Understanding Why Your August Lock is Offline
An "Offline" status on your August Smart Lock means it has lost its connection to the internet. When this happens, you lose access to all of its remote features, such as locking or unlocking your door from anywhere, checking the activity feed, or using voice assistants.
The lock itself can operate in two ways: via Bluetooth for short-range local control, and via Wi-Fi for long-range remote control. The remote Wi-Fi capability is managed by the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. Understanding which part of the connection has failed is key to fixing the problem quickly.
## Step 1: Troubleshoot Bluetooth Connectivity (Local Control)
First, let's determine if the lock is working locally. Stand within 10-15 feet of your door.
- Enable Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your smartphone's settings.
- Open the August App: Try to lock or unlock your door using the app.
- Check the Result:
- If it works, you know the lock itself is powered and functioning correctly. The problem is with the August Connect bridge or your Wi-Fi network. Proceed to Step 2.
- If it does not work, the issue is with the lock's power or its direct connection to your phone. Check the lock's batteries and replace them if necessary. Try rebooting your phone as well.
## Step 2: Troubleshoot the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge
If Bluetooth control works, the problem lies with the bridge that connects your lock to the internet. The August Connect is the small, square device plugged into a power outlet near your door.
- Check the LED Light: The status light on the front of the Connect gives important clues.
- Solid Green: The Connect is online and working properly. The issue might be a temporary server problem.
- Flashing Green: The Connect is trying to establish a connection.
- Solid or Flashing Red: There is a connection error. The Connect cannot connect to your Wi-Fi or to the lock.
- Reboot the Connect: Unplug the August Connect from the wall outlet. Wait for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait a few minutes for the LED light to turn solid green. This simple reboot resolves most issues.
- Check Proximity: Ensure the Connect is plugged into an outlet that is within 15-30 feet of the August Smart Lock. It needs a strong Bluetooth signal to the lock and a strong Wi--Fi signal to your router.
## Step 3: Check Your Home Wi-Fi Network
If the Connect is still showing an error after a reboot, the problem may be with your home network.
- Verify Internet is Working: Use another device on the same Wi-Fi network to make sure your internet service is active.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your internet router from power, wait 60 seconds, and plug it back in. This can clear up network glitches that are preventing the Connect from getting online.
- Check Wi-Fi Band: The August Connect only works with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. It is not compatible with 5 GHz networks. If you have a dual-band router, ensure that the 2.4 GHz band is enabled and that the Connect is joined to that specific network.
- Recent Network Changes: Did you recently change your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) or password? If so, you will need to reset the August Connect and set it up again with the new credentials through the August app.
## Step 4: Relaunch the App and Check Batteries
- Restart the August App: Force close the August app on your smartphone and then reopen it. This can sometimes resolve caching issues that make the app display an incorrect "Offline" status.
- Check Lock Batteries: While this usually affects Bluetooth first, very low battery levels in the smart lock itself can sometimes cause intermittent connectivity issues with the Connect bridge. Replace the batteries in the lock if they are low.
By following these steps, you can systematically identify the point of failure and get your August Smart Lock back online, restoring its powerful remote access features.