Got a call for a false alarm at a new build, the keypad kept showing 'trouble'

The homeowner was freaking out because the system wouldn't arm. I checked the usual stuff, battery and connections, but it was fine. Then I remembered a trick from a training video: I pulled the main power for the panel for a full minute, not just a quick reset. When I powered it back on, the trouble cleared and it armed right away. It was just a weird software glitch. What's your go-to fix when you get a trouble signal that makes no sense?

3 comments

3 Comments

black.mark3mo ago

Full power cycle is a solid move. Just a heads up though, pulling main power on some newer panels can cause a tamper alert. I usually try the quick breaker reset first.

burns.richard3mo ago

Actually, most panels need a full 30 seconds without power to clear memory properly. A quick breaker flip often won't do it.

gibson.robert28d ago

The 30 second thing is real, I learned that the hard way on a Vista 20p a few years back. A quick off and on and the panel just kept beeping like nothing happened, but waiting a full minute and it cleared the trouble code no problem. The tamper alert thing Black Mark mentioned can be a pain, but I just disarm the system before pulling the main breaker and that usually keeps it quiet. If it does go off, hitting the disarm code right after power comes back has always stopped mine from making a scene.