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System malfunctions and false alarms can be exasperating, and even worse, might prevent your home’s security from doing its job effectively. Thankfully, most problems, from dead batteries to false alarms, are straightforward to remedy. Explore our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Buffalo. We’ll help keep your family safeguarded and your system operating as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Buffalo

One of the best ways to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it yourself! Modern systems let you put them in test mode to avoid initiating an emergency response. After switching to test mode, follow these steps:

• Turn on your system as you would when leaving.
• Open a door or window that uses a contact sensor, or try to trip another sensor. Shut the door or window once you’re finished so it doesn’t trip the alarm when you switch 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 activity log.
• Continue testing sensors as you wish
• Inspect the system activity log to validate that everything’s working.

Don’t worry, monitoring specialists can see that your system is involved in a test. Just be sure to switch off test mode when complete. It’s wise to test once a month or whenever you change your home’s phone or internet connectivity.

Inspect The Position And Condition Of Motion Sensors

Although an integral element of your alarm system, motion sensors are prone to false alarms. Prevent them with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

• Conduct a physical inspection. Are there objects that could shift within the detection path of the sensor, like a window treatment taken by a breeze?
• Is the sensor dirty? Dirt, cobwebs, and debris can result in malfunctions. Make sure the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector have pet immunity you can enable? Some sensors can be set to disregard pets up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery changed? A low battery can impact performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is a heat source impairing the sensor? Excessive heat from a fireplace, direct sun, or something else can set off an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Pay Attention To Low Battery Warnings

One of the great things about modern home security systems is that they’ll tell you when batteries are running low. If your system has a app or control panel, you’ll usually find messages there. Depending on the alarm, you might notice an occasional beep when batteries are low. 

Contact sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, and other wireless tools have batteries that need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years. It’s wise to keep batteries on hand and create a replacement schedule. Top systems also include a rechargeable backup battery for the primary control panel. This battery helps keep your system functioning if your power goes out and should recharge itself once power is back online. If it doesn’t, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Buffalo 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT designs systems that provide superior functionality and convenience. Getting into test mode is easy through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always get alerts when a sensor battery is running low. Reach out to Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to get more details and design a system ideal for your Buffalo home. Dial (716) 219-8231 or submit our form today!