Expanded exact-code directory
Kidde combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm error codes
Kidde combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm indicators as Kidde lists them, each with its meaning and the first safe check. Note the chirp count, the gap between chirps and whether a light is on, because the pattern separates a low battery from an end-of-life signal.
- chirp-every-60-seconds-low-batteryInsufficient battery power. Kidde says a chirp every
Every code
Every Kidde combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm code: what it means and what to do
Kidde combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm code chirp-every-60-seconds-low-battery
Insufficient battery power. Kidde says a chirp every 60 seconds means the battery power is not sufficient to power the unit in full alarm.
Check the battery type the alarm specifies and when it was last replaced.
Kidde's step is to check the battery and replace it if necessary. A battery too weak to power the unit in full alarm is a safety problem, so treat it as urgent.
Kidde — How Do I Determine If My Combination Alarm Has Reached Its End of Life?
Kidde combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm chirps and codes
Kidde's combination alarms sound for smoke and for carbon monoxide, and they use chirps, beeps and lights to signal faults, so this page explains the patterns. An alarm that sounds continuously is a real alarm: leave the building and call emergency services. A single chirp every minute or so is a low battery or an end-of-life signal, and several chirps in a pattern may point to a different fault.
For a low battery chirp, replace the battery with the type named on the alarm and press the test button. For an end-of-life signal, replace the whole alarm, since sensors wear out, usually after seven to ten years; the date is printed on the back. For a false alarm from cooking steam, fan the air and press the hush button. Never remove a battery to silence an alarm and leave it off.
The model and the manufacture date are on the back of the alarm. Kidde's support asks for them. Test the alarm monthly with the test button.
A combination alarm detects two hazards with two sensors, and each can fail on its own schedule. The carbon monoxide sensor generally has a shorter life than the smoke sensor, and the alarm will tell you when it reaches its end of life with a repeated chirp pattern. Replace the entire alarm at that point, and write the installation date on it with a marker. Fit alarms on every level and near bedrooms, interlinked if the model supports it, and test them monthly.
What does a chirp every minute mean?
A low battery or the end of the alarm's life.
Can I silence an alarm by removing the battery?
No, replace the battery or the alarm.
Does the carbon monoxide sensor wear out?
Yes, and the alarm signals when it is time to replace the unit.