Smoke Detector Puck Troubleshooting
How to resolve a tamper trouble condition reported on the alarm panel for a smoke detector.
Table of Contents
Overview
This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you troubleshoot common smoke detector issues. It covers basic solutions for problems such as chirping, low-battery alerts, alarm activation, and connectivity issues.
Follow the steps provided to help restore your smoke detector to normal operation. If the issue continues after completing the troubleshooting steps, please contact our Support Team for additional assistance.
Smoke Detector Tampering
Why does this happen?
Troubleshooting steps:
- Remove the sensor from the mounting plate, then re-attach it securely to ensure a proper connection.
- Check that the alignment markers on the mounting plate and the detector are perfectly aligned before pressing the sensor into place.
Smoke Detector Not Triggering
If you feel your Sensor is not triggering or communicating, please check the following:
- Verify that the batteries in the Sensor are new.
- Move the Sensor closer to the Hub.
- Make sure the Smoke Detector is mounted properly.
Smoke Detector Low Battery
Replacement steps
- Disarm the Cove alarm panel before starting.
- Turn the smoke detector counterclockwise until the back cover releases.
- Note the orientation of the (+) and (−) sides of the batteries before inserting new ones.
- Insert 2 new CR123A batteries in the correct orientation.
- Wait 20 seconds while the smoke detector resets.
⏱ 20 second wait
- Turn the smoke detector clockwise back into place on the mounting plate.
Smoke Detector Loss of Supervision
If your Smoke Detector reports a loss of supervision, it means that the sensor is not signaling to the Keypad. Please refer to this article for further information.
Smoke Detector False Alarms
Address all sensor trouble conditions immediately. A low battery, loss of supervision, or abnormal sensor behavior can all cause false alarms.
Troubleshooting steps
- Confirm the detector is a Cove sensor— not a pre-existing smoke detector already in the home.
- Review the installation location against the list below — relocate if needed.
- Replace the batteries (2× CR123A).
The sensor must NOT be installed in any of these locations:
- Directly above a sink, cooker, stove, or oven. Keep at least 10 ft (3m) from cooking appliances; 20 ft (6m) recommended near kitchens.
- Near a door or window affected by drafts, extractor fans, or air vents.
- Non-climate-controlled environments. Must stay between 40°F–100°F (4.4°C–37.8°C).
- In or below a cupboard.
- Where airflow is blocked by curtains or furniture.
- Where dirt or dust could collect and block the sensor.
- Where it could be knocked, damaged, or accidentally removed.
- Near a bathroom, sauna, or any source of steam.