Service & Maintenance
UPS Fault Finder
Find out what your UPS beeping, lights or error message means
A beeping UPS or a red light rarely comes with an explanation, and the manual is never nearby when you need it. Answer six questions about what your UPS is doing and get a likely cause, how urgent it looks and a few simple things you can safely check, then send it to our service team if you want help.
✓ Six questions, about two minutes
✓ Likely cause straight away
✓ Works for any brand of UPS
Service engineers across Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific Islands
UPS Fault Finder
Six questions. A clear idea of what your UPS is telling you.
Nothing here is sent anywhere until you choose to send it. Pick the answer closest to what you can see or hear, and if you are not sure about something, say so.
Beeps and lights
Are how a UPS reports a change, from running on battery to a fault that needs attention.
3 to 5 years
Typical life of standard UPS batteries, and worn batteries are a common cause of UPS alarms.
Never open it
Batteries and internal parts can hold dangerous energy even when the UPS is unplugged.
Two minutes
Six questions, a result on screen you can print, and help from our service team if you want it.
1 What is the main problem? Pick the one that best describes what you can see or hear right now.
2 Tell us a little more Your options here depend on your answer to question 1.
Answer question 1 first.
3 Is the mains power on at the site right now?
4 What kind of UPS is it?
5 How old are the batteries? Age from install or last replacement, not the age of the UPS itself.
6 Where is the UPS?
Outside our service area
Our service team covers Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. For a UPS anywhere else, contact the manufacturer's local support or an authorised service partner near you, and take your printed result with you.
Why we asked what you can see and hear
Common UPS signals
Most UPS use the same handful of beeps and lights to report what is happening. The exact patterns differ between brands and models, so treat these as a starting point and check the manual for your unit. The bar under each one shows how soon it is worth acting.
Beeps every 30 seconds
Often on battery
Commonly means the UPS has switched to battery. If the power is out, save your work.
Orange or amber light
Not on normal mains
Often on battery, correcting the voltage or in bypass. Check the display for a message.
Solid red light
Often a fault
Commonly a failed battery test, an overload or a fault. Worth booking a service.
Fast, constant beeping
Often low battery
The UPS may shut down soon. Shut equipment down in the normal way.
If a UPS is hot, smells of burning or has a swollen case, keep people away and do not touch it. If there is smoke or fire, leave the area and call emergency services. For anything else, run the Fault Finder above or call 1300 555 992. If your batteries are getting on, try the Battery Health Check.
General guidance only. Beep patterns, light colours and codes vary between brands and models. These are common patterns, not a specification for your unit.
Rather have certainty
A result on a screen is a guide. A technician on site is the answer.
Our engineers service UPS systems across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, on any brand of UPS. If the Fault Finder flagged something, this is the next step.
UPS Beeping, Lights & Fault FAQs
The questions we are asked most often about UPS alarms, warning lights and faults, and when it is time to call a technician.
Why is my UPS beeping?
A UPS beeps to tell you something has changed. Common reasons are running on battery during a power cut, a low battery, an overload, a fault, or batteries that need replacing. Beep patterns differ between models, so check the manual for your unit, and book a service if the alarm keeps coming back.
What does a red light on a UPS mean?
On most UPS models a red light means a fault, such as a failed battery test, an overload or an internal fault. The UPS may not protect your equipment in a power cut until it has been checked by a technician.
What does an orange or amber light on a UPS mean?
On many UPS models an orange or amber light means the UPS is not running on normal mains. It may be running on battery, correcting the incoming voltage, or running in bypass, where your equipment may not be protected. Check the display for a message, and book a service if it stays on while the mains power is on.
Why won't my UPS turn on?
A UPS that will not turn on commonly has no power reaching it, flat batteries, or a fault. Check that power is working elsewhere on the site, and on a desktop unit try a wall socket you know works. If it still will not start, have it checked by a qualified technician.
Why did my UPS shut off when the power went out?
A UPS that shuts off as soon as the power fails commonly has worn out batteries, or more equipment connected than it is rated for. Until it is checked, treat the connected equipment as unprotected.
Is it safe to keep using a UPS that is showing a fault?
A UPS running on battery during a power cut is doing its job. A UPS showing a battery, overload or bypass fault may not protect your equipment and should be checked soon. If a UPS is hot, smells of burning or has a swollen case, keep people away, do not touch or open it, and call a qualified technician. If there is smoke or fire, leave the area and call emergency services.
How long do UPS batteries last?
Standard UPS batteries typically last 3 to 5 years. Heat shortens that, so batteries in a warm room wear out sooner. Our Battery Health Check gives you a quick guide to where your batteries are up to.
Can a UPS be repaired?
Yes, many UPS faults can be repaired, often by replacing batteries, fans or other parts that wear out. Repairs should only be done by a qualified technician. For a small desktop UPS, replacing the unit can sometimes be better value than repairing it.
Do you service UPS systems outside Australia?
Our service team covers Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. For a UPS anywhere else, contact the manufacturer's local support or an authorised service partner near you.