How to Reset a Smart Lock

Quick overview: Resetting a smart lock restores it to factory settings — wiping all codes, fingerprints, and pairings — and you’ll do it when moving in or out, troubleshooting a glitch, or handing the lock to a new owner. The exact steps vary by brand, but the pattern is consistent: most keypad locks reset by holding a small reset button under the battery cover, while app-based locks like August reset from within the app. This guide covers the general method, brand-by-brand steps for Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, and August, and how to set the lock back up afterward. To compare locks before a reset-and-replace, see the Best Smart Locks (2026) guide.

When (and Why) to Reset a Smart Lock

A factory reset is the right move in a handful of situations:

• Moving in or out — clear the previous owner’s or tenant’s codes and your own before handing it over.
• Troubleshooting — an unresponsive keypad, failed pairing, or stuck calibration often clears with a reset.
• Re-pairing to a new hub or account — switching ecosystems usually requires removing the lock from the old account first.
• Forgotten programming code — a reset is the recovery path when you’ve lost the master code.

Remember what a reset does: it erases everything — all user codes, enrolled fingerprints, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/hub pairings, and settings. You’ll rebuild from scratch, so only reset when you intend to start over.

The General Reset Method

Across most keypad smart locks, the procedure follows the same shape. Always do this with the door open so a mid-reset lock state can’t trap you outside.

1. Open the battery compartment on the interior unit and locate the reset button — usually a small recessed button near the battery tray or the circuit-board cable connector.
2. Trigger the reset: Many locks want you to remove the batteries, then hold the reset button while reinserting them, and keep holding for a set time. Others have you press and hold the button for roughly 30 seconds until you hear a long beep or see the LED flash.
3. Watch and listen for confirmation — a distinctive beep sequence or a red-then-green LED signals the factory reset has run.
4. Re-add the lock in the app and re-enroll codes and fingerprints.

App-based locks (notably August) skip the button entirely and reset from a menu in the app.

Brand-by-Brand Reset Steps

Schlage (Encode, Encode Plus, keypad deadbolts)

1. Disconnect the battery pack from the interior unit.
2. Press and release the Schlage button on the keypad, then reconnect the battery within about 10 seconds.
3. Once reconnected, press and hold the Schlage button until you see a green light and hear a beep, confirming the reset.
4. If the lock has built-in Wi-Fi, also remove it from the Schlage Home app so it can be re-added cleanly.

Yale (Assure Lock 2 and keypad models)

1. Remove the interior battery cover and take out the batteries.
2. Detach the interior escutcheon to expose the circuit board; the hidden reset button sits beside the PCB cable connector.
3. Hold the reset button down while reinstalling the batteries, and keep holding until the lock signals the reset.
4. For app/Wi-Fi models, also remove the lock from the Yale Access (Connected by August) app.

Kwikset (smart deadbolts)

1. Remove the back panel/cover to reach the program (reset) button in or near the battery compartment.
2. Press and hold the program button for about 30 seconds until you hear a long beep or the LED flashes red.
3. That indicates the factory reset has started; allow it to complete, then re-enroll codes.

August (Wi-Fi Smart Lock, retrofit models)

1. Open the August app and select your lock.
2. Go into the lock’s settings and choose the factory reset option.
3. Confirm; the app walks you through wiping and re-adding the lock. (Because August is a retrofit, there’s no exterior keypad button — the reset lives in software.)

For any brand: when in doubt, the manufacturer’s user manual or support site has the exact button location and timing for your specific model. Steps differ between generations, so match the instructions to your model number.

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After the Reset: Setting the Lock Back Up

A factory-fresh lock needs to be re-commissioned:

1. Re-pair in the app and re-establish connectivity — Wi-Fi, a Z-Wave/Thread hub, or Bluetooth. Unsure which applies? See Smart Lock Connectivity Explained.
2. Recalibrate the locked/unlocked positions and door handing if the lock asks.
3. Create new unique codes for each person and re-enroll fingerprints — a good moment to retire any old, over-shared codes.
4. Reconfigure auto-lock, alerts, and voice-assistant links.

Reset Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I factory reset a smart lock?

For most keypad locks, open the interior battery cover, find the small reset button (often near the battery tray or circuit-board connector), and either hold it for about 30 seconds until you hear a long beep, or hold it while reinserting the batteries. App-based locks like August reset from within the app instead. Always reset with the door open, and re-add the lock and codes afterward.

Where is the reset button on a smart lock?

It’s almost always on the interior unit, under or near the battery compartment. On Kwikset and Schlage models it’s a small program button by the batteries; on Yale locks it’s hidden beneath the interior escutcheon, beside the circuit-board cable connector. Retrofit locks like August have no physical reset button — the reset is done in the app.

Does resetting a smart lock delete all the codes?

Yes. A factory reset wipes everything — all user and guest codes, enrolled fingerprints, connectivity pairings, and settings — returning the lock to its out-of-the-box state. That’s exactly why it’s the right step when moving in or out: it guarantees no previous codes still work. You’ll need to re-create codes and re-enroll fingerprints afterward.

How do I reset a Schlage smart lock?

Disconnect the battery, press and release the Schlage button, then reconnect the battery within about 10 seconds. Once reconnected, press and hold the Schlage button until you see a green light and hear a beep, which confirms the factory reset. If it’s a Wi-Fi model, also remove it from the Schlage Home app so it can be added back cleanly.

How do I reset an August smart lock?

August locks reset through software rather than a hardware button. Open the August app, select your lock, go into its settings, and choose the factory reset option. The app confirms the action and guides you through wiping the lock and re-adding it. This makes sense given August is a retrofit lock with no exterior keypad.

Should I reset my smart lock before moving out?

Yes. Resetting before you move out clears all of your codes and the lock’s pairing to your account, so the next occupant starts fresh and none of your old credentials remain active. If you’re keeping the lock, a reset before reinstalling at a new home is also a clean way to start over. Just remember you’ll lose all saved settings.

Final Verdict

Resetting a smart lock is straightforward once you know the pattern: keypad locks reset with a button under the battery cover, while app-based locks like August reset in software. Do it with the door open, watch for the beep or LED confirmation, remove the lock from any old account, then re-pair and create fresh unique codes. Match the steps to your exact model via the manufacturer’s manual when the timing isn’t obvious. If a reset is part of replacing an aging lock, compare current options in the Best Smart Locks (2026) guide.

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Last updated: June 2026