Yale Smart Lock Auto-Lock Not Working or Failing to Engage

Easy 10-20 minutes

If your Yale smart lock's auto-lock feature isn't working, keeps failing, or behaves inconsistently, this guide covers the most common causes and fixes from the community.

Check Auto-Lock Settings

Auto-lock must be explicitly enabled and configured in the Yale Access app:

  1. Open the Yale Access app
  2. Select your lock
  3. Tap the gear icon (Settings)
  4. Find "Auto-Lock" or "Auto Re-lock"
  5. Enable it and set your desired delay (30 seconds to 5 minutes)

One user noted: "I had to go into the app settings and actually turn on auto-lock. It wasn't enabled by default after I set up the lock."

Door Sensor Issues (Yale Assure Lock 2)

On Yale Assure Lock 2 models, the auto-lock feature depends on the DoorSense sensor detecting that the door is closed.

If auto-lock isn't triggering:

  • Make sure DoorSense is enabled in the app settings
  • Check that the magnet on the door frame is properly aligned with the sensor
  • The door status in the app should show "Closed" when the door is shut
  • If it shows "Open" when the door is closed, realign the magnet

A community member explained: "Auto-lock won't work if the lock thinks the door is open. The DoorSense magnet needs to be close enough to the sensor—within about 1 inch—for it to detect properly."

Battery Level

Low batteries can cause auto-lock and other smart features to fail:

  • Check battery level in the Yale Access app
  • Replace batteries if below 20%
  • Use high-quality alkaline or lithium batteries (Energizer, Duracell)
  • Avoid rechargeable batteries as they have lower voltage

Lock Calibration

If the lock wasn't calibrated properly, auto-lock may fail silently:

  1. Open Yale Access app
  2. Go to lock Settings
  3. Find "Calibrate Lock" or "Handedness Settings"
  4. Run the calibration process
  5. Make sure the deadbolt extends and retracts smoothly during calibration

Mechanical Issues

Physical alignment problems can prevent the lock from engaging:

  • Strike plate misalignment: If the deadbolt has trouble extending into the strike plate, auto-lock may fail
  • Door sag: Seasonal changes can cause doors to shift slightly
  • Check manually: Close the door and manually extend the deadbolt—it should move smoothly without resistance

One user fixed their issue: "My auto-lock started failing in winter. Turns out the door had shifted slightly and the deadbolt was catching on the strike plate. Adjusted the strike plate and it works perfectly now."

Firmware Updates

Outdated firmware can cause feature issues:

  1. Open Yale Access app
  2. Go to lock Settings
  3. Check for firmware updates
  4. Keep the app open and stay near the lock during the update

Wi-Fi Module Issues (Yale Connect)

If you're using a Yale Connect Wi-Fi bridge:

  • Auto-lock is controlled by the lock itself, not the Wi-Fi module
  • The bridge is for remote access only
  • If auto-lock worked before but stopped, the issue is likely with the lock or door sensor, not the bridge

Reset and Reconfigure

If nothing else works, try resetting the auto-lock configuration:

  1. Disable auto-lock in the app
  2. Remove and re-add the lock from the app
  3. Re-enable auto-lock with your desired settings
  4. Test by leaving the door open, then closing it—the lock should engage after the set delay

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