Smoke detector won’t stop chirping?
This happens a lot. It’s annoying, and in most cases it’s easy to resolve.
What the chirping usually means
- The battery is low or failing
- A hardwired unit’s backup battery is aging
- The detector’s sensor has reached the end of its lifespan
If the chirping keeps coming back, replacement is often the simplest solution.
What kind of smoke detector do you have?
Battery-powered detector
No wires. Usually twists off the ceiling.
If it keeps chirping after a battery change, replacing the unit is often the fastest fix.
Hardwired detector (with backup battery)
Wires are visible when removed. Still contains a battery.
These commonly chirp when the backup battery or internal sensor ages out.
Replacing it is normal
Smoke detectors don’t last forever. After several years, sensors degrade and false alerts or chirping become common.
Replacing the unit is often safer — and less frustrating — than guessing.
The simplest way to make it stop
One thing not to do
Don’t remove the detector and forget to replace it.
This page is for general information only and does not replace manufacturer instructions or local safety requirements.