How to get into the house when the electronic lock is broken?

Don't kick the door in! If your smart lock breaks, follow these steps to troubleshoot and get you back in your home.

Smart locks, smartphones, smart homes… everything is smart these days. Smart automation saves us money and energy, and allows us to monitor our homes remotely. But when technology goes wrong, things become a little less smart and a lot more frustrating, especially when you're locked out of your home! Smart Lock - Broken ? Here are expert tips and troubleshooting steps to get you back into your home without replacing the lock.

What is Smart Lock?

'They essentially use a mechanical mechanism to lock and unlock the door, activated by a command from a phone, keypad, or biometric sensor,' says Tiffany Mayo, director of hardware product management at Yale and August Home.

In other words, a smart lock is still just a lock, and you can still open the door to your home if it stops working.

Are smart locks or electronic locks durable?

Yes, although the durability of smart locks varies by brand and price point. Most smart locks are built on solid mechanical foundations and meet all rigorous security standards.

One way to find the most durable smart lock is to check to see if it has been rated by a reputable, professional organization. ' The Building Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) sets national standards for the security, durability, and quality of finish of door hardware products, ' says Eskew. Locks are rated on a system of good (C), better (B), best (A), so your choice depends on what you value most in a smart lock. The durability rating measures how well the lock operates over time and through seasonal changes in the door due to moisture or sagging.

The 'A' in durability means that the lock has been tested to withstand salt, UV rays, moisture, and even scratches—all important factors for a durable smart lock. Companies often sell smart locks in a variety of ratings, but you should know that AAA is the best of the bunch.

How to enter the house when the electronic lock is broken

When your smart lock breaks, it's easy to panic—or at least get a little frustrated. But if you're the homeowner, don't worry. Depending on the model, capabilities, and how you connect to your smart lock, there are a few things you should try before breaking down the door.

Using the keyboard

If the smart lock is battery-powered, the first thing you should try is the keypad. If the smart lock has a touchscreen or keypad, the homeowner can enter an access code to unlock it.

Replace battery

Smart locks run on batteries, not your home's power grid, so if they break or stop responding to your app, voice, or fingerprint, try replacing the batteries in the lock. If that's the problem, the lock should work again automatically, and you won't need to reset any codes or connection settings.

Since smart locks have their own power source, keeping your lock's battery fresh and fully charged is a top priority, experts say. The typical battery life of a smart lock is about 6 months to a year. Check the battery life on the smart lock app or see if your model has an indicator light on the lock itself. Replace the battery when it's at 15% to 20%, so you have peace of mind when you need it most.

Turn off Bluetooth

Just like turning off airplane mode can help boost your cell phone signal, turning Bluetooth on and off can reboot your smart lock. If you use Bluetooth to connect your phone to the lock, turning it off and on again can reestablish the connection.

And if you want to save power when your smart lock battery is low, turning off the feature is extremely useful.

Reset Wifi

If you're locked out of your home due to a broken smart lock and using WiFi to connect, try resetting your router. This can resolve IP address issues as well as other connection issues.

Reinstall the app

If you've pressed the buttons on your phone and the lock isn't responding, try deleting and reinstalling the smart lock app. Make sure you have a way to access your email if you forget your login information and need to reset it.

Uses 9 volt battery

If your smartlock runs out of battery, you can use a 9V battery to provide temporary power. A regular 9V battery, like the kind you use in a smoke alarm. Place the battery against the emergency contacts on the front of the smartlock. This will temporarily power the keypad, allowing you to enter your code.

Reset lock

If the lock itself is not damaged, the user can reset it, update the code, and regain control through the app. If the app cannot be reset, experts recommend contacting the company or manufacturer directly for troubleshooting support.

Use the key

That's right, many smart locks also include a traditional keyhole as another door opening option, so when all else fails, just use a key.

David Pac

Update 21 July 2025