If you have recently received a message stating, “There was a problem calibrating the lock. Please call us to troubleshoot”, you are not alone.
This has been a problem that some SimpliSafe smart lock owners have had to deal with over the years.
If your SimpliSafe smart lock is not calibrating, this could mean there is a misalignment issue preventing the deadbolt from working properly, or the batteries are running low. Devices timing out during the calibration process, firmware bugs, hardware issues, or poor signal can also cause a calibration failure.
This issue could be very annoying because it can happen immediately with a brand-new install or even after months and years of unproblematic use.
Here’s what you need to know.
Common Causes of SimpliSafe Smart Lock Calibration Failures
There are several things that can prevent your SimpliSafe smart lock from calibrating.
Misalignment and Installation Issues
Inspect your door. In some cases, the problem is caused by misalignment or something causing binding.
Check the strike plate and ensure that they are perfectly aligned. Be very meticulous because even small misalignments can cause issues sometimes.
In addition, overtightening of the screws can sometimes cause binding and make it more difficult for the lock to operate properly.
Also, check if the latch hole is deep enough and if there isn’t anything in it preventing the deadbolt from extending fully.
Drastic temperature swings and humidity changes can cause doors to warp and cause binding.
A good sign that there is an alignment issue is if you have to push or pull on your door when locking or unlocking it.
Next, check the locking mechanism.
The deadbolt itself could be causing issues. If the deadbolt is not moving freely and there is some friction, this can cause problems for the SimpliSafe smart lock’s mechanism, too.
A little lubrication can make the movement smoother and easier, especially with older deadbolts.
Firmware Problems
Ensure you have the latest firmware on both the SimpliSafe base station and the keypad.
If it has been a while since the last time you updated the firmware on these devices, this process could take a while.
In some cases, you may have to do a few consecutive updates as you may not be able to jump straight to the latest firmware in one go. Keep in mind that the subsequent updates may not immediately show up, and you may have to wait a while after each update before the next one appears.
Batteries Running Low on Charge
Check if the batteries are running low on power. This could prevent the lock from properly performing the calibration process.
If necessary, replace them with a newer, fresh set of batteries.
SimpliSafe smart lock uses 4 AA alkaline batteries, and the batteries should generally last between 6 to 12 months, depending on usage.
Troubleshooting Steps For SimpliSafe Smart Lock That Won’t Calibrate
After going through the above-mentioned checklist, it is time to perform some simple troubleshooting steps.
- Bring the SimpliSafe base station and keypad really close to the smart lock—within 1 foot—while updating the firmware and performing the pairing, calibrating, or troubleshooting processes. Even though these devices all have decent signal range, it is not that hard to run into issues if they are far apart.
- Remove the batteries from the SimpliSafe base station, keypad, and smart lock. After 15 to 30 seconds, insert the batteries back into the devices.
- Remove the lock from the system and add it back.
- Attempt to perform the calibration process. Make sure the keypad does not time out during the calibration process. This could happen if the Power Saving Mode has been enabled on the keypad, so make sure it remains disabled during calibrating.
How to Calibrate SimpliSafe Smart Lock
Follow these steps to calibrate your SimpliSafe smart lock:
- Power on your SimpliSafe smart lock if it is not.
- Before you start, ensure the batteries are not running low on power. A quick way to check is by removing the cover and pressing the test button. If the battery is low and needs to be changed, only the light in the center will be slowly flashing.
- Move and keep the SimpliSafe security system keypad and the base station really close to the keypad while performing this process.
- Using the keypad, go to Menu, tap on Devices, tap on Lock and choose Recalibrate.
- When asked to close the door, just turn the lock to the locked position, with the deadbolt latch extended out while keeping the door open. When ready, press Done.
- Now, the lock will begin the calibration process and will turn the deadbolt a total of three times.
- At the end of the process, you will be asked to check if your door/lock is in the unlocked position.
- Press the relevant answer. If the door is indeed in the unlocked position, press Yes. This means the calibration process has been successful.
What to Do if Nothing Works
Over the years, there have been cases where the calibration issue would simply not go away, no matter what.
Some owners have reported this issue starting after a recent firmware update they did. And in other cases, it has been a hardware issue or a faulty smart lock.
If the things outlined above did not help, do not hesitate to reach out to the SimpliSafe support team.
You might be required to go through these troubleshooting steps again, but if they really do not help, in most cases, SimpliSafe will send you a replacement lock.
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