Why doesn’t my smoke alarm sound when I push the test button?
Question
My smoke alarm doesn’t sound when I push the test button. Why?
Answer
Hold the test button down longer. Try holding the test button down for up to 20 seconds.
Check the power supply. Make sure the battery is installed properly – the right way around making contact with the points and/or snapped all the way in place. Even if the alarm sounded briefly when the battery touched the terminals, you still need to make sure it is snapped-in and sitting securely in place. If the battery is loose, you will not be protected if the alarm can not activate and go off.
Make sure the AC power is on. Our 240v smoke alarm has a green power indicator light that shines continuously when it is receiving electrical power.
For the 10-year lithium battery model, the smoke alarm may not have been properly activated. If the tab broke away before the alarm was activated, you can use a toothpick to move the switch over to activate it.