Testing the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener

Test Mode is a great way to test the connection between your Base Station and Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener, and to test if your Alarm Listener can hear your third-party smoke and/or CO detector’s alarms. We recommend periodically placing your system into Test Mode to ensure that your Alarm Listeners are still communicating with the Base Station without any errors. 

Placing your system into Test Mode

1. Disarm your system into Off Mode

2. Press the Menu button on your Keypad

3. Enter your Master PIN

4. Scroll until Test Mode is highlighted

5. Use the right arrow key to enter Test Mode

You’ll know you are in Test Mode when you see a circle on the Keypad appear with the text, “Test each device by pressing its button”. 

Note: If you are subscribed to a professional monitoring plan, you will receive a robo call from our monitoring center asking you to confirm you placed your system into Test Mode. If you do not answer, no worries! A voicemail will be left to alert you to the system test, and it will not result in a request for dispatch.

Testing the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener

Testing the Alarm Listener’s connection with the Base Station

First, make sure that you have put your system into Test Mode by following the steps above. Then, press and hold the Test Button on the front of the Alarm Listener for 5 seconds. 

You will then see a solid red LED on the front face of the Alarm Listener, near the test button. The Base Station will also announce “Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener,” and a “Test Signal Received” event will appear on your Timeline in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App. Both messages are confirmation of a successful connection between the Base Station and Alarm Listener.

Testing the Alarm Listener is hearing your third-party smoke and/or CO detectors

Confirm there is a solid red LED on the front face of the Alarm Listener, near the test button, and ensure your system is in Test Mode. If you do not see a red LED on the Alarm Listener, press its Test Button for 5 seconds.

Next, initiate a test alarm on your detector. If you are not sure how to initiate a test alarm on your detector, please refer to its manual. After the test alarm is initiated, the Base Station will announce “Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener,” and a “Test Signal Received” event will appear on your Timeline in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App. Both messages are confirmation of a successful connection between the Alarm Listener and third-party detectors.

Once you have finished testing your Alarm Listener, press the left arrow key on the Keypad’s screen to exit Test Mode.

Troubleshooting the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Listener

If you are having trouble testing your Alarm Listener, first make sure that the LED on the front face of the Alarm Listener is solid Red. If it is not, press and hold the Test Button for 5 seconds. 

Next, you’ll want to confirm that the Alarm Listener’s battery is functioning properly. The Alarm Listener takes one CR123A lithium 3 volt battery and has a life expectancy of up to 3 years, depending on placement and usage. 

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that the Base Station is centrally located within your home, and free from any neighboring wireless devices. We recommend having the Base Station elevated at least 3 feet off the ground on a non-dense surface, like glass or wood. We also recommend avoiding placing the Base Station within a cabinet or enclosed space, as this can weaken its connection with other devices.