Which ghd model do I have?
Where to find the model number on your ghds, and how the hinge and power switch tell you whether they can be repaired.
11 October 2026Read
We regularly hear from people whose ghds have "suddenly stopped heating and started beeping". Sometimes that's a fault. But quite often it's a safety feature doing exactly what it was designed to do.
What sleep mode does
ghd says its straighteners switch the heated plates off if they're left unused for 30 minutes. It's there to reduce the risk of a fire or a burn if they're left switched on by mistake. ghd describes the light blinking and a warning beep sounding every 20 seconds or so while the straighteners are in sleep mode.
According to ghd, all of its straighteners have sleep mode except the older model 3.1b.
How to wake them up
Switch the straighteners off, then switch them on again. They'll start heating as normal.
Sleep mode or a fault?
A few quick checks usually tell you which it is:
- Sleep mode: the beeping starts after they've been left alone for a while, and they heat up normally once switched off and on again.
- Probably a fault: they beep soon after you switch them on, they won't heat up at all, or they go into sleep mode while you're actually using them.
Beeping straight after switch-on is commonly caused by a failed resistor on the circuit board. Our articles on ghd beeping and the R8 and R11 resistors explain why.
Don't rely on it
Sleep mode is a backup, not a reason to leave straighteners on. Always switch off at the wall when you've finished, and let them cool on a heatproof surface. Our guide to straightener safety at home has more.
If yours are beeping when they shouldn't be, use our fault finder or book a repair.
