How to Fix Common Problems With a Smart Digital Door Lock
Whether you want to double-check that you locked the door before leaving for work, or give a temporary code to your house cleaner, smart digital locks make it easy. They also help you feel more secure if you use your home as a short-term rental.
Many smart locks can be connected to a hub like Apple’s HomeKit, Google Home or Amazon Alexa. However, this is not a requirement and some people have experienced security issues with voice assisted technology or hubs that run on wifi.
Security
Smart locks are an excellent addition to any home, letting you let in workers, houseguests and pet sitters without needing to give them keys. They also prevent you from worrying that you forgot to lock up before running out the door (and are a godsend for those times when you’re halfway through an airplane ride and remember that you didn’t turn off the lights).
The best smart digital door locks allow you to share temporary access code with visitors by using smartphone apps. These apps can let a user enter your house during the day or night, and can be set to expire within an established timeframe. You can also use an app to view your lock’s history of unlocking and locking, so you can check whether someone has been coming and going while you’re away.
A good smart lock will connect to your Wi-Fi, allowing you to monitor it remotely and integrate it with your other smart home gadgets. It should also be able to work with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant so you can open and lock your door with a few quick commands.
Look for a model that is backed by an ANSI or BHMA rating for security and quality assurance testing. It should also have a standard keyhole as a backup, so you smart digital door lock can enter in case the smart lock’s batteries die.
Convenience
A smart door lock gives you access to your home without having to turn a key. It may allow you to unlock by entering a code on a keypad, remotely with your smartphone, or by voice commands. Some models even detect your proximity to the door and unlock as you approach. You can also view entry and exit logs in real time.
The best smart locks also integrate with your other home security devices and cameras to smart digital door lock give you a more complete picture of who is coming and going, and when. They’re great for vacation rental owners, people with cleaning and dog-walking services, or those who often have friends and family popping in. Some models let you create a number of temporary digital keys that work only during certain hours (such as Monday through Friday) to accommodate those types of users.
Some smart locks connect to your Wi-Fi and work with other connected devices through a hub or bridge, such as a Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Echo, or Apple HomeKit. We look at how easy it is to set up this aspect of the lock and determine whether you can control it with voice command using these systems. We also see how well a lock works in conjunction with other smart locks and light bulbs to make it easier to manage your entire home from one app.
Apps
One of the biggest draws of smart locks is that they allow homeowners to control access to their home without having to give out a physical key. Most models either have a keypad for coded entry or an electronic “key” that lives in the app and can be created, revoked, or limited to certain time periods with a few taps.
Some smart locks let you create temporary codes for houseguests, cleaning services, dog walkers, and other service providers to use. You can also set up alerts that notify you if someone tries to break in or tampers with the lock. Some even pair with a smart doorbell to show you who is at the door.
Many smart locks are compatible with voice assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s HomeKit. You can also integrate them into your smart-home system to make it easy for you and your family to lock the door from anywhere on your phone or tablet.
Some smart locks make a big splash with techy features such as light-up touchscreens and color-coded LED indicator lights, but others go out of their way to look similar to traditional deadbolts so they blend in. It’s a personal preference; some people like to be able to tell their smart lock apart from their normal keys, but others appreciate a less-obtrusive model.
Maintenance
Smart locks are a wonderful way to keep your guests safe and comfortable in your hotel rooms. But like any other device, they’re not without their own set of issues that can arise from time to time. Knowing how to fix common problems that can occur with these locks will allow your staff to help guests troubleshoot their own issues, and prevent them from being locked out of their room while you’re not available to assist them.
One of the most common issues with smart locks is a deadbolt that won’t lock. This typically happens when the latch or deadbolt is positioned incorrectly against the strike plate. This can cause the latch to strike against metal or the deadbolt to strike against metal in the wrong spot, leaving permanent marks on the surface of the strike plate. This can also happen if the handle of the doorknob is hitting the deadbolt or latch at an angle, so it’s important to check the position of the knob and door lock often.
Other common issues with smart locks include the lock not responding to a key code and battery-operated digital locks that are running low on batteries. If this is the case, it’s important to replace the batteries with fresh ones and re-enter the security code through the app. This should resolve the issue.