Resolved: Schlage Lock Blinks Green But Won’t Open

I find certain things very confusing. Like a dessert with meat, a pizza with pineapple on it, spinach in smoothies, cherry blossom flavored Lay’s, tomato-based cocktails, and a Schlage lock that would blink green but won’t open. While my idea of blasphemous foods may not be relevant to you, the article certainly is, especially if your Schlage lock blinks green but won’t open. 

A smart lock is one of the best innovations in the field of home security. It is not incorrect to say that smart locks were the game changer that completely modified the way we secure our homes. It is not possible to talk about smart locks and not mention Schlage, as Schlage locks are one of the most reputed locks that are proudly securing several American homes.

While Schlage locks usually work well and have a long lifespan, like any other electronic device, it is normal for the smart locks to act faulty. At times, you may encounter issues like Schlage lock blinking red light or Schlage lock not opening but blinking green. While these issues can be troublesome, most of them can be fixed easily.

If you are wondering why your Schlage lock is blinking green but not working, the first thing that you must ensure to check is whether your lock has the vacation mode deactivated. Your lock may also blink green if it is not installed properly. In this case, I advise reinstalling the lock to fix the issue.

In this article, we will learn about several reasons why your Schlage lock blinks green but won’t open. We will also discuss the resolution of the problem. But before that, let us understand how a Schlage lock works.

How Does A Schlage Lock Work?

A Schlage lock is a smart lock that allows you to lock and unlock your door without a key. The electronic mechanism uses codes to program, lock, and unlock the lock. The lock may also be connected to voice assistants like Alexa or Siri.

A Schlage lock has two types of codes associated with it- the programming code and the user code. The programming code of a Schlage lock is a 6-digit code that is used to put the smart lock into programming mode. The code does not unlock the smart lock and only enables you to perform functions like changing or deleting the user code, activating or deactivating the vacation mode, etc. However, a user code is a 4-digit, routine code that works as the key to your lock. 

The Schlage smart lock comes with a default programming code that is mentioned in the user manual and also at the back of the lock. The programming code can be changed and is also used to set up the user code. You may set up to 19 user codes on your Schlage locks, of which one would be the primary user code, and the rest are the guest codes. To learn how to change the codes on a Schlage lock, refer to one of the articles that I wrote recently. 

The user code of your Schlage smart lock must be different from the first four digits of the programming code. In case you try to set a user code with the digits identical to that of the programming code, your Schlage lock will flash a red light, and you will not be able to set the user code. To troubleshoot the issue, try setting a user code with digits different from the first four digits of the programming code.

Why Is My Schlage Lock Blinking Green But Not Working?  

A Schlage lock has a status light, or the Schlage button, to indicate certain messages. A green light on a Schlage lock usually means that the lock has accepted the user code to unlock or that your programming command has been accepted. Seeing a green light on your Schlage lock that does not unlock may sound strange but is normal. 

Usually, there are two reasons why you would see a green light on your Schlage lock that won’t open. One, your Schlage lock is on vacation mode. Two, your Schlage lock is not installed properly. In this section of the article, we will discuss both the issues and their resolutions in detail.

Issue 1: Your Schlage Lock Is On Vacation Mode

When you try to unlock your Schlage lock using the guest user code and the vacation mode is activated on your Schlage lock, your lock will not unlock, and you will see a red light followed by a green light.

The vacation mode on a Schlage lock disables all guest user codes at the keypad so that only the primary user code works. Vacation mode ensures that nobody can enter your home in your absence. If the keypad of your smart lock is not responding to the user code that you are entering, there are chances that the vacation mode is activated on it. 

Solution: Deactivate Vacation Mode On Your Schlage Lock

In case the vacation mode is activated on your Schlage lock, you will have to deactivate the same to open your lock using the guest user code. To deactivate the vacation mode, follow the steps given below.

• Step 1: Type your 4-digit primary user code on the Schlage lock keypad.
• Step 2: Wait till the Schlage button flashes orange and beeps three times. 
• Step 3: Then press the Schlage button and number 4 simultaneously till the Schlage button turns green. 

The green light indicates that you have deactivated the vacation mode on your lock. Now, you should be able to unlock your using the guest user code.

Issue 2: Your Schlage Lock Is Not Installed Properly

Another reason why your Schlage lock may be blinking green and won’t open could be that your lock is not properly installed. In this case, you may refer to the manual to re-install the lock or follow the steps given in the next section to carry out the process. 

Solution: Re-Install Your Schlage Lock

 The reinstallation of the Schlage locks will reset all the settings, including the programming code and user code, to default settings. You may change the codes following the steps given here.

Here are the steps to reset your Schlage lock in less than a few minutes.

• Step 1: Dissemble your Schlage lock device
• Step 2: Disconnect the power supply and the batteries from your Schlage smart lock.
• Step 3: Examine the key override slot of your Schlage lock. If you notice that the lock is in the lockout mode, use a screwdriver or a sharp object and insert it into the slot to deactivate the lockout mode.
• Step 4: Press and hold the Schlage button on the lock.
• Step 5: Reconnect the batteries of your lock while holding the Schlage button.
• Step 6: Release the Schlage button. You will notice that the lock will perform a setup process. Wait until the bolt of the lock stops moving.

Once the lock bolt stops moving, the reinstallation process of the lock will be complete, and, hopefully, the issue related to your Schlage smart lock should resolve. After the reinstallation, I recommend checking for any pending updates on your Schlage lock. It is a great idea to update your Schlage locks now to avoid facing any issues.

Here’s how

• Step 1: Download the Allegion Engage App to your Android or iOS smartphone.
• Step 2: Log in to the account using the credentials provided to you by the Schlage Homebase Team.
• Step 3: Wait until you see the ‘connected’ message at the bottom of the screen 
• Step 4: Now click on the ‘Update Firmware’ icon and follow the instructions. To confirm the update, select update now. It is noteworthy that some of the updates of the Schlage locks are to be purchased and are not free of cost.
• Step 5: After the update is complete, close the Engage App on your smartphone, so it no longer connects to the lock.
• Step 6: Open the Schlage Homebase Mobile Manager and perform lock maintenance on your Schlage smart lock. 

After the reinstallation and update process is done, you should no longer be facing the issue of your Schlage lock not opening. However, if the issue persists, professional help may be required to fix the lock.

Some More Light Indicators On Schlage Locks

Here are a few more lights indicators on your Schlage lock. While some of these lights are general indications, a few of them may indicate an issue and result in your Schlage lock not working.

A Green (✔) Light: You entered the correct user code.
A Solid Red (X) Light: You entered an incorrect user code. I have covered Schlage lock blinking red light issue in great detail in one of the other articles.
A Flashing Red (X) Light: The battery of your Schlage lock is critically low
Flashing Yellow Light Upon Entering The user code: The battery of your Schlage lock is low
A Red Light Followed By A Green Light (Upon Entering The Guest Code): The Schlage lock is in vacation mode

FAQs

Q1. What is the Schlage lock turn lock feature?

Answer – The turn lock or thumb turn feature allows you to lock your door from outside by rotating the thumb turn and pressing the Schlage button. The turn lock feature saves significant time for users as with the feature turned on, you will not have to enter the code to lock the door each time you leave home.

Q2. I see a red light on my Schlage keypad when I enter the code on my Schlage lock keypad. What does this mean?

Answer – A flashing red light upon entering the code on your Schlage lock keypad indicates that your lock batteries are low and need to be replaced. However, if the red light is solid, you may be entering an incorrect user code to open the lock.

Conclusion 

Whether you are looking to enhance the security of your home or planning to add convenience to your home security system, Schlage smart locks are a great way to go. Schlage smart lock can simplify your life by locking and unlocking the code using a code. However, if your Schlage lock blinks green but won’t open, I’ve covered you in the article. I hope the fixes were helpful for you. 

In case you have more queries related to Schlage locks, I am happy to help. Just write to me in the comment section!