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False alarms and system glitches can be frustrating, and even more concerning, could prevent your home security system from working how it should. Luckily, most problems, from dead batteries to false alarms, are simple to fix. Explore our suggestions for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Topeka. We’ll help keep your household shielded and your system running smoothly.

Test Your Home Security System In Topeka

One of the most sensible ways to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it yourself! Modern systems have a test mode so you don’t mistakenly trigger an emergency response from monitoring agents. Once you’re in test mode, take these steps:

• Activate your system as you typically would when you leave.
• Open a window or door that has a contact sensor, or test other sensors. Close the window or door once you’re finished so it doesn’t prompt the alarm as you turn the system back on.
• Let the alarm resonate for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security company and to produce an entry in the alarm system log.
• Continue testing sensors as you wish
• Review the systems’s activity log to confirm that everything’s working.

No need to worry, monitoring agents can tell that your system is involved in a test. Just make sure to switch off test mode when complete. It’s smart to test every other month or whenever you change your home’s phone or internet service.

Inspect The Position And Condition Of Motion Sensors

Although an essential part of your alarm system, motion sensors are prone to false alarms. You can help prevent them with a few basic troubleshooting steps.

• Perform a physical inspection. Is there anything that could move within the path of the sensor, like drapery blown in a breeze?
• Is the sensor covered in dust? Cobwebs, dirt, and debris can lead to poor performance. Make sure the device is clean.
• Does the motion detector offer pet immunity you can activate? Some sensors can be programmed to ignore pets weighing up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery replaced? Low batteries may impact performance or cause false alarms.
• Is a heat source impairing the sensor? Too much heat from sunlight or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Pay Attention To Low Battery Warnings

One helpful perk of the latest home security systems is that they’ll alert you when batteries are running low. If your system has a app or control panel, you’ll often discover messages there. Depending on your alarm, you may hear an intermittent beep when batteries are low. 

Contact sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, and other wireless devices have batteries that will have to be replaced every so often. It’s wise to keep batteries around and set a replacement schedule. Many systems also have a rechargeable backup battery for the central control panel. This battery keeps your system running if you lose power and should recharge itself once power is back online. If it fails to recharge, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Topeka 

As the leading name in home security, ADT builds systems that provide unsurpassed protection and functionality. Getting into test mode is straightforward through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always be sent notifications when a sensor battery is nearing depletion. Reach out to Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to find out more and design a system ideal for your Topeka home and family. Call (785) 268-2982 or complete our form today!