Overview
Most metal detectors are designed to take a beating and keep on working, but they are precision devices that can malfunction. A malfunctioning metal detector might send false or phantom signals that indicate nonexistent finds. Needless to say, phantom signals can ruin your treasure hunt.
Why does my metal detector keep beeping? There are several reasons, and once you become familiar with them, you can fix erroneous alerts.
The best advice is to read the manual before trying anything else! The product manual is full of important information on how the metal detector works and could help solve problems or prevent them from occurring.
back to menu ↑Common Causes of False Metal Detector Signals
A METAL DETECTOR IS A COMPUTER
Like any computer, it needs to be rebooted every now and again. A hard system reset might help with falsing. Turn the detector off, open the battery cover and remove the batteries and wait a few minutes. Then turn it back on again.
LOW BATTERIES
Low batteries can cause some strange things to happen with metal detectors. It is a major reason your metal detector won’t work. Check the batteries if you get a lot of strange random beeping or alarms and replace if necessary.
SOIL MINERALIZATION
The ground is full of hundreds of minerals that can set off a metal detector. Iron is the biggest offender and in high enough concentrations can make detecting almost impossible. When gold prospecting, metal detector false signals are often caused by iron oxides, such as magnetite and hematite. Magnetite is what “black sand” is made of, and hematite is also known as “natural ore.” Iron oxides are typically found in the company of gold.
RED CLAY OR RED BRICKS
The red color comes from different minerals, including iron. There are a lot of bricks buried in the strangest of places that can cause beeping in your metal detector.
FOOTWEAR WITH METAL ACCENTS
Be sure to check your footwear before heading out treasure hunting. Metal parts of your shoes, including steel toes, metal aglets, rivets or studs can set you detector off. Run the detector over your shoes before you head out.
OTHER METAL DETECTORS
If you are hunting with a friend the machines could get their signals crossed. Metal detectors are very sensitive so be sure to spread out.
DIGGERS, SHOVELS, AND OTHER METAL OBJECTS
Tools used to dig up finds can set off a detector. Shovels, trowels, knives, and other metal tools might cause a false signal. Be sure these items are stowed as far away from the coils as possible. Jewelry might set the detector off as well. Limit the amount of metal on your body when detecting.
IMPROPER SWINGING
Try to keep your coil as close to the ground as possible (an inch or less) without scraping it. Swing the detector in a flat even arc over the ground. Moving the coils like a pendulum or bumping the ground can cause errors. It is possible that swinging over tall or wet grass can generate static electricity that might cause a beep.
BAD COIL
Coils are one of the most important parts of a metal detector bad coil symptoms can ruin a hunt. A damaged coil will not send or receive the signals correctly. Inspect the coil for visible cracks or dents and make sure the cables are snug. Symptoms of bad coil include falsing, wildly changing readings, chirping, and popping. Tap the coil with a nonmetallic object like a wooden spoon. If there is noise, the winding or shield could be loose. Try a new coil if possible.
MOISTURE IN THE CONTROL BOX OF YOUR DETECTOR
The control box is a computer and is highly susceptible to water damage. If your detector is not weather or waterproof and it gets wet, stop turn the detector off and remove the batteries right away. This will prevent the unit from short-circuiting. If you get saltwater in the control box you will need to open the unit up and dry the circuits immediately or the water will corrode the unit.
UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
Underground construction such mines, tunnels and bunkers, nuclear missile silos, and secret government labs can set off your detector. Be prepared to run if the hatch opens and a missile is launched.
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
This is a common problem if you are detecting close to power lines. This includes buried power lines you can’t see. EMI can interfere with the detectors ability to pick out metal objects.
SENSITIVITY
Check the detectors sensitivity settings. Sensitivity might be set too high or too low. Try adjusting until the beeps stop.
back to menu ↑Metal detector Troubleshooting
You can try to repair your metal detector if it is not working correctly but be careful!
- Check the warranty on the machine, the issue you are experiencing might be covered.
- Contact the manufacturer’s customer service line and do other research to see if you are experiencing a common problem and what the fixes are.
- There are many how to repair a metal detector videos on YouTube and other sites showing how to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair all the different parts of a metal detector.
- Be sure you watch a video about the right brand, have the correct tools and are comfortable working on the machine, trying to fix the problem could make it worse.
- Be warned, Opening up certain parts of the detector could void the warranty.
If the detector continues to malfunction or the beeping persists you might just have to junk it and buy a new detector. Quality metal detectors are expensive and designed to take a beating and keep working so be sure to exhaust all other options before buying a new one.
Find the right detector, then find your treasure!
