Schlage Lock Not Working After Battery Change: Quick Ways to Fix

Did your Schlage Keypad lock refuse to work after replacing the batteries? If so, keep reading, as I will explain why this might be happening and what you can do to resolve the issue. Let’s get started!

Incorrect battery installation, using the wrong batteries, or glitches in your lock could be the reason your Schlage Lock isn’t working after replacing the batteries.

With that in mind, here is how to go about this issue.

Schlage FE595 Keypad Lock

Troubleshooting a Schlage Lock that Stops Working After Battery Change

1. Check Whether the Batteries Are Wrongly Installed

While this may rarely be the cause, you want to confirm that the batteries in your lock are installed correctly before trying other troubleshooting tips. Your lock won’t work if the batteries are not correctly installed, so check and place the batteries in the right order.

More so, ensure the battery connector is intact. You may have installed the batteries correctly, but the lock won’t work if the battery connector is not connected. Check and put the battery connector in place.

Also, check that you used the correct batteries. Most Schlage keypad locks use alkaline batteries—non-rechargeable. Lithium or rechargeable batteries are not recommended.

See the next step if the problem persists.

2. Remove the Batteries

If the battery type and installation checks out, and your lock is still not working, try this hack:

  • Disconnect and remove the batteries from the lock.
  • Press and release the outside Schlage button several times.
  • Wait 30 to 60 seconds, then put the battery back on and connect the battery connector cable.

Check to see if the problem is resolved. If not, continue to the next step.

3. Check the Battery Terminals

Another troubleshooting step to try is to check whether the battery terminals in your lock are in shape.

Dead batteries may leak acid and corrode the battery terminals, causing the lock to not work even after changing the old batteries.

And this usually happens if the previous batteries had poor seals or died and remained in the lock for some time before being replaced.

Check and clean any acid leakage/rust on the terminals to ensure the batteries touch the terminals properly.

You can use vinegar or lemon juice to remove corrosion from the terminals. Simply dip a Q-Tip into vinegar or lemon and rub it on the battery terminal surface gently.

4. Attempt a Factory Reset

If none of the above fixes work, the next step is to troubleshoot the lock for unseen glitches. And a quick way to go about this is to perform a factory reset on the lock.

This will return the lock to its default factory settings, and it usually helps fix several issues.

That said, here’s how to reset a Schlage keypad lock:

  • Remove the battery cover and disconnect the batteries.
  • Press and release the Schlage button.
  • Within 10 seconds, reconnect the batteries, press and hold the Schlage button until you see a green light and the lock beep once.

Now your lock is reset, and this should solve the problem you’re having with it. If the problem persists after the reset, contact Schlage Customer Support for help.

Note: Schlage keypad locks have different methods of performing a factory reset. The above method mostly works for Schlage BE365, FE575, and FE595. If it doesn’t work for you, refer to your user manual or see how to reset all Schlage smart locks here.

More so, keep in mind that performing a factory reset on your lock will erase all custom programming. Ensure you have the default Programming Code handy, as you will need it to reprogram the lock.

Related Questions

Why is my Schlage lock not working?

For the most part, your Schlage keypad lock may stop working if the batteries are low or completely drained. If your lock suddenly stops working, the first thing to do is replace the batteries and then try to operate it again. Also, check if the battery connector is disconnected and get it properly connected.

How do you reset a Schlage lock after replacing the batteries?

Here is how:

Disconnect the batteries, then press and release the Schlage button. Next, replace the batteries and connector, then long-press the outside Schlage button until the LED indicator flashes green and the lock beeps one.

Why is my Schlage Lock code not working?

If any of your Schlage Lock codes aren’t working, it could be because you’re using the wrong code or a defect in your lock programming.

To fix this, check if the code you’re using is correct. If you’ve not changed the code before, check the front of your user manual or the back of the keypad assembly to find the default codes (Programming Code and User Codes). The codes are usually printed on a white label.

Next, try using the default code to see if it works. If not, factory reset the lock and then use the default Programming Code to reprogram it.

Schlage Turn Lock feature not working; what do I do?

‘Turn Lock’ feature (also known as Lock & Leave) may not work in your Schlage lock if it doesn’t have the function. Note that not all Schlage Keypad Locks come with this feature.

More so, ‘Turn Lock’ won’t work on your lock if it is disabled or when there are glitches in your lock.

That said, here is how to troubleshoot the Schlage Turn Lock not working’ issue:

  • Check that Your Lock has the Function: Check the user manual of your lock, or try googling the model to see if it has the Turn Lock feature. Popular Schlage locks with the Turn Lock feature are Schlage BE365 and Schlage Connect.
  • Enable the Turn Lock Feature: The Schlage Turn Lock feature is usually enabled by default, but you can manually disable and enable it. If the feature isn’t working, chances are it is not enabled yet. Perhaps you disabled it in error. Enable it, and then try locking your deadbolt again to see if it works as usual.

Here’s how to enable the Schlage Turn Lock feature:

  • Enter your Programming Code and wait for the Schlage button LED indicator to illuminate orange three times, followed by three beeps.
  • Press the Schlage button and then press key 7. If successful, the Schlage button will illuminate green and beep once.

Next, try to lock your lock again from outside without entering a User Code. Did it work? Great! But if not, reset the lock. Perhaps there are glitches in your lock obstructing the Turn Lock feature, so reset the lock to see if that helps. See how to do this above.

Schlage lock not working in the cold; what do I do?

This is a common problem with most Schlage keypad locks during winter. And fixing this issue, for the most part, requires you to remove the lock from the door, disassemble it and then reposition the plastic piece onto the spring. The video below presents a step-by-step guide on how to go about this.

However, replacing the battery may sometimes fix the problem. Consider replacing the battery first to see if it works or not—before trying the troubleshooting tips in the video.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, there may be several reasons your Schlage keypad lock isn’t working, and you can solve the problem by trying the various trouble steps above.

If your Schlage smart keypad lock refuses to work after trying one of the troubleshooting steps, continue to the next step to see if it fixes the issue.

So that’s it! Hope that this article was helpful and you could fix the problem with your Schlage keypad door lock.

You may also like to see how to troubleshoot a Schlage lock that won’t open and how to fix Schlage Encode Wi-Fi connectivity issues.