On the covered Kidde smoke alarm, chirping between red LED flashes means alarm malfunction. Kidde says the alarm chirps between flashes of the red LED. First, note that the chirp comes between red flashes rather than on its own timer.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kidde smoke alarm chirping between red LED flashes”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The alarm has a malfunction (a chirp between red LED flashes)
What separates it The alarm chirps between flashes of the red LED
How to confirm Press and hold the Test button for at least two seconds
- 2
A defective battery
What separates it The alarm does not sound when tested
How to confirm Replace the battery
- 3
A failed alarm
What separates it The test button gives no alarm
How to confirm Replace the unit
- 4
An alarm that is old
What separates it The date is past ten years
How to confirm Replace it
- 5
Dust inside the sensor
What separates it The alarm has been up for years
How to confirm Clean it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the chirp comes between red flashes
- Whether the test button sounds the alarm
- The date on the back label
- The model number
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleNote that the chirp comes between red flashes rather than on its own timer.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleKidde's step: press and hold the Test button for a minimum of two seconds. If the alarm does not sound, Kidde says the unit has a defective battery or other failure.
Note the chirp
ReversibleListen to the pattern. This chirp comes between the flashes of the red LED, and it is not the same as a low-battery chirp on its own timer.
Press and hold the Test button
ReversibleHold the Test button for at least two seconds, as Kidde says.
Listen for the alarm
ReversibleA working alarm sounds loudly while the button is held.
If the alarm does not sound
ReversibleKidde says that the unit has a defective battery or other failure, so replace the battery first and test again.
Replace the alarm if it still fails
ReversibleIf a new battery does not fix it, replace the whole alarm.
Check the age of the alarm
ReversibleReplace any alarm that is ten years old or more, whatever the test result.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The condition on this page
- Alarm malfunction: a chirp between red LED flashes.
- Parts involved
- The battery and the alarm.
- Source
- Kidde's guide to consistent chirping.
- What the pattern means
- Smoke alarms use different chirp patterns for different problems. A chirp once a minute usually means a low battery, a chirp every 30 seconds can mean end of life on a sealed unit, and a chirp between red flashes means that the alarm itself has detected a malfunction.
- Test regularly
- Press the Test button monthly. An alarm that sounds when you press the button is working, and one that does not is a danger, because it will not warn you in a fire.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the alarm does not sound on test, Kidde says the unit has a defective battery or other failure and should be replaced
- !Replace alarms every ten years
- !Contact Kidde with the model
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does chirping between red LED flashes mean on a Kidde smoke alarm?+
Alarm malfunction. Kidde says the alarm chirps between flashes of the red LED.
How do I test?+
Hold Test for two seconds.
What if it does not sound?+
The unit has a defective battery or other failure.
Should I replace it?+
Yes, if it fails the test.
Is it the same as a low battery chirp?+
No.
How often should I test my Kidde alarm?+
Once a month, using the Test button.
Can I ignore the chirp if the alarm sounds on test?+
Not until the cause is found, since the chirp is the alarm telling you that something is wrong.