Lost Schlage Programming Code: How to Fix

ByNelson Morgan Last Updated on: Troubleshooting

If you’re on this page, my guess is you’ve lost your Schlage Lock Programming Code and are not sure what to do about it. If that guess was correct, keep reading as I’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot this issue. Let’s head right into it!

So here’s what to do if you’ve lost your Schlage Lock Programming Code:

1. Find the Default Programming Code

This is the first step to resolving your lost Programming Code issue. You’ll need to first find the default Programming Code of your Schlage lock, as you’ll need it to reprogram your lock later on.

You can find your Schlage Lock Programming Code on the front of the user manual—usually printed on a white/yellow label. If you don’t have the user manual, remove the lock from the door to find the Programming Code—printed on a white/yellow label on the back of the keypad assembly.

Troubleshooting lost Schlage Programming Code

Next, write down the Programming Code (6 digits) and put the lock back on the door. Note that the label also contains two default User Codes, so be sure you get the right code (see the video below).

2. Restore Factory Settings on Your Lock

Now, the next thing you want to do is restore factory settings on your lock to override the lost Programming Code. Yes, restoring factory settings will erase the current Programming Code and restore the default Programming Code, which you already have.

Follow the steps below to restore factory settings on your Schlage Lock:

  1. On your lock’s interior assembly, remove the battery cover and then disconnect the battery.
  2. Press and release the Schlage button on the keypad.
  3. Now reconnect the battery and then press and hold the Schlage button until you see a green flash, followed by a single beep. Ensure you perform this last step within 10 seconds.

Note: This method of resetting a Schlage lock works mostly on Schlage BE365, FE575, and FE595 models. If it doesn’t work for you, refer to your user manual for instructions. You can google your Schlage Lock model to find the manual—assuming you don’t have the manual.

That said, if you’ve successfully reset your lock, it means the lost Programming Code has been erased. So you can now program your lock using the default Programming Code. This also implies that the lost Programming Code issue has been resolved.

Next, you’ll need to reprogram your lock, as all other custom settings have been erased—because of the factory reset. First off, you want to change the default Programming Code for security reasons. See how to change the default Programming Code below.

Changing the Default Programming Code

Follow these steps to change the default programming code on your Schlage lock:

  1. On the keypad, enter your Schlage lock default Programming Code and wait for the Schlage button to illuminate three orange lights and the lock beep three times. Next, press the Schlage button.
  2. Press key 3 and wait for the Schlage button to illuminate three orange lights and the lock beep three times.
  3. Enter a new Programming Code (6 digits) and wait for the Schlage button to illuminate orange three times, followed by three beeps.
  4. Now re-enter the new Programming Code. The Schlage button will illuminate green, followed by one long beep, showing the Programming Code has been successfully changed.

Deleting the Default User Codes

Schlage Smart/Electronic locks usually come with two default User Codes. And resetting your lock will restore the codes—even though you previously deleted them. Here’s how to delete the two codes at the same time:

  1. Enter your Programming Code and wait for the Schlage button to flash orange lights three times, followed by three beeps. Next, press the Schlage button.
  2. Press key 6 and wait for three orange lights from the Schlage button, followed by three beeps.
  3. Now enter your Programming Code again. This will delete the two default User Codes.

Adding User Codes

Now that you’ve deleted the preset User Codes, you’ll need to add new User Codes to enable you to unlock the lock via the keypad. Follow the steps below to program new User Codes on your Schlage keypad lock:

  1. Enter your current Programming Code and then wait for the Schlage button to light orange three times, followed by three beeps. Next, press the Schlage button.
  2. Press key 1 and wait for the Schlage button to flash orange light three times, and the lock beeps three times.
  3. Enter a new User Code (4 digits) and wait for the Schlage button to illuminate orange three times, followed by three beeps.
  4. Re-enter the new User Code. The lock will flash green once, followed by a long beep, indicating a new User Code has been added.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, troubleshooting a lost Programming Code issue with your Schlage lock is simple as long as you follow the steps correctly. All you need to do is reset your lock and then use the default Programming Code to reprogram it.

Always ensure you change the default Programming Code after performing a factory reset—to ensure that only you can make changes to your lock programming functions.

And that’s it! Hope this article was helpful, and you could resolve the lost Programming Code issue with your lock.

You may also like to see how to fix EMTEK Lock Programming Code issues.