August Smart Lock Pairing Issues: A Troubleshooting Guide

Solving August Smart Lock Pairing Issues

The August Smart Lock adds convenience and security to your home, but pairing issues during setup can be a frustrating obstacle. Whether you're trying to connect the lock to your phone for the first time or pairing it with an August Connect Wi-Fi bridge for remote access, this guide will help you resolve the most common problems.

Pairing failures are almost always related to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or proximity. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can establish a stable connection and get your smart lock working as intended.

Understanding the Pairing Process

To troubleshoot effectively, it's important to understand the two main types of pairing:

1. Lock to Phone (Bluetooth): Your August Smart Lock communicates directly with your smartphone using Bluetooth. This is how you control the lock when you are at home and within range.
2. Lock to Connect Bridge (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi): The August Connect Wi-Fi bridge acts as a translator. It talks to your lock via Bluetooth and then connects to your home's Wi-Fi network. This is what allows you to control the lock and receive notifications when you are away from home.

Most issues occur in one of these two communication links.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Let's diagnose and fix your pairing problem.

Part 1: Troubleshooting Lock-to-Phone Pairing

If you're unable to complete the initial setup of the lock in the August Home app, focus on these steps.

Step 1: Check Your Phone's Settings

1. Enable Bluetooth: Go to your phone's settings and ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
2. Grant App Permissions: Go to your phone's app settings, find the August Home app, and make sure you have granted it permission to use Bluetooth and Location Services.
3. Restart Bluetooth: Toggle your phone's Bluetooth off and then on again.

Step 2: Check the Smart Lock

1. Check Batteries: Low batteries are a common cause of pairing failure. Replace the batteries in your smart lock with a fresh set of high-quality, non-rechargeable alkaline batteries.
2. Proximity: Stand within 5-10 feet of the August Smart Lock during the entire pairing process. Do not walk around the house.
3. Reboot the Lock: Remove one battery from the lock, wait 10 seconds, and then re-insert it. This will reboot the lock's internal processor.

Step 3: Reset and Retry

If the above steps don't work, a factory reset may be necessary. This will remove all existing users and settings.

1. Find the small, red reset button on the back of the lock (on the wing latches).
2. Press and hold this button for 5 seconds.
3. The lock will flash red and make a sound.
4. You can now attempt the setup process again from the beginning in the August app.

Part 2: Troubleshooting August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge Pairing

If your lock works fine via Bluetooth but you can't get it to connect to the Wi-Fi bridge, follow these steps.

Step 1: Check Placement and Environment

1. Proximity to Lock: The August Connect must be plugged into a power outlet within 15-20 feet of your August Smart Lock to maintain a stable Bluetooth connection.
2. Proximity to Router: The Connect also needs a good Wi-Fi signal. It should ideally be in the same room or the next room over from your Wi-Fi router. Avoid plugging it in behind thick furniture or large metal objects.
3. Use the 2.4 GHz Network: The August Connect can only connect to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Ensure your phone is connected to this network during setup, and that you are providing the correct password for it.

Step 2: Interpret the LED Light

The light on the front of the August Connect tells you its status.

• Flashing Red: Cannot connect to your Wi-Fi network. This is usually due to an incorrect password or being too far from the router.
• Flashing Green: Trying to connect to the smart lock via Bluetooth. If it flashes green for a long time, it means the Connect is too far from the lock.
• Solid Green: Successfully connected and operating normally.

Step 3: Reboot and Reset the Connect

1. Reboot: Simply unplug the August Connect from the wall, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait a few minutes for it to try and reconnect.
2. Factory Reset: If rebooting doesn't help, press and hold the small reset button on the front of the Connect for 5 seconds. The light will flash red, and the device will be reset. You will need to go through the "Set up a new device" process in the August app again.

By methodically addressing these Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection points, you can solve most August pairing issues and enjoy the full functionality of your smart lock.