So, you’re trying to connect your phone to the internet, and for some reason its not connecting meaning your Encode doesn’t have internet. Strange you’ve done everything right. You’ve certainly used the right password. No, it’s unlikely your Encode is broken. The issue is likely with your router.
If that has you scratching your head and asking how can you have done all the steps right but have no access to the internet–you aren’t alone. Here, you can clear the air on this issue, single it out, fix it, and get you back to keeping your property safe.
Why Won’t My Schlage Encode Connect to WiFi?
When your Schlage Encode isn’t connecting to WIFI, it can prevent you from performing remote actions such as unlocking it, as well as several other things.
The causes of your Schlage Encode not connecting to wifi can vary from user to user. So, this error has to be treated on a case-by-case basis. Outlined below are the known, possible causes of the error:
Your WIFI Router Isn’t Connected to the Internet
Your internet service provider, ISP, provides your WIFI with connection to the internet. Sometimes, your ISP may be experiencing technical faults that cut off the connection in your area.
Or, the issue may just be from a glitch in your router which makes it to lose internet connection temporarily.
Whatever the case, if your WIFI router does not have internet connection, your lock won’t either.
Fix 1 – Make Sure Router is Connected to the Internet
- Unplug the router from power supply
- Wait 5 minutes
- Plug the router back in
- If it still says unable to connect within the Schlage app, please contact your ISP
There’s A Glitch
Another common reason why this error occurs is a temporary glitch in your Schlage Encode. A temporary malfunction in the lock’s software or hardware could cause it not to connect to the internet.
Most of the time, software glitches go away on their own. But on other occasions, you may have to perform a few actions to resolve them.
Fix – Try Connecting to WIFI Again
When you get the Unable to Connect error, the lock may have lost connection to the router due to a glitch or because of the distance. To check for WIFI connection again, follow the steps below:
- Open the Schlage Home app
- Select Schlage Encode from the list. It will ask if the lock is installed.
- Tap on ‘Yes, the lock is installed.’ It will ask for the programming code on the back of the lock (QR code).
- Enable the app to access your camera.
- Scan the QR code on the back of the lock or add the programming code manually.
- Press and release the black button on the lock. The app will show Connect to the Wifi screen.
- Tap on Connect Wifi.
- It will scan for wifi networks. Tap on the network you want to connect to and enter the password. It will test the connection and hopefully connect to Wifi
Fix 2 – Wait It Out
Sometimes glitches go away on their own and you don’t have much control over them like you think you do. The best thing to do if you’ve exhausted all options is to wait it out. You’ll be surprised by how many problems go away on their own if you were patient.
Fix 3 – Try Another Router
This may seem a bit outlandish because not everyone has a spare router lying around. However, the source of the connectivity problem may just be a compatibility issue between your Schlage Encode and the type of router you are using.
Users have reported particular issues connecting to WIFI 6 routers (802.11ax). You may try using a WIFI 5 router (802.11ac) instead to see if the issue is resolved.
To try and fix this:
- Try using a WIFI 5 router that is AC or AX
- Set the frequency on 2.4GHz
Alternatively, you may try using a mobile hotspot to see if you can bypass the error as some users have done.
Fix 4 – Factory Reset Schalge Lock
A factory reset is the last resort to fixing the Unable to Connect error or if your encode can’t connect to the internet.
To factory reset:
- Look for the reset button on the back of the Schlage Encode lock that’s next to the battery inside the battery compartment.
- Press and hold the reset button until it turns red. Don’t stop holding it until it stops flashing.
- This starts the reset sequence within the lock. When the reset is complete, the led will light blue. This may take up to 10 seconds.
- The Schlage Encode lock will now reset to its factory default settings.
- The lock is now reset, but it will also need to determine how it is installed on the door. Enter one of the default user codes to initiate that process.
If these stops dont apply to your model, you can use the steps here to reset your Schlage lock for your specific model.
Fix 5 – Contact Schlage
If you still experience the Unable to Connect error on your Schlage Home app, then your lock may have a manufacturing defect. Please reach out to Schlage to get support on the issue using the link below:
https://www.schlage.com/en/home/contact-us.html
Schlage Home App Out Of Date
As a rule, if you encounter an error in your Schlage Home app, such as not being able to connect to WIFI, ensure that the app is up to date. If the app isn’t up to date, it could cause you to run into all sorts of issues.
On the one hand, updates are released by Schlage to fix bugs that may be causing errors on your lock. On the other hand, they also add features and enhancements that make your lock perform better and avoid running into errors from time to time
5 GHz is Enabled on Router
Modern routers use two major technologies for internet connection: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The difference between the two is based on Speed and Range.
- 2.4GHz (default) – more range, less speed
- 5GHz – less range, more speed
From this, you can see that even though the 5GHz will have more speed, range is more crucial for your lock than speed therefore 2.4GHz will need to be enabled. The Schlage Encode doesn’t support the 5GHz Wi-Fi Network but instead supports the 2.4 GHz network.
Fix – Turn Off 5GHz In Router
Given the explanation about 5GHz, it is clear that using the 2.4GHz frequency serves a virtual reality system better. Most WIFI routers use the 2.4GHz by default, so you need to force yours to revert back to using 2.4GHz.
The interface to complete this task depends on the kind of WIFI router you are using. You may consult your ISP for guidance. However, I have presented a general guide for all WIFI routers below:
- Connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet cable.
- Open a web browser on your PC and enter the admin IP address of your router in the address bar. The default IP addresses are usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If you are unsure of the IP address, refer to your router’s manual or documentation.
- On the login page enter the admin credentials. This usually comes with the router manual. For most routers, username and password are both “admin”. Or, admin and password for username and password, respectively. If you’ve changed the credentials and don’t remember them, consult your router’s manual for the correct login information.
- Once logged in, navigate to the Wireless Settings section or the appropriate wireless configuration page.
- Look for the 5GHz frequency settings. It may be labeled as “Wireless Radio Frequency,” “Wireless Mode,” or something similar.
- Disable or uncheck the option for the 5GHz frequency. This may involve toggling a switch, unchecking a box, or selecting the appropriate option from a dropdown menu.
- Save the changes or apply the settings. The router will likely prompt you to confirm the changes before proceeding.
- After saving the changes, the router will revert to the default 2.4GHz frequency for wireless connections.
Battery Issue
If your Schlage lock is running on low battery, this could mess with your WIFI connection. You can check the battery status of your Schlage lock by looking at the app. If you notice that its battery levels are painfully low, then you’ll need to switch out the batteries.
Here are the AA batteries (view on Amazon) that I use for my lock.
If you’ve noticed that your Schlage Encode lock isn’t working properly after changing batteries, I’ve written an article on what the main culprits can be.
SSID and Password Issue
SSID, Service State Identifier, is the public name of your WIFI connection. There are a couple of challenges that could arise with SSID:
- You may have selected the wrong WIFI name when trying to connect your Schlage Enocde to the internet.
2. Also, if you are trying to connect your Encode to WIFI when you encounter this error, it is possible that you are entering the wrong password for the network.