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Carbon monoxide detectors are important safety features in your home that protect you from deadly gasses. When the alarm goes off, resetting it stops it from beeping and restarts the carbon monoxide detection to ensure it’s working properly. You’ll only need to reset your detector when it goes off, and it only takes a few seconds to do. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how and when you should reset your carbon monoxide detector.

Things You Should Know

  • Press the Reset button on the front of the carbon monoxide detector once to reset it. Instructions may vary so check your manual.
  • Use the Reset button whenever the alarm is sounding or when you change the batteries.
  • If the alarm starts again after pressing the Reset button, get everyone in the household to fresh air and call emergency services.
Section 1 of 4:

Resetting a Carbon Monoxide Detector

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  1. Your carbon monoxide alarm may have a separate Test button or a joint “Test/Reset” button on its front panel. Push the button down to reset the carbon monoxide detector and shut off the alarm. Some models might also have an LED light that flashes next to the button to confirm you’ve reset it.[1]
    • Always check the user manual for the specific carbon monoxide detector model you have since the instructions may vary. For example, you may need to hold the button down for 5–10 seconds to fully reset it.
    • Some carbon monoxide detectors automatically reset. After the alarm has gone off for about 5–10 minutes, it will turn off by itself.
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Section 3 of 4:

Why is my carbon monoxide detector beeping?

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  1. Take the alarm seriously every time it goes off. Get everyone in your household to fresh air immediately and call emergency services to find out what caused the carbon monoxide detector to go off.[3]
    • Learn to recognize the signs of CO leaks in case your detector isn’t working properly, like yellow flames on appliances, condensation on windows, and flu-like symptoms.
  2. As the batteries get low in your CO detector, a single-station carbon monoxide detector may beep and flash an LED light. Take out the old set of batteries and replace them with a fresh new pair. You’ll usually need to replace the batteries once or twice a year.[4]
  3. Carbon monoxide detectors only have a lifespan of about 5 years.[5] If there isn’t an emergency and you’ve already tried changing the batteries, then the chirping may mean that it’s time to replace the unit. Install a new CO detector as soon as you can so you stay safe.[6]
    • Your CO detector may also flash an LED light whenever it sounds. Check the instruction manual to see what the number of flashes and light color mean.
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Section 4 of 4:

Testing a Carbon Monoxide Detector

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  1. Find a time during your weekly routine when you can quickly test your carbon monoxide detector to ensure it’s working. That way, you can quickly catch when you need to replace batteries or the entire unit.[7]
  2. Some carbon monoxide detectors have a separate Test button while others have a joint Test/Reset button. Hold the button down any time when the alarm isn’t going off to run the test cycle.[8]
  3. The test alarm beeps sound similar to when the carbon monoxide detector goes off during a real emergency. Listen for the beeps and watch the LED light to make sure it blinks.[9]
    • Every model of carbon monoxide detector is different, so check the instructions to learn how to properly test it.
    • If your alarm doesn’t beep, then you may need to replace the batteries.
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About This Article

Hunter Rising
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing. This article has been viewed 29,013 times.
6 votes - 50%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: October 17, 2024
Views: 29,013
Categories: Disaster Preparedness
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 29,013 times.

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