Space Heater Beeping Like Crazy? Here’s Why

assorted space heaters

Is your space heater beeping like crazy? It might be trying to keep you safe. Here’s why.

Picture this. It’s the middle of the afternoon, and you’re comfortably watching your favorite TV show. It was a hard day, so you’re kicking back with some crisps and a glass of wine.

All of a sudden, your space heater starts beeping like it’s at a rave.

You don’t want to get up, so you wait a couple of minutes, hoping that the problem will resolve itself, but it doesn’t.

A little frustrated, you finally get off the bed and walk towards the unit looking for answers, but you find none.

Does this sound familiar? If so, I’m sorry to hear that.

Not too long ago, I went through something very similar, so believe me when I tell you that I understand your frustration.

But not all is lost.

To fix my issue, I had to some research and gather information. Information that I now want to share it with you to help you through this inconvenience.

This is why I’ve prepared the list below, where you’ll find the most common causes to this occurrence, and the simplest steps you can take to address them. If you can follow them to a tee and be patient, I promise we’ll get to the bottom of this.

Sounds good? Let’s dive in!

Fixing a Beeping Space Heater

I know how intolerable the incessant beeping sound can be. To this day, it still haunts my dreams.

After all, our home is supposed to be a place of solace, peace and quiet, so having anything disrupt this, is unacceptable. That being said, let’s not do anything rash.

I know you might be tempted to pry your appliance open right away and start looking for answers in there, but please, wait. We will test your internal components, but only as a last resort.

Here are 5 reasons why your space heater is beeping like crazy:

  1. Safety notifications
  2. Input confirmation
  3. A failing component
  4. A dirty filter
  5. Overheating

Finding the Right Instructions

Now, these are general factors that would apply to most space heater models, but I still want to make sure you’re following the right steps for your specific unit.

In most cases, you will be able to find detailed instructions in your user manual. However, if you’ve owned your appliance for a long time, you likely don’t have it anymore.

In this case, all you need to do is locate your model number, and type “(Your Make & Model Number) User Manual Pdf” on Google. This browser search should return relevant results, and direct you to your user manual.

In order to find your model number, you’ll have to look around your unit. Some machines have a label at the front, the back, or the sides. However, if this is not your case, you might have to look for it inside the heater, near some internal component.

#1 Safety Notifications

Your appliance might just be trying to keep you safe when it beeps

Some space heater models are built with beeping noises to notify you in case you accidentally left them on.

If you think about it, even though they’re quite safe, space heaters will always be a fire hazard. Having a safety mechanism to remind the users that it’s time to turn the appliance off, is crucial.

Especially when it comes to propane models

I wanted to start off this list by covering this possibility since it could save you a lot of time, and eliminate the need to open the unit. 

Solution: There’s not much to do here. Try to operate your appliance a little more consciously, and, if necessary, set reminders on your phone to turn it off.

This should get rid of the beeping.

#2 Input Confirmation Sounds

What if I told you there might be nothing wrong with your space heater?

Some models are just noisy, and will beep every time you adjust your settings. I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but, if it makes you feel any better, this happens in range hoods and ceiling fans too, so you’re not alone.

Now, I know that’s not very comforting, so let me offer you an alternative. As a last resort, you could try disabling the sound source within the appliance. But let me warn you that this could void your warranty.

Solution: Please follow these steps to access the sound source:

  1. Carefully unplug the appliance, and let it cool down completely
  2. Turn it around, undo the screws holding the back panel in place, and then remove it
  3. Expose your heater’s guts
  4. Locate the circuits behind the outer control buttons, you should see a tiny circle that resembles a speaker
  5. Delicately disconnect it, and see if that works

Again, this should only be done as a last resort, and if you just can’t live with the beeping noise. Personally, I strongly advise against doing this, but I want to provide you with all the options out there.

This is one of those situations where you want to make sure you have your user manual handy, as it can help you identify the sound source, and avoid messing with other components by mistake.

#3 A Failing Component

Your appliance heating components might need replacement

There’s a very good chance your space heater might just be trying to let you know that you need to take a look inside it.

Some models come equipped with self-detection features, which notify you when an internal component is failing. While the incessant beeping noise might be annoying, it’s great to have this safety measure built into your unit.

As you know, your machine is made up of several parts which fulfill a different purpose. For example, there’s a heating element to create heat, a thermostat to regulate it, and a switch to blow if the temperatures get too high. They’re all crucial, and interdependent.

If your space heater is beeping like crazy, it would be a good idea to see whether something’s malfunctioning.

#4 A Dirty Filter

a dirty filter
Keeping your air filter clean is essential

Yet another common reason why your space heater might be beeping like crazy, is a dirty air filter.

You might be wondering why on Earth you would need an air filter for a heating appliance. And the answer is simple, to protect it from the outside world.

You see, while your space heater will not pull in air like an air conditioner or a dehumidifier would, it’s still constantly exposed to harmful particles in the environment.

Failing to clean this part regularly can result in dirt and debris buildup, which compromises airflow, and makes it hard for your space heater to dissipate heat appropriately. It is of the utmost importance that you give this component regular maintenance.

Solution: Ideally, you want to clean your space heater’s air filter once every month and replace it twice a year. To clean it, please follow these steps.

  1. Carefully unplug the appliance, and let it cool down completely
  2. Remove the frontal panel, and expose the filter (normally, this should be easy, and require you to undo no screws)
  3. Remove the filter, and wash it with dish soap under running water.
  4. Let it dry completely, and then vacuum off any remaining debris

Please note that this will only work for filters that are newer than 6 months. If yours is older than that, no amount of cleaning will make it work normally again, and you’ll have to buy a replacement.

#5 Overheating

Last, but definitely not least, is overheating.

This condition is extremely dangerous and detrimental to your appliance’s lifespan and overall functionality. It occurs when your unit becomes unable to self regulate its internal temperature, either due to a failing thermostat, or a heating element going supernova. 

A space heater that keeps beeping like crazy, even when you’ve addressed all other potential culprits in this list, could be a clear sign of overheating.

It is of the utmost importance that, as soon as you suspect this to be the source of your problem, you stop using your space heater and open it to find the part responsible for this occurrence.

Solution: Please follow these steps to test your internal components:

  1. Carefully unplug the appliance, and let it cool down completely
  2. Turn it around, and undo the screws holding the back wall panel in place
  3. Expose the unit’s internal components
  4. Locate your thermostat, thermal fuse, heating element and pilot
  5. Using a multimeter, test them for continuity

Should any complement give off “null” readings, it means it’s dead, and requires urgent replacing.

Conclusion

To have your space heater keep beeping like crazy can be a modern-day nightmare. Whether it’s notifying you of a malfunctioning component, or simply reminding you to turn it off, it’s undeniable that it can disrupt your home’s peace and quiet.

What a disaster!

Fortunately, as I hope you’ve learned in this piece, addressing most of the causes behind this situation is fairly simple and not very time-consuming.

More often than not, being more conscious about how you operate your space heater, cleaning the air filter regularly, and checking for a bad heating element, is all it takes to keep it in tip-top shape.

Thank you so much for sticking with me all the way to the end. If you found this article helpful, why not become an expert in the subject through our other incredible resources below?

I wish you the best of luck!

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
0:00
0:00