Quick Summary August locks stop responding to Alexa for three reasons: the August skill has been unlinked or its access token has expired, the lock is not visi…
Quick Summary
August locks stop responding to Alexa for three reasons: the August skill has been unlinked or its access token has expired, the lock is not visible to Alexa because it's not in the correct Alexa group, or the August Connect bridge is offline (Alexa needs the bridge to reach the lock). Voice unlocking also requires a separate PIN code to be set in the Alexa app as a security measure — many users miss this step.
Step 1: Re-link the August Skill in Alexa Alexa app → More → Skills & Games → search August Smart Lock → tap Enable to Use. If already enabled: tap Settings → Disable Skill → re-enable and re-link your August account. Sign in with your August credentials when prompted. After linking: Alexa app → Devices → tap + → Add Device → Lock → Discover Devices. Wait 45 seconds for Alexa to find the August lock.
Step 2: Enable Voice Unlock PIN
Alexa requires a 4-digit voice PIN to unlock doors as a security measure. Without it, Alexa will lock but not unlock. Alexa app → Devices → select your August lock → Settings (gear icon). Find Voice Code or Unlock by Voice → enable it and set a 4-digit PIN. To unlock: say "Alexa, unlock [lock name]" → Alexa will ask for the PIN → say the 4 digits.
Step 3: Check August Connect Bridge
Alexa communicates with August through the cloud, which requires the August Connect bridge to be online. Check the bridge LED: solid green = working. If offline: unplug, wait 10 seconds, plug back in. August app → Settings → August Connect → confirm status shows Connected.
Step 4: Check Lock Name Consistency
If you renamed the lock in the August app after linking to Alexa, Alexa may still be using the old name. Alexa app → Devices → find your August lock and note the name shown. Use that exact name in voice commands: "Alexa, lock [exact name]". To rename: Alexa app → Devices → select lock → Edit Name. After renaming, run device discovery again.
Step 5: Check Alexa Guard and Home/Away Mode
If Alexa Guard is active in Away mode, it may block lock commands as a security feature. Alexa app → More → Guard → switch to Home mode. Test lock command again. If it works in Home mode but not Away mode: this is expected Alexa Guard behaviour. Disable Guard or adjust its settings.