Smoke detector chirping or beeping
A single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds is almost always a low battery or an alarm at the end of its life. A loud, continuous beep is an alarm, not a chirp. A few questions tell you which, and whether this is a battery swap or an electrician's job.
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Every question and answer on this page, in order
Question 1: What does the sound do?
Stand under the alarm for a minute and listen.
- A loud, continuous beep, beep, beep, or I see or smell smoke: Emergency: the alarm is sounding
- One short chirp about every 30 to 60 seconds: go to question 2
- Chirps or beeps now and then, at random: go to question 3
Question 2: Is the alarm battery-only, or wired into the house?
A hardwired alarm connects to wiring in the ceiling behind its base. If you are not sure, treat it as hardwired.
- Battery-only: go to question 4
- Hardwired, or I'm not sure: Hardwired alarm: call a licensed electrician
Question 3: Is the alarm battery-only, or wired into the house?
A hardwired alarm connects to wiring in the ceiling behind its base. If you are not sure, treat it as hardwired.
- Battery-only: Likely cause: humidity, airflow, temperature or a loose battery
- Hardwired, or I'm not sure: Hardwired alarm: call a licensed electrician
Question 4: Is the alarm 10 or more years past the date on its back, or does it have a sealed battery you cannot change?
Take the battery-only alarm off its base to read the manufacture date on the back.
- 10 years or older, or a sealed battery: Likely cause: the alarm has reached end of life
- Under 10 years, with a battery I can change: go to question 5
Question 5: Put in a fresh battery, then press and hold TEST. Does the chirping stop?
Use the battery type printed on the alarm.
- Yes, it stopped: Likely cause: a low battery
- No, it still chirps with a new battery: Likely cause: the alarm has reached end of life
Possible results
Need the words for the phone call? Build a what-to-tell-the-electrician checklist, or read when to call an electrician.