Why is my smoke detector blinking red every 15 seconds

Q: How do you reset the red light on a smoke detector?

Tip. Press the Test,” Silence” or Hush” button to reset the smoke detector if it has a blinking red light. Press *72 (star, seven, two) to reset a smoke detector on an alarm system with a keypad.

Important Information: Smoke detector manufacturers recommend replacing smoke detectors at least every 10 years. Research shows detectors fail after 10 years, 50% after 15 years!
Kidde detector User's Guide on our site: English version   or
Spanish Version
Table of Contents Show

Why is my smoke detector blinking red but no sound?
How often should red light flash on smoke detector?
Is it normal for smoke alarms to flash red?
How do you reset the red light on a smoke detector?

Kidde (for both Kidde and Firex brands) go to Kidde site
For BRK or First Alert, go to this link

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The information below is from the Kidde User's Manual Section 4:
OPERATION AND TESTING OPERATION: The smoke alarm is operating once A.C. power is applied, fresh batteries are installed and testing is complete. When the smoke alarm ionization chamber senses products of combustion, the horn will sound a loud (85db) temporal alarm until the sensing chamber is cleared of smoke particles.
This smoke alarm is equipped with red and green LED indicators. The green LED (when illuminated) indicates the presence of AC power. The red LED has four modes of operation: Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 30-40 seconds to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating properly. Alarm Condition:

When the alarm senses products of combustion and goes into alarm, the red LED will flash one flash per second. The flashing LED and pulsating alarm will continue until the air is cleared.
WHEN UNITS ARE INTERCONNECTED,only the red LED of the alarm which senses the smoke or is being tested (the originating unit) will flash. All other units in the interconnect system will sound an alarm but their red LEDs will NOT be flashing. Alarm Memory:
This smoke alarm is equipped with an alarm memory, which provides a visual indication when an alarm has been activated. The red LED will illuminate for about 1.5 seconds every 16 seconds to indicate the memory condition. The memory will remain activated until pushing the Test/Hush Button resets it. The memory will also reset if the battery voltage drops to 8 volts. In an inteconnected installation only the memory of the originating alarm will be activated.

SMART HUSH TM CONTROL: The HUSH feature has the capability of temporarily desensitizing the alarm circuit for up to 8 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking, activates the alarm. The HUSH feature cannot be activated unless the smoke alarm is sounding in the originating alarm mode.The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the TEST/HUSH button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately. The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds while in hush. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically reset after approximately 8 minutes and sound the alarm if particles of combustion are still present.
The HUSH feature can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm. Pushing the Test/Hush button on the alarm will end the hush period. NOTE: DENSE SMOKE WILL OVERRIDE THE HUSH CONTROL FEATURE AND SOUND A CONTINUOUS ALARM. CAUTION: BEFORE USING THE ALARM HUSH FEATURE, IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND BE CERTAIN A SAFE CONDITION EXISTS. LED INDICATORS:
Hush mode: The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds, indicating the smoke alarm is in the Hush mode.

TESTING: Test by pushing the Test/Hush button on the cover and hold it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if all the electronic circuitry, horn and battery are working. In an interconnected installation all interconnected alarms should sound when the test feature on any one of the interconnected alarms is activated. If no alarm sounds, check the fuse or circuit breaker supplying power to the alarm circuit. If the alarm still does not sound, the unit has defective batteries or other failure. DO NOT use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire. TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY TO ENSURE.
Notes: (BOCA - Building Officials and Code Administrators), (NFPA - National Fire Protection Association)
1984 BOCA requires 1 detector per floor
1988 BOCA requires interconnected detectors
1989 NFPA 74   requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor
1993 NFPA 72   requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor/1 within 10 feet of any bedroom, 1 in each bedroom
1999 NFPA 72   requires smoke detector replacement after 10 years maximum

Why is my smoke detector blinking red but no sound?

If your detector or alarm has a blinking or steady light with no audible alarm sound, this typically indicates that the unit is receiving power.

How often should red light flash on smoke detector?

What is this? Most smoke detectors use a red blinking LED light to alert users to an active alarm. In this case, the red LED light will flash once for every 45 seconds that the alarm is active. This is usually a common thing across smoke detector brands, regardless of the manufacturer.

Is it normal for smoke alarms to flash red?

The most likely reason for an alarm sounding - without the presence of smoke or a fire - is dust inside the cover unit. If every alarm on the system is sounding, a rapidly flashing red light on the cover of one of the units will show where the alarm was triggered.

How do you reset the red light on a smoke detector?

Tip. Press the “Test,” “Silence” or “Hush” button to reset the smoke detector if it has a blinking red light. Press "*72" (star, seven, two) to reset a smoke detector on an alarm system with a keypad.