How to Reset Kidde Smoke Alarm? Easy Steps

If you’re trying to find the correct guide on how to reset Kidde smoke alarm, you’re on the right page!

This tutorial will be complete as we’ll not only teach you the steps of resetting your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, but we will also detail out the reasons why you need to do so!

You can reset your AC or DC Kidde smoke alarm by taking the power to the alarm first, and then by pressing the reset button. You’ll know that the reset process has been successful when the unit chirps/beeps once.

Learning the reset process of the Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is significant.

However, knowing when to do the reset is also something you need to be fully aware of. So, why, and when should you reset your Kidde smoke alarm?

When Should You Reset Your Kidde Smoke Alarm?

Resetting your Kidde smoke alarm could be an effective way of clearing out a couple of problems and errors on the device.

In fact, here are some of the most common situations and scenarios on when to reset it:

• When it’s beeping/chirping randomly
• After a false alarm
• After you replace the battery
• When it chirps or beeps because of an alarm or warning

So, now that we know these, what’s the complete process of how to reset Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide alarm?

How to Reset Kidde Smoke Alarm? – Complete Steps

In our guide, we’ll give and teach you the process of resetting both the AC and DC smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, too!

We designed it this way so you don’t have to search for other sources to learn how to reset it!

Resetting AC Unit Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm

The Kidde AC smoke alarm is the unit that’s equipped with a battery for backup purposes.

Here’s the process of how you reset it.

Step #1: Turn the Alarm’s Power Off

The first thing you want to do is turn the entire unit’s power off. If you have a switch, switch it off, and then turn it off at the circuit breaker/mains.

NOTE: Even if you have a switch installed, don’t just rely on switching it off.

Make sure that no energy is flowing to the device to ensure heightened security.

Step #2: Dismount the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm

Once the power’s off, dismount the alarm from the bracket. Here’s how you can do this:

1. Twist or rotate the alarm in the direction of the OFF arrow.
2. Then, squeeze the locking clips/arms on the sides to disconnect the AC power.
3. Carefully pull the connector away from the alarm.

Step #3: Remove the Battery of the Unit

When you’ve dismounted the alarm, the next step is to remove the battery.

Removing the battery is easy, you simply have to find the lever with the battery sign on it.

Then, pull the lever and the battery tray should come out. Take out the battery and close the tray.

Step #4: Press and Hold the Test/Reset Button

When no power is flowing through the device, press and hold the Test button for 15 to 30 seconds.

You can also wait for the beeping/chirping sound to turn off before releasing the button. 

NOTE: Don’t worry, it’ll usually chirp as a sign that it’s undergoing the reset process.

If it does, wait for about three (3) seconds and it will turn off by itself.

Step #5: Reassemble the Unit Completely

Lastly, reassemble the unit by doing the opposite process. Don’t bother figuring out how you can do it, here’s a quick summary of what we’ve done!

1. Put or install the battery back to the AC-powered smoke alarm.
2. Install the smoke alarm again to the mounting bracket.
3. Power the device on (at the switch and/or at the breaker).

You’ll know that the alarm has been reset successfully when it chirps/beeps once (1).

This also means that the detector is armed with the alarm and that it’s ready to give you signs and warnings again.

Resetting DC Unit Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Another unit is the DC unit, which is the model that’s not equipped with an AC port, making it only rely on batteries for power.

Here’s how to reset a DC-powered Kidde smoke alarm: 

Step #1: Remove the Top Cover of the Unit

The first step is to remove the cover of the device. You can do this by rotating it counterclockwise or to the direction where the OFF arrow is pointing at.

Once done, the interior of the alarm will show, preparing you for the next step, which will be to…

Step #2: Take the Battery Out

You might not notice where the battery tray is at first, so, find the part where the battery tray’s lever is located.

NOTE: The battery tray will have a battery symbol embedded in it. You should be able to find or locate it swiftly and easily.

Once you’re able to find it, take the battery out completely. Carefully pull the battery out from the tray.

Step #3: Press and Hold the Test/Reset Button

When the battery is out, press and hold the Test/Reset button for at least 15 seconds.

If the alarm chirps or sounds, don’t panic, it’s usually just a sign that the unit is being reset.

It should automatically go off in three (3) to five (5) seconds.

Step #4: Reinstall the Battery

Then, lastly, reinstall the battery and mount the alarm back to the brace securely. Power the device on to prepare and the alarm for use.

NOTE: Before powering it on, make sure that the entire unit has been securely placed.

If there are loose wires or arm connectors, it might not be active or it could impose an electrical leak, which is dangerous for you and the people around you.

That’s it!

Once you’ve gone through this 4-step process, you can expect your DC-powered smoke alarm to be reset!

Similar to the process of resetting your AC-powered alarm, you should hear a single chirp/beep to signal that the reset has successfully transpired!

Resetting Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Didn’t Work

Should the problems be persistent even after you’re done resetting both the AC and DC-powered detectors, contact Kidde because it might be a hardware problem.

There’s a chance that your device is still within warranty, so let them know about it because a replacement might be what you need.

Otherwise, you can contact them and narrate what happened.

It’s also worth letting them know what actions you’ve done so they can help you troubleshoot it further or assist you with replacement.

NOTE: Most of the Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have a 5-year warranty. Check the purchase date of your device and let Kidde know about it!

Read Next: Kidde Smoke Alarm Going Off For No Reason?

Bottom Line

The process of resetting your Kidde smoke and CO alarm is easy! You simply have to cut its power, remove the battery, and proceed to reset it by pressing and holding the Test or Reset button!

A lot of people get perplexed in finding the method of how to reset the Kidde smoke alarm.

With this guide handy, you will no longer have to worry about it because this is equipped with complete details as to how it’s done!

This tutorial is unlike other guides as this offers the step-by-step procedure in intricate detail!