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System malfunctions and false alarms can be aggravating, and more importantly, might prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Luckily, most troubles, from dead batteries to false alarms, are straightforward to remedy. Explore our tips for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Texarkana. We’ll help you keep your household safeguarded and your system running the way it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Texarkana

One sensible way to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it! Modern systems permit you to place them in test mode to keep you from triggering an emergency response from monitoring agents. After switching to test mode, follow these steps:

• Turn on your system as you typically would when you exit your home.
• Open a window or door protected by a contact sensor, or try to trip another device. Close the door or window so it doesn’t trip the alarm when you reactivate the system.
• Allow the alarm to sound for 60 seconds to make sure a message is sent to the security company and an entry is created in the alarm activity log.
• Continue testing sensors as you wish
• Inspect the systems’s activity log to verify proper function.

Don’t worry, monitoring specialists will know that your system is undergoing a test. Be sure to switch out of test mode when complete. It’s wise to test every other month or whenever you make changes to your home’s phone or internet provider.

Check The Position And Condition Of Motion Detectors

Although an crucial element of your alarm system, motion detectors are well known for false alarms. Prevent them with a few basic troubleshooting steps.

• Conduct a visual inspection. Is there anything that could shift within the detection path of the sensor, like a curtain blown in a breeze?
• Is the sensor dirty? Dirt, cobwebs, and debris can lead to issues. Check to confirm the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector offer pet immunity you can turn on? Some can be configured to ignore pets up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery changed? Low batteries may affect performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is the sensor aimed toward a source of heat? Excess heat from sunlight or a fireplace can set off an alarm.

Keep Batteries Ready And Watch Out For Low Battery Notifications

One of the great aspects of new home security systems is that they’ll alert you when batteries are dying. If your system has a control panel or smartphone app, you’ll often see messages there. Depending on your system, you may detect an occasional beep when batteries are getting low. 

Motion sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that need to be replaced every so often. It’s a good idea to keep batteries on hand and establish a replacement schedule. Some systems also come with a backup battery for the main control panel. This battery helps keep your system functioning if your power goes out and should recharge once power is back online. If it doesn’t recharge, you will need to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Effortless With ADT Home Security In Texarkana 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT builds systems that supply unrivaled functionality and protection. Switching to test mode is easy through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always get notifications when a sensor battery is low. Reach out to Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to get more details and design a system ideal for your Texarkana home. Place a call to (870) 705-5023 or submit our form today!