Electronic locks use small, internal motors to extend or retract the lock’s bolt. Because of these small motors, electronic locks can become unresponsive if any pressure is applied to the bolt through misaligned doors, misaligned strike plates, obstructions in the latch bore, or from seasonal swelling and contracting.
Short Term Solutions:
If an electronic lock is jamming, there are some things you can do at the moment to help get the door locked or unlocked. Try the following:
Push or pull the door to help align it better while simultaneously entering the access code
Jiggle the door while inputting the access code
Replace the batteries if possible (motors with weak batteries may not have the power needed to overcome slight pressures applied to the bolt)
Use the key (if applicable) or thumb turn until the issue is resolved
Long Term Solutions:
While the above steps may allow you to continue using the lock, they should only be short term solutions until the root cause of the jam can be resolved. Having to jiggle or push and pull on a door to make a door lock work is not a great resident experience. Additionally, continued pressure on the lock’s bolt can put too much stress on the lock’s motor—reducing battery life and increasing the risk of permanent lock damage. To better solve door lock jams, try the following:
Inspect the latch bore for any debris or obstructions
Draw around the edge of the door bolt using a grease pencil, marker, or lipstick
Close the door
Use the thumb turn to lock and unlock the door a few times
Open the door and see where the bolt is catching on the strike plate
If the bolt is hitting high or low, shim the door hinges if you suspect a saggy door or move the striker plate if the striker plate is simply misaligned
If the bolt is hitting left or right, move the striker plate accordingly
If you are still experiencing issues with your lock, please contact our support team anytime using the details below.