What to Do if Your Keyless Lock Battery Dies

Electronic locks continue to grow in popularity due to their high level of efficiency and convenience. When compared with the hassle of keeping up with keys that can be easily misplaced or even stolen, it’s clear to see why more people are opting for keyless locks to ensure the safety of their home or business. Modern electronic keyless locks are extremely reliable, but like any other battery-powered device, there will eventually come a time when the battery’s power will begin to diminish. Fortunately, today’s keyless locks have been engineered to require only a very minimal amount of battery power per use, so battery failures will be very few and very far between. In fact, most keyless locks can operate anywhere between 3-5 years off the original batteries.

Most electronic keyless locks also come equipped with a low battery indicator, which will alert you well in advance when the battery is getting low. In addition, some locks will begin to show other signs of a low battery, such as slower response time, or requiring repeated attempts to open the lock. The most common type of low battery indicator is a colored light, but some locks also include an audio signal alert. Some keyless locks that offer software-based feature management will alert you at your PC whenever your battery life is low. The Trilogy PDL3000 features audio, visual and PC-based low battery status indicators. It is best to go ahead and replace your battery when you first start getting these low battery alerts, but should your battery die, you can replace it with relative ease.

Replacing the Battery in Your Keyless Lock

While the specifics of each keyless lock will vary, the method by which you replace the battery is pretty much the same across the board. Most of the time, all that’s needed is a screwdriver. The battery compartment is typically contained within the inside cover of the lock, so you’ll need to remove this cover with the screwdriver.

Many locks utilize a 9 volt alkaline battery, but other locks such as the Trilogy PDL7100 use four C batteries instead. Simply replace the battery (or batteries), making sure that it is firmly secured in its compartment. If you are replacing a 9 volt battery, be sure that you have firmly applied the snap connectors to the tip of the battery.

Once you have ensured that the battery is properly set in place, you can replace the cover, but be careful not to leave any wires protruding out from the lock housing; tuck the wires in a position within the housing to where they won’t be crimped when you reapply and tighten down the cover.

Performing a Manual Key Override

Another option you have at your disposal is the manual key override. This is normally used when you’re trying to gain access to an area but the lock’s battery is completely dead, and no valid user code is known. The specifics of how to perform a manual key override will vary, so you will need to consult with the user guide for your particular keyless lock to get the most accurate instructions. As an example, the Schlage FE575 requires you to insert and then rotate the key 270 degrees in order to unlock the device. Once this is done, you would then rotate the doorknob or lever to open the door.

Emergency Lock Override

Some keyless lock models also feature an emergency lock override, which completely disables the keypad in order for you to unlock the device. You’ll need to consult with your particular user guide to see exactly how to go about doing this, as it will vary depending upon the model. The emergency lock override will typically involve removing the lock’s cover and rotating a small slot on the mounting plate into the “lockout” position using a screwdriver. A key must then be used in order to retract or extend the deadbolt. The emergency lock override is considered to be somewhat of a last resort, so if a situation arises where you have to use this option, note that you may eventually need to have your keyless lock repaired or completely replaced.

Electronic locks are a consumer favorite due to their exceptional reliability, but when a lock’s battery life is getting low, it’s always good to know what to do to keep from experiencing any hiccups in your lock’s service. By keeping the above tips in mind, you won’t ever have to worry about being locked out due to a battery failure.

Trilogy PDL3000 Stand-Alone Fob / Card Access System

SCHLAGE FE575 Plymouth Keypad Lock, Elan Lever