How To Stop Smoke Detector From Chirping Without Battery

Smoke detectors are devices that we cannot live without. These simple pocket-sized alarms have been proven time & again to ensure home safety from fires. Even though its working is simple, there are times when they misbehave & their functioning can go haywire. We’ll present various scenarios and explain how to stop smoke detector from chirping without battery.

Resetting The Smoke Detector

Sometimes the solution to all technical problems is to perform a reset. Now there are several ways to reset a smoke detector, so the best you can do is to look it up in your product manual. The reason being there are devices that work differently and their reset functions may differ from one another.

Tip – Always save your product manual rather than discarding it, it will always come in handy in times of crisis.

In any case, the simple & easy way to perform a reset is to first turn OFF the device and remove it. Before removing it care must be taken that the power is disconnected. You may be able to see a test button that is used to test the device.

Press and hold this button for 15-20 seconds after which you can install the device again. Now reconnect the power and switch it ON. Also, note that some hardwired detectors may also contain a removable battery. This removable battery should be removed when you are resetting the device. Upon completion, you can put the battery back in & reinstall it.

Cleaning The Smoke Detector

Too often, the reason behind a smoke detector chirping might be an outside issue. Foreign particles getting dislodged may cause a performance drop and force a detector to function normally.
Maintenance is key to preserving your security devices and cleaning is an important part of it. Make sure you clean your detectors at least twice a year for them to perform well.

Follow these few steps religiously when cleaning your device –

  • Remove the smoke detector from the ceiling. Never try to clean with your device still attached to the ceiling. Not only is it ineffective but it’s dangerous as well.
  • Brush off the dust from the outside of your device by using a dry cloth.
  • Now remove the batteries if any and use a dry brush, you may use an old toothbrush if you want. Gently brush the inside of the detector whilst making sure you’re not going hard on the electrical circuits inside.
  • Reinstall the batteries and test the device.

While cleaning make sure not to use a liquid soaked cloth or liquid spray for cleaning. Doing so will result in the electrical components getting damaged.

Toggle The Hardwired Device OFF & ON

Sometimes the solution to all hard problems is something easy. So before trying anything you can check your device by turning it OFF and then turning it ON after a few minutes.

Doing so kind of gives it a soft reset and allows the device to cool down a bit. This allows the detector to spring back into action and operate normally again. And due to this cooldown, the beeping problem might get solved as well.

Toggling it OFF & ON induces a refresh which can be exactly what it needs.

Check For Its Shelf Life

Any smoke detector is useless by the end of its shelf life. Many homeowners make the mistake of buying an alarm that was already too close to its expiry date.

Now, this ‘close to expiry’ phrase can be tricky as smoke alarms are meant to last for years. So an alarm that was manufactured a few years ago and has another year or so before expiry can also be too close to its shelf life.

You need to take these factors into account and always look at the manufacturing date first. If an alarm is manufactured within a year’s time it’s good to go for another few years. Sometimes these smoke alarms come with inbuilt batteries that may be at the end of their shelf life as well.

The alarm may not work properly in case of a fire when it’s nearing expiry. So always pay attention to this info when buying a device.

Remove The Device And Rewire It Again

This can be one of the last options for one to take when everything else isn’t working. It is seen many a time that hardwiring is the issue that affects the connectivity a bit. This connectivity issue may be the cause for a smoke alarm to misbehave and chirp endlessly.

To end the chirping you may need to remove the device from the ceiling and rewire the entire thing again. This can be time-consuming and you may need to call an expert to check whether this is the root cause or not.

If connectivity is an issue then even a brand new smoke detector will face a few problems. So it’s better you solve this rewiring problem at the earliest if you have it.

Note – Remember to use a ladder whilst removing the device, also make sure the power supply is OFF while removing it.

Some General FAQS

We’ll answer some of your most asked questions related to a smoke alarm.

Why does the smoke detector keep beeping without a battery?

That depends on a lot of factors like shelf life, dust accumulated inside the detector, or general malfunctioning.

Will taking the battery out of a smoke detector stop the beeping?

Generally, Yes it should stop the beeping sound in your detector. Removing the battery can result in the alarm getting disabled and should be done only when you’re replacing the battery with new ones.

Our Recommendation

If you’re looking to buy a smoke detector then here’s our recommendation. This alarm from First Alert is quite popular amongst homeowners and comes with a battery backup as well besides being hardwired.
Its dual photoelectric & ionization technology helps to identify fire breakouts with ease.

Also has a testing button to help you test the alarm beforehand. A few of these will be apt for your apartment to stay secure.