ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving Akron & Surrounding Areas
Mother and child in front of a window with an ADT contact sensor
August 05, 2026

Tips For Troubleshooting Your Home Alarm System In Akron

System hiccups and false alarms can be exasperating, and more importantly, might prevent your home’s security from working how it should. Luckily, most problems, from false alarms to dead batteries, are simple to correct. Check out our suggestions for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Akron. We’ll help you keep your family members safeguarded and your system running the way it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Akron

One of the most effective ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it! Newer systems have a test mode so you don’t accidentally trigger an emergency response from monitoring agents. After moving to test mode, take these steps:

  • Activate your system as you normally would when going out.
  • Open a window or door that has a contact sensor, or try to trip something else. Close the door or window once you’re done so it doesn’t trigger the alarm when you reactivate the system.
  • Allow the alarm to go off for 60 seconds to make sure a transmission is dispatched to the security company and an entry is made in the alarm activity log.
  • Proceed to test sensors as needed
  • Check the alarm’s activity log to validate that everything’s working.

Don’t worry, monitoring professionals will be able to see that your system is undergoing a test. Just make sure to switch out of test mode when complete. It’s a good idea to test once a month or whenever you adjust your home’s phone or internet service.

Inspect The Positioning And State Of Motion Detectors

Although an essential part of your alarm system, motion sensors are well known for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with a few straightforward troubleshooting steps.

  • Conduct a physical inspection. Is there something that could shift within the sensor’s detection zone, like drapery blown in a breeze?
  • Is the sensor clean? Grime, dirt, and cobwebs can lead to poor performance. Ensure the device is clean.
  • Does the motion detector come with pet immunity you can turn on? Some models can be programmed to ignore pets up to 100 pounds.
  • When was the battery changed? A low battery might affect performance or cause false alarms.
  • Is a heat source impacting the sensor? Too much heat from a fireplace, direct sun, or something else can set off an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Watch Out For Low Battery Signals

One helpful aspect of modern home security systems is that they’ll tell you when batteries are dying. If your system is equipped with a mobile app or control panel, you’ll usually see messages there. Depending on your alarm, you might notice an intermittent beep when batteries are low. 

Motion sensors, contact sensors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that should be replaced every 1 to 2 years. It’s wise to keep batteries ready and create a replacement schedule. Many systems also have a rechargeable backup battery for the central control panel. This battery helps keep your system functioning if you lose power and should charge back up once the electricity is working again. If it fails to recharge, you will need to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Akron 

As the leading name in home security, ADT designs systems that offer unsurpassed protection and functionality. Accessing test mode is straightforward through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always receive notifications when a sensor battery is low. Get in touch with Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to get more details and design a system ideal for your Akron home. Call (330) 355-9089 or fill out our form today!

Start the Security System Cost Quiz to Receive Personalized ADT System Suggestions