Whether you own your home or you’re planning to purchase in the very near future, you have likely seen the Kwikset smart key products on many of your neighbors’ doors. And while they are a convenient addition to homeowners’ coverage, they can be quite a problem if they become faulty (for example, if the lock malfunctions, or if there is a malfunction in the Bluetooth connection).
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the problems with smart keys and their solution.
Kwikset SmartKey Problems & Solutions
1. Kwikset Smart Key Won’t Turn On
If your Kwikset Smart Key does not turn on at all, there could be two reasons behind it. The first one is the battery problem. You need to replace the battery in order to fix this issue. If you have not replaced the battery yet or if you don’t know where to get one from, then check out our article on how to replace the battery in your Kwikset Smart Key lockbox.
If that doesn’t work, you can try resetting the device by following these steps: Turn off the lock using your key or a screwdriver and remove it from the door. Use a paperclip to press down on each of the two buttons on the back of the keypad until they click. Press down on both buttons at once until they click again (see image below). This should reset your smart key.
2. Your New Key Doesn’t Work
If your new key doesn’t work, first check if it’s compatible with your Kwikset SmartKey lock. The newer models require a different type of key than older ones do. You can find out which model you have by looking at the back of the lock or checking inside it for an engraved number that looks like this — KEV4-123456A1. If you don’t have that code on your lock, then it’s likely that you have an older model and will need to replace it with a new one that works with all current keys.
If it is compatible with the lock, then you might need to reprogram it by following these steps
- Insert the new key into the lock and turn it clockwise and then counterclockwise 10 times each way (20 total).
- Remove the new key and insert the original one or another spare that you have.
- Turn the original key or spare key clockwise and then counterclockwise 10 times each way (20 total).
- If it doesn’t work, you need to call an expert.
3. The Key Won’t Turn In The Lock:
If your key won’t turn in the lock, this could mean that it’s just stuck in there and needs to be pried out with a screwdriver or something similar.
If you’re having trouble getting it out, try spraying some WD-40 oil around it to loosen up any dirt or debris that may be causing it to stick. Once you’ve gotten it out, make sure that there isn’t any debris left behind before reinserting the key into its slot. This can also happen if you don’t have enough space between the edge of your door and its frame for your key to fit inside properly. If this is happening to you, try adjusting the gap between your door and frame by loosening or tightening one side of its hinges at a time until both sides match up.
4. Key Won’t Go All The Way Into The Lock
When this happens, it’s usually because you’re trying to insert your key backwards. You can tell if your key is backwards because it won’t turn in the lock when you try to turn it. To fix this problem, just flip your key over and try again.
If that doesn’t work, try putting some lubricant on your key to clean it of any debris or using a different key altogether as you might not be using the correct key.
5. Key Doesn’t Turn Smoothly
First, make sure that the key is properly inserted into the lock. If it’s not inserted all the way, it will not turn smoothly,
If this doesn’t work, then you may have to replace one or more tumbler pins in your lock. These are the small pins that allow your Kwikset smart key to rotate freely in place when inserted into a lock cylinder. When they become worn or broken over time, they will cause problems like those listed above or others as well such as sticking or jamming during use of an existing Kwikset smart key.
If the problem persists, contact an authorized service agent for assistance.
Conclusion
The above are some of the problems you might face with your lock. If your problem is different, it might be severe and you will need to call an expert who can solve this problem for you.
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