Kwikset SmartKey Troubleshooting: 3 Simple Steps to Fix Misprogrammed SmartKey Cylinder 

I read the instructions and knew what I had to do but I didnt do it correctly. I turned my current key to 12 o'clock thinking I would have to then insert the new key. No key would turn my lock. I followed the instructions to this video and it appears that my lock had reprogrammed to my current key only half inserted. I jiggled it a bit and was able to turn it 90 degrees clockwise. I then followed the instructions correctly and was able to rekey my lock. Awesome product and feature. Stress saving troubleshooting video.

Thank you so much! This worked liked a charm. You saved me a 30 mile round trip to the Home Depot.

My lock mis-keyed because my key broke off in the lock while I was re-keying it. It did not work for months... Luckily it was just a side door. This video saved the day! I put my new key in and worked it as described and it rolled right over to my amazement. Followed the rest of the instructions and it works again. Thanks!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, your instructions worked for me.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! OMG this just saved me a 35 mile round trip to town to get a new lockset before the guests checked in and I got home before the Sabbath started!! HalleluYah!

took a few minutes of trying to get it to turn but eventually worked. glad i didnt give up, i was getting super frustrated.

Thank you for this video! The lock worked correctly for 3 years then just stopped working. following this video I was able to get it working again.

Thank you. Easy solution to a frustrating problem.

Mine refuses to budge. I'm glad I tried to do the re-keying before installing (I stuck it in a dummy block of wood while I attempted step 3). It's 28°F out and I'd really rather not spend 15-20 minutes outside trying to jiggle it around to find whatever position it might have gotten set in. Instead, I spent 15-20 minutes until my hand started cramping jiggling the key around, and it still won't turn :(

This did the trick for me. Thank you for making this video!!!

thanks! It took me a few tries but eventually it worked and saved me from buying/installing a new lockset.

Save my life. Thank you so muchhhh. I had to try 20x until I made it turn.

I had a double cylinder lock (key inside and outside) that the outside cylinder stopped working all of a sudden (key worked on 4 other locks, so it was not the key). I had tried re-keying the outside lock as per other instructions, moving the key slowly and in different directions multiple times , lock/key would not turn. The trick was to use the inside (working) cylinder to extend the deadbolt, removing the key from working cylinder and THEN trying the key in the non-working cylinder in different positions. IT MOVED!!!. I was then able to re-key the non working cylinder as per video. So the key for a double cylinder lock (key inside/outside) was to EXTEND THE DEADBOLT from the working side. Thank you! This was my last attempt before buying a new lock.

I had pulled the new key out after turning it only 90° and not the full 180°. Thought I ruined my new lock, but the instructions here got it fixed right up. Thank you!

It helped big time in 6/2021 Everybody trying to do this, just be patient and CAMLY follow the instructions. 👍

That moment when you realise a part of your key is sticking out to get it into rekey mode.... I’ve never felt so good while feeling dumb at the same time haha

Another satisfied customer. The three steps worked.

It take me 4 tries to get this to work, but that's on me. It actually is pretty easy and IT WORKS!!

excellent amimation + excellent process description => SUCCESS! Thanks, Kwikset!

In first attempt it did not work. In second attempt it worked. Fantastic !!

This one surely did worked for me and that too in the first attempt. From the last half hour i was trying to open the lock but it was not working. Cheers guys....Great work😊😊

It worked! Thanks so much for the troubleshooting tip.

I was skeptical but this worked! I had to pull the new key out quite a bit to get it to turn. Great video graphics and explanations. Very impressed.

That helped a lot THANK YOU!

Took me several triesand I do meant several so don't feel frustrated - but it worked . Thank you so Much !

Thank you for posting this!!! Worked like a charm.

this instructions helped me! fixing up my lock 😊😊

Thank you! Haha I found my key had been slightly pulled out and it worked!

This saved me, thanks!

Been at this for almost 20 minutes with no luck..... Guess I’m returning this lock. Great concept tho!!!

Awesome! Thank you!

this just saved life

It worked! Thanks Kwikset!!!!

Thanks! Worked and has fixed my problem!

this saved me! tyvm!!!

THANX A MILLION!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!

Thank you so much for this! It really helped.

worked beautifully tyvm

Appreciate the info!!

Took a few jiggles, but worked!

It worked for me ..Thanks a lot for this video

Don't give up, it the lock can be very finicky. Follow the vid and it will work

If I had 7-10 days to wait I would not have bought n install a new deadbolt rekeying was a bust Help line a bust thief’s will be happy to come get what they want great customer service

This worked for me. Should probably just put this trouble shooting in the base instructions instead of hiding it in a separate video.

Ommmggggggggggggggg I was stressing Thank you for posting this

THANK YOU!!

This fixed my door handle lock. Mine locked up during reprogramming. I think I accidentally pulled the key out partially after I inserted the tool or only rotated the key 90 degrees insted of 180. Not sure but it's good now.

I do maintenance. This helped me so much lmao 😂

What a legend mate

This is a godsend

Thanks!😩👌🏾

Thank you

It worked!

You just saved me a locksmith call. I had forgotten to put the lock in the "locked" position first, then pulled the rekeying tool before the key. I have rekeyed all 6 of my locks several times over the years; I guess I got overconfident! But I found this video, and everything worked. Success once more. Thank you.

Thank you it worked

This probably would have worked for me too but I am in a rented Apartment and do not have the smart key. I tried using a smart key from another brand lock I have in my house but it wouldn't fit in there. We went and bought a new lock while we wait for maintenance to come but they obviously don't seem to be taking this as an emergency.

It worked

I bought 4 sets of the deadbolt/doorknob sets for a house I just purchased. They've all been working just fine for the short time I've had them (about 3 months). Thursday, I came home as usual, went to go through the garage door, and the deadbolt unlocked as usual but the key won't turn in the door knob. I don't understand it. I haven't had a problem with it before, all the other door knobs and dead bolts work ok, but the handle in the garage won't work (that is the most used). I live alone and no one else has a key, so I know it wasn't mischievous. Are these under a warranty? Do you think it is something that happened inside the handle? How common is it for these to just 'no longer work' all of a sudden?

It worked. Thanks. Now, put some music on that video. It's TOO quiet.

Sweet I worked

I think my deadbolt came misprogrammed. Ty for the vid.

It worked for me

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I almost had a heart attack

Help help help.....front door locked and when I turn the key it just keeps going around both boys without unlocking door it’s going to cost me probably 120 to fix via lock Smith any help please be grateful

So...I put my new key in the deadbolt, then it got stuck. Did WD-40, still wouldn't budge. After reading some comments, tried vigorously rocking the key up and down, did it finally come out. I've used these locks many many times on apartments, and never had this issue.

Hello, this work with any key, or only the smartkey kwikset? because in my product only came 1 key

Just changed all door locks and deadbolts on 5 doors. Trying to rekey them all to one key but cant seem to get the smartkey in all the way. I'm afraid to push it too hard for fear of breaking it off. Any ideas?Thanks.

Stopped working after 6 months, not sure what could cause that. Did some one Pick and rekey my lock? Summer vs winter tolerances?

One thing we learned the hard way is it's not a bad idea when you insert the smart key to give it a light tap or two with a hammer to make sure it's all the way in before pulling both keys out

I finally found the spot and was able to turn it clockwise. Then I inserted the smart key, removed it and then took the actual key out and tried to reinsert it fully. I’ve tried this several time and the key won’t reinsert fully. Any help?

I am having this key-wont-turn issue on a lever handles that's been in place working for more than 6 years. I no longer have the little tool to set the lock. Are they available somewhere?

currently locked inside-_- wish me luck on these commercial locks

I've rekeyed locks several times... I guess I was overconfident this time! I removed the old key BEFORE removing the smart key tool! Now nothing works. :(

My deadbolt came with a set of keys that didn't work for it. I have other keys I can use. How do I reset a lock that came misprogrammed?

I need a video that covers the original key not being removable after removing the smartkey tool.

What if you rekey it and the lock just spins but the mechanism inside still works?

how do you replace the batteries w/out rebooting

Did not work at all. Both new key and old key fail to turn the cylinder.

Mine refuses, tried everything and I mean for weeks on & off, is this normal? I did follow all the instructions exactly & I just don’t know what else to try. So I have to call a locksmith I suppose unless I find the receipt soon. Very frustrating even though I am a patient person. Don’t have money to throw away so I hope there’s another way.

A product that so many things can go wrong during installation. Bad.

Do you actually have to wiggle the key? It's unclear with the animation.. and I've been at it for 3 hours, it just won't budge. So I guess tomorrow I'll take it back to the hardware store and get a new one..

Well I have tried and tried and just can’t get mine to turn

What a rinky dink set up. No go. She's a brick now. Heading back to Kwikset.

will not work with basic walmart keys. i must pull the key out just a little bit in order for it to work, i dont like that.

I was trying to program a new key and I somehow locked the actual key and now I can’t even unlock it with the actual key what should I do? Lol

My problem is the smartkey only gets programing in on side, the other side can not get programing!!

Still not working. Brand new lock. The key it came with won’t turn no matter what i try. Key inserts but thats it.

I have tried all these steps and it still doesn’t work 😢

What kind of garbage system is this? Mine totally stopped turning. Doing this did nothing. Snapped the key trying to do this. One year, maybe 30 uses and the lock is totally useless. Next time avoid chinese import locks and buy a proper brand that doesn't "forget" how to work.

Didn’t work and I can’t return it because I don’t have a receipt

My kwikset won't take the code

Wouldn't need this video if they would make the instructions included with the lock understandable. Very confusing.

no help tried and tried

MOST DIFFICULT! Two thumbs down!👎 👎