What to Do When Your August Smart Lock Won't Reset
A factory reset is a powerful troubleshooting step for your August Smart Lock. It can resolve connectivity problems, clear out corrupted data, or prepare the lock for a new owner. However, it can be frustrating if the lock doesn't respond to the reset command. This guide will walk you through the correct procedures and troubleshooting steps to get your lock back to its original factory settings.
### When Should You Perform a Factory Reset?
A factory reset is a complete wipe of the device's memory. It erases all guest keys, user data, and network settings. You should only perform a reset in the following situations:
- You are moving house and leaving the lock for the new residents.
- You are selling the lock.
- You have replaced your phone and can no longer access your August account.
- You are experiencing persistent connection or operational issues that other troubleshooting steps (like changing batteries or rebooting your phone) have not fixed.
### Standard Factory Reset Procedure
For most models of the August Smart Lock, the process is straightforward.
- Locate the Reset Button: The reset button is a small, red button. You will find it on the interior side of the lock. On some models, you may need to lift the faceplate or open the battery compartment to access it.
- Ensure the Lock is Powered: The lock must have working batteries to perform a reset.
- Press and Hold: Press and hold the red reset button for approximately 10-15 seconds.
- Wait for Confirmation: The lock will emit a series of beeps and its LED light will flash red to signal that the reset has been initiated and completed.
- Release the Button: Once you see the red flashing light, you can release the button.
The lock is now reset and ready to be set up again from scratch using the August app.
### Troubleshooting a Failed Reset
If you've held the button down and nothing happens, here's what to check next.
#### 1. Check the Batteries
The single most common reason for a failed reset is insufficient power. The lock may have enough power to operate minimally but not enough to complete the reset sequence.
- Replace the Batteries: Remove the old batteries and replace them with a brand new set of CR123 lithium batteries. Avoid using rechargeable batteries unless they are specifically recommended by August for your model.
- Check Orientation: Double-check that all batteries are installed in the correct orientation, following the diagrams inside the battery compartment.
- Attempt Reset Again: With the fresh batteries installed, try the press-and-hold reset procedure again.
#### 2. Physical Button Issue
It's rare, but the physical button could be stuck or damaged.
- Feel for the Click: When you press the button, you should feel a slight tactile 'click'. If it feels mushy or doesn't depress, there may be a physical obstruction.
- Inspect the Area: Check for any debris that might be blocking the button.
#### 3. Remove From App First
In some cases, it's beneficial to remove the lock from your August account before performing the physical reset.
- Open the August App: Go to the lock settings for the device you want to reset.
- Choose 'Delete Lock': Scroll down and select the option to remove or delete the lock from your keychain/account.
- Proceed with Physical Reset: After removing it from the app, try the physical reset procedure again.
If your August lock still won't reset after trying all these steps, it may indicate a more serious hardware issue. At this point, you should contact August's official customer support for further assistance and provide them with the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.