Iron Beeping? Here’s What It’s Trying to Tell You

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Does your iron beep for what seems to be no apparent reason?

Your iron might be trying to tell you something important! Take a look at the 6 tips below that will help you understand why your iron keeps beeping and what you can do to stop it.

If your iron is beeping, it could mean:

  1. You’ve just turned the iron on.
  2. The iron is ready to use.
  3. You’ve just changed one of the iron’s settings.
  4. You haven’t used the iron in a while.
  5. The iron’s water tank is empty.
  6. The iron needs self-cleaning.

In many cases, your iron beeping means it’s working as it should. However, it could be trying to tell you something important in other scenarios.

Ready to make your iron silent again? Let’s dive in!

Why Your Iron Beeps

It doesn’t matter what you do; your iron always seems to be beeping. The iron beeps when you use it and when you don’t.

Next, we’ll discuss 6 reasons why irons beep to help you determine whether something’s wrong with your iron and, if so, what you can do to fix it.

#1 You Turned the Iron On

From what I’ve seen, most modern irons beep as soon as they’re turned on. The beeping is a safety feature to alert you that the iron is on and will begin to heat up. If you hear a couple of beeps from your iron as soon as you plug it into the wall, it’s nothing to worry about.

#2 The Iron’s Ready to Use

Once you plug in your iron, it will take a couple of seconds for it to reach your desired temperature. How long it takes will depend on a couple of things:

  • The iron’s age.
  • The iron’s model.
  • Your preferred settings.

Your iron will start beeping once it has reached the desired temperature setting. The beeping lets you know that the iron is ready to use at your desired temperature.

A person ironing clothes
The iron will beep when it reaches the desired temperature

#3 You Changed One of the Settings

Your iron may also be beeping whenever you change one of its settings. Here are some of the adjustments that can cause a beeping iron:

  • Turning the steam setting on/off.
  • Changing the fabric dial from one setting to another.
  • Turning on the water spray.

In my experience, if your iron is beeping every time you touch one of the settings, there’s nothing to worry about. The iron is simply letting you know that a change has been made.

#4 You Haven’t Used the Iron for a While

Modern irons are built with safety features that help you to avoid accidents while using them. One common safety feature is beeping when the iron is on but left unattended for a while.

I find that every setting is different depending on the make and model of the iron. However, most irons will start beeping when left unattended and on for longer than 10 or 15 minutes.

The safety feature prevents overheating, potential fire hazards, and burnt clothes.

To stop the iron from beeping, avoid leaving it unattended at all times.

iron on ironing board
If you leave the iron on without using it, it will beep

#5 The Water Tank Is Empty

A beeping iron could indicate that it needs a little maintenance. The iron could be beeping because the water tank is empty. If your iron’s water tank is empty, it will affect the following:

  • The steam function. You will not be able to steam any of your clothes.
  • The water spray. You will be unable to use the spray to get some of the more stubborn wrinkles out of the clothes.
  • The finished product. The iron will not be able to finish the clothes properly with an empty tank. The iron is also more likely to stick and burn if the water tank is empty.

If your iron is beeping and the water tank is empty, my usual advice is to refill it to stop the noise.

#6 The Iron Needs Self-Cleaning

Some irons beep to indicate that they’re ready for a self-clean. The self-clean feature helps eliminate limescale and impurities in the iron. You should allow your iron to run a self-clean once every two weeks or more often if you live in an area with hard water.

Here’s what you should do to self-clean your iron:

  1. Unplug the iron.
  2. Fill the water tank with water.
  3. Plug the iron in and stand it upright on hell rest.
  4. Set the iron to the hottest temperature setting.
  5. Allow the iron time to heat up.
  6. Unplug the iron and take it to a sink with the soleplate facing downward.
  7. Press and hold the self-clean button until the water tank is empty.
  8. Allow the iron to cool completely.

How to Find Your Iron Manual Online

Every iron is different. Some irons beep when they’re turned on, and others don’t. Some irons beep when you change their settings, and others only beep when there’s an issue.

If general information about your iron beeping is insufficient, you’ll want to refer to the instruction manual for your specific iron.

If you can’t find it, you should be able to find your instruction manual online and download it as a PDF file. Once downloaded, you can look at the troubleshooting section. You’ll find instructions on what the beeping in your iron means.

To find your iron’s instruction manual, do the following:

  1. Open a Google search bar.
  2. Type in your brand of iron. For example, “Russell Hobbs” or “Sunbeam“.
  3. Type in the model number of your dishwasher. For example, “IR5000” or “GCSBSP-201-FFP”.
  4. Type “Manual PDF” into the search bar.
  5. Click “Search“. You should then be able to see an installation manual for your specific iron.
  6. Click on the link to download the PDF file.

You can also refer to our free resource below!

Fixing Beeping Iron

An iron that constantly beeps is annoying and can be a little concerning. Luckily, I’m sure the 6 tips mentioned in this article have helped you better understand why your iron is beeping.

Remember, there’s no reason to panic. In most cases, a beeping iron is still working normally.

Thanks for reading. If this article was useful and informational, please check out our other resources and free guides below and consider subscribing to our newsletter.

Happy ironing!

-Craig.

I've been helping homeowners with appliance repair since 2016. Starting out as an enthusiastic amateur, I've since worked with many Appliance, HVAC, and DIY experts over the last 7+ years. My mission is to help fix your appliances and prevent future issues - saving you stress, time, and money. Visit my author page to learn more! Read more
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