Quick Summary When an August lock shows as unresponsive in the app, it means either the Bluetooth connection between your phone and the lock has dropped, the A…
Quick Summary
When an August lock shows as unresponsive in the app, it means either the Bluetooth connection between your phone and the lock has dropped, the August Connect bridge is offline, or the August app has a stale connection state that needs clearing. The lock itself is almost never the problem — it's the communication layer. This guide walks through each layer in order.
Symptom Diagnosis
Step 1: Fix Bluetooth Connectivity
When you are physically near the lock (within 30 feet), the August app uses Bluetooth directly — no internet required. On iPhone: Settings → Bluetooth → toggle OFF, wait 5 seconds, toggle ON. On Android: pull down notification shade → tap Bluetooth icon to toggle off and on. Force-close the August app completely (swipe up from app switcher) and reopen. Stand within 10 feet of the lock and try again. If Bluetooth is on but the app still can't find the lock: go to Settings → Bluetooth on your phone and check if the August lock appears in the paired devices list. If it shows 'Not Connected', tap it to reconnect.
Step 2: Check the August Connect Bridge
For remote access (when you're away from home), the app routes through the August Connect bridge. Check the bridge LED: solid green = working, flashing red = no Wi-Fi. Unplug the bridge, wait 10 seconds, plug back in. August app → Settings → August Connect → check connection status. If the bridge shows offline: see the August Smart Lock Not Connecting to Wi-Fi guide for full bridge troubleshooting.
Step 3: Check Battery Level
August locks use 4 AA batteries. When batteries drop below 20%, the lock becomes unreliable — it may respond slowly, fail to complete lock/unlock cycles, or drop Bluetooth connectivity intermittently. August app → Settings → Lock → Battery Level. Replace batteries if below 20%. Use fresh alkaline AA batteries (Duracell or Energizer). Do not use rechargeable NiMH batteries — their lower voltage (1.2V vs 1.5V) causes premature low-battery warnings and unreliable operation. After replacing batteries, the lock will recalibrate automatically. Allow 60 seconds before testing.
Step 4: Check for Physical Jamming
If the app shows the lock as 'Jammed' or the motor runs but the lock doesn't move, there is a physical alignment issue. Open the door and manually operate the deadbolt with the thumb turn. It should move smoothly with no resistance. If the deadbolt is stiff: the door or frame has shifted (common in older homes, especially after weather changes). Adjust the strike plate position or call a locksmith. Check that the August mounting plate is flush against the door. A gap of more than 1mm can prevent the drive shaft from engaging the deadbolt properly. Tighten the two mounting screws on the August adapter plate.
Step 5: Clear App Cache and Re-authenticate On Android: Settings → Apps → August → Storage → Clear Cache. On iPhone: delete and reinstall the August app. Log back in and test. If the lock still shows unresponsive after reinstall: remove the lock from the app (Settings → Lock → Remove Lock) and re-add it from scratch.