August Smart Lock Not Connecting via Bluetooth or WiFi

Identifying the Issue

Your August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) communicates with your phone using two wireless protocols: Bluetooth for close-range control and built-in Wi-Fi for remote access. When either connection fails, you may experience the lock showing as "offline" in the August app, inability to lock or unlock remotely, delayed status updates, or the lock not responding to voice commands through Alexa, Google Assistant, or HomeKit. Understanding which connection is failing helps you apply the right fix quickly.

Common Causes

• Bluetooth interference: Other Bluetooth devices, thick walls, or metal doors can weaken the Bluetooth signal between your phone and the lock.
• Wi-Fi network issues: The lock only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your router has combined band steering or is set to 5 GHz only, the lock cannot maintain a connection.
• Low battery voltage: As the AA batteries deplete, the lock's wireless radios may lose power intermittently, causing dropped connections even before the low-battery warning appears.
• Firmware bugs: Outdated firmware can introduce connectivity regressions that August has since patched.
• Router distance or congestion: If the lock is far from the router or too many devices compete for bandwidth, Wi-Fi reliability suffers.

Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Restart Bluetooth on your phone: Toggle Bluetooth off and back on in your phone's settings. Open the August app and wait 15 seconds for the lock to appear. Stand within five feet of the lock during this step.
2. Power-cycle the lock: Remove both AA batteries from the lock, wait 30 seconds, then reinsert them. This resets the lock's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios without losing your configuration.
3. Check your Wi-Fi band: Log into your router's admin panel and confirm the 2.4 GHz band is enabled and broadcasting. If your router uses band steering, create a separate 2.4 GHz SSID for smart home devices.
4. Reconnect Wi-Fi in the August app: Open the app, select your lock, go to "Lock Settings," then "Wi-Fi." Tap "Reset Wi-Fi" and re-enter your 2.4 GHz network credentials.
5. Replace the batteries: Install fresh, high-quality AA lithium batteries. Alkaline batteries drain faster in smart locks and can cause voltage drops under motor load that also affect wireless performance.
6. Update firmware: In the August app, go to your lock's settings and check for firmware updates. If an update is available, keep your phone near the lock during the entire update process — interrupting it can cause further issues.
7. Reduce Wi-Fi congestion: Move your router closer to the lock or add a Wi-Fi mesh extender within 15 feet of the door. Remove unused devices from your network to free up bandwidth.

When to Contact Support

If you have replaced batteries, confirmed 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, updated firmware, and power-cycled the lock but connectivity issues persist, contact August support through the app or at august.com/support. Have your lock's serial number and firmware version ready. Persistent Bluetooth failure after a factory reset may indicate a hardware defect covered under warranty.

Prevention Tips

Keep a regular battery replacement schedule — every four to six months for standard use. Set your router to assign a static IP address to the lock to prevent DHCP conflicts. Enable automatic firmware updates in the August app so the lock always runs the latest software. If you have a mesh Wi-Fi system, ensure the node nearest your front door has a strong backhaul connection for reliable lock communication.