How to Troubleshoot a Wireless Alarm

Change the batteries. Any time there is a low battery signal or the remote does not seem to work properly, switch to new batteries. The exact batteries will differ for each alarm system and remote. Look at the batteries removed from the alarm to determine the appropriate battery size.

Check battery polarity. If the batteries are new and the alarm or remote is not working, open and look at the polarity. Check that the positives and negatives line up for all of the batteries.

Adjust the siren tamper plug. Whenever the tamper switch activates, grab the siren plug and adjust it until the switch turns off. According to the Friedland Alarm Manual, if the wall is uneven, the alarm may need to move so that the tamper switch does not activate due to imbalances. Check the wall while fixing the tamper plug and make sure the wall was not the cause of the switch activation.

Reset the system. Depending on the wireless alarm, there are two basic ways to reset the system: removing the battery and cutting off solar power. Take out the battery and put a towel or similar cloth over any solar panels. Uncover the solar panels and put the batteries back into the alarm after about five to 10 seconds.

Reenter the password or code. Whenever the keypad seems to not work, take a deep breath, calm down and retype the code. In most situations, the keypad problems are related to an inaccurately entered code. If the problems persist, the buttons may need replacement, which is best done by a professional. Never assume the buttons do not work unless reentering the code does not work consistently.