What Does the “Check” Message Mean On My Alarm System?
If you’ve ever seen the “Check” error message on your alarm keypad, you may be wondering what it means and what to do about it. This article will explain why this error message is displayed and provide instructions on how to clear it.
What does the “Check message mean on my alarm system? The Check message indicates a trouble condition with one of the alarm devices. Common causes are, an open cover on a wireless sensor, a sensor’s defective tamper switch, a sensor being removed from its mounting bracket, or a wireless sensor being too far from the wireless receiver.
What causes the “Check” message?
One of the security features of Ademco and Honeywell alarm systems is the supervision of all the system’s devices.
The Check message is a universal trouble code for either a tamper trouble or supervision failure on a wireless sensor.
Ademco and Honeywell alarm systems display a “check” message followed by fast beeping when:
- There is an open cover on a wireless sensor
- Defective tamper switch inside a wireless sensor
- A smoke or carbon monoxide detector has been removed from its mounting bracket
- A wireless sensor is not communicating with the alarm panel.
Let’s take a look at each of these causes and how to fix them.
Open cover on a wireless sensor
Your alarm system has sensors that detect when a door or window is opened and motion sensors that detect when someone enters the room.
There are tamper switches in these sensors to alert you when someone tries to disable or tamper with one of them.
How do you know which sensor is in trouble?
On alphanumeric keypads, you will see a “Check” message followed by the description and zone number of the sensor.
On fixed English keypads, you will see the “Check” message followed by a number on your keypad. This is the zone number of the sensor with the open cover.
Examples of wireless sensors
- Door sensors
- Window sensors
- Motion detectors
- Glass break sensors
After you find the sensor in trouble, check to see if the cover is open. Sometimes the cover opens on its own if the tab that holds the sensor closed has been bent.
Another reason is if the cover was not closed properly after replacing the battery inside the sensor.
To clear the “Check” message, you need to close the cover of the affected sensor.
If the sensor is installed on a door or window, make sure the door or window is closed before trying to clear the “Check” message from the keypad.
After closing the cover on the sensor, enter your user code followed by the [off] key. You may have to enter this command twice to clear the Check message.
You may need to contact your alarm company if the cover is broken and doesn’t stay closed.
A defective tamper switch inside a wireless sensor
Often, the Check message is caused by a defective tamper switch inside the sensor. This sometimes happens to window sensors exposed to direct sunlight for many years.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about a defective sensor. You will have to contact your alarm company to replace the sensor.
A smoke or carbon monoxide detector has been removed from its mounting bracket.
Removing a smoke or carbon monoxide detector from its mounting bracket will cause the Check message.
This usually happens when replacing the batteries in the detector. The only way to clear this message is to put the sensor back in its mounting bracket.
Remount the detector and enter your user code followed by the [off] key to clear the Check message.
Like other sensors, a defective tamper switch inside the smoke or carbon monoxide detector will also cause a check message.
If you have not removed the smoke or carbon monoxide detector, you can try to clear the Check message by twisting the sensor off its bracket and twisting it back on to reset the tamper switch inside the sensor.
Enter your user code followed by the [off] key to clear the Check message.
You will have to contact your alarm company if the smoke or carbon monoxide detector continues to cause a Check message due to a defective tamper switch.
A wireless sensor is not communicating with the alarm panel.
If a wireless sensor is not communicating with the alarm panel, it will display a Check message followed by the zone description.
The most common causes for a wireless sensor not communicating are:
Dead battery: The battery in the wireless transmitter has died, and the alarm system is no longer receiving signals from the wireless device.
To fix this, you will need to replace the battery in the wireless device and then enter a disarm command at the keypad by entering your user code + [off]
The sensor is out of range: All of the wireless devices in your home communicate with a wireless receiver installed somewhere in your home.
The sensor will cause a “Check” trouble condition if the wireless sensor is too far from the receiver and fails to transmit a signal to the system.
You can perform a Go No Go test on most Honeywell alarm panels to determine if a sensor is out of range.
Make sure the system is ready to arm by closing all doors and windows.
Enter the master user code followed by [#] + [4] to enter the Go No Go test mode.
Open and close the window or door in “Check condition. The keypad will beep three times to indicate the sensor is within range.
If the keypad does not beep three times, the sensor is out of range, and its signal may not be reaching the system’s wireless receiver.
You may need to install a wireless repeater or relocate the wireless receiver if one or some of your wireless sensors are out of range.
To exit the GO No Go test mode, enter your user code + [off]
Interference: Metal objects, thick walls, or other electronic devices can cause interference that prevents the signal from reaching the alarm panel.
The most common cause of wireless interference is if you have installed a WiFi mesh network in your home and one of the WiFi access points is too close to one or some of the wireless alarm sensors.
To correct this, power down the WiFi access point to see if the “Check” message clears. If it does, you must relocate the access point at least ten feet from the wireless sensor.
Conclusion
A “Check” message means there is a problem with one of the sensors in your home security system.
The most common cause for a check error is an open cover on a door or window sensor.
You can clear the Check message by simply closing the cover on the affected sensor. If the sensor is installed on a door or window, make sure the door or window is closed before trying to clear the “Check” message from the keypad.
If you are having trouble with a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, try resetting the tamper switch by twisting the sensor off its bracket and then back on again.
If you continue to have trouble with a sensor, you may need to contact your alarm company for assistance.
Most importantly, do not ignore a Check message as it could indicate a serious problem with your home security system.
