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System malfunctions and false alarms can be exasperating, and even more concerning, might prevent your home’s security from working the way it should. Fortunately, most problems, from dead batteries to false alarms, are straightforward to correct. Take a look at our tips for troubleshooting your home alarm system in McAllen. We’ll help keep your family members safe and your system running as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In McAllen

One sensible way to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it! Modern systems let you put them in test mode to prevent you from initiating an emergency response. Once in test mode, take these steps:

• Arm your system as you typically would when heading out.
• Open a door or window that uses a contact sensor, or test other equipment. Close the door or window so it doesn’t trigger the alarm as you switch the system back on.
• Allow the alarm to go off for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security provider and to produce an entry in the alarm activity log.
• Continue testing devices as you wish
• Check the alarm’s activity log to confirm that everything’s working.

Don’t worry, monitoring agents can see that your alarm system is involved in a test. Be sure to switch off test mode when you’re done. It’s smart to test monthly or whenever you adjust your home’s internet or phone provider.

Check The Position And State Of Motion Sensors

Although an integral aspect of your alarm system, motion detectors are well known for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with some basic troubleshooting.

• Perform a visual inspection. Are there objects that could shift within range of the sensor, like a window treatment caught in a breeze?
• Is the sensor clean? Cobwebs, dirt, and debris can result in poor performance. Make sure the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector offer pet immunity you can enable? Some models can be programmed to ignore pets weighing as much as 100 pounds.
• When was the battery changed? A nearly depleted battery may affect performance or result in false alarms.
• Is a heat source affecting the sensor? Excess heat from direct sun or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries Ready And Look Out For Low Battery Notifications

One of the great things about modern home security systems is that they’ll tell you when batteries are getting low. If your system has a mobile app or control panel, you’ll usually find alerts there. Depending on the alarm, you may detect an occasional beep when batteries are low. 

Contact sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, and other wireless devices have batteries that need to be replaced every year or two. It’s best to keep batteries ready and establish a replacement schedule. Top systems also have a backup battery for the central control panel. This backup battery keeps your system running if your power goes out and should charge back up once power is back online. If it doesn’t recharge, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Simple With ADT Home Security In McAllen 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT designs systems that offer unrivaled protection and functionality. Getting into test mode is straightforward through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always get 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 perfectly suited to your McAllen home and family. Place a call to (956) 291-4643 or submit our form today!