wired? If so you may need an entirely new one and isn’t it crazy how they always go off at night or early morning.
SUPERB!!!!
Thank You.