Kwikset SmartCode 888 Door Handing Process Not Working: How to Fix

ByNelson Morgan Last Updated on: Troubleshooting

If you’ve installed your Kwikset SmartCode 888, you want to perform the door handing process to teach the lock the orientation of your door.

Also, performing the door handing detection is required when you move the lock to another door or after performing a factory reset.

Kwikset SmartCode 888 Door Handing

If you’ve been trying to perform the door handing detection, but the operation keeps failing, keep reading to see how to go about this.

In short, if your Kwikset SmartCode 888 door handing process isn’t working, check that you’re doing it correctly. You’ll need to keep holding the Program button until the battery pack is installed. Then release the button once the battery pack is installed.

If you’re having issues with the door handing detection process, read on for more details on how to get it to work.

Tips to Fix Kwikset SmartCode 888 Door Handing Detection Issues

Perform the Door Handing Process Properly

As mentioned earlier, the most likely reason your Kwikset SmartCode 888 door handing detection isn’t working is because you’re not performing the operation correctly.

Here’s how to perform the door handing process on your Kwikset SmartCode 888:

  • Go to the interior assembly of your lock and remove the battery cover.
  • Remove the battery pack (don’t remove the batteries).
  • Press and hold the Program button (a black circle button on the inside of the interior assembly).
  • While still holding the Program button, insert the battery pack back in.
  • Once the battery pack fits snugly into its position, release the Program button.
  • Press the Program button once. Next, the latch bolt will learn the orientation of the door by extending and retracting.
  • The LED indicator will flash green, showing the operation is successful.

However, if the LED indicator flashes red or does not light at all, the operation is not successful. Continue to the next step.

Check the Batteries in Your Lock

Another reason your Kwikset SmartCode 888 door handing detection isn’t working is because the batteries in your lock are not correctly installed.

If you’re sure that you’re performing the door handing process correctly, but it keeps failing, inspect the batteries.

Remove the battery pack and take out all the batteries. Then reinsert them into the battery pack and ensure that the positive ends of the batteries are placed on the positive part of the terminals.

Next, try performing the door handing process again to see if it works.

If it doesn’t work, the batteries might be low. Get a set of new alkaline batteries and replace the old ones. Then perform the door handing process again.

It should work now. If not, see the next step.

Attempt a Factory Reset

If your Kwikset SmartCode 888 door handing identification process fails to work after applying the fixes above, try to reset the lock. If this is a problem with the lock settings, resetting the lock might help.

Here’s how to reset your Kwikset SmartCode 888:

  • On the interior assembly of your lock, remove the interior cover.
  • Remove the battery pack. Then press and hold the Program button.
  • Insert the battery pack back in while still holding the Program button.
  • Keep holding the Program button until the lock beeps and the LED indicator flashes red. Next, release the Program button.
  • Press the Program button once. The lock will beep twice, and the LED indicator will flash green, showing the reset is successful.

Now, perform the door handing detection process again and program your lock.

Final Thoughts

Performing the door handing process on your Kwikset SmartCode 888 is critical to the lock’s operation. The lock won’t work properly if you don’t do this.

The troubleshooting tips in this post should help you resolve this issue. However, if the problem persists after trying the fixes, contact Kwikset Customer Support for help.

You may also like to see how to troubleshoot Kwikset Smart Lock keypad problems and unlocking issues.