SimpliSafe's Smart Lock settings article covers customizing the lock: options such as auto-lock after a set time, locking when the system arms, unlocking by PIN or app and the PIN Pad's behavior. In the app open Device Settings, choose the lock and set the options you want. Auto-lock is convenient but can lock you out if you step outside without a key, so keep a key or PIN with you. Locking on arming ties the lock to the alarm mode, so setting Away mode locks the door.
The checks in more detail
The Keypad and app can lock and unlock, and the timeline records each event. If an automation does not run, check the lock is online with fresh batteries, the setting is on and the Base Station is online. If the lock does not fully extend the bolt, recheck calibration or door alignment, since a sticking door blocks auto-lock. If the lock reports Not Responding, follow the not responding article. Test each behavior with the door open first and then closed.
Review delays so you can exit before locking. If you use a Duress PIN, keep it separate. Update firmware. Change one setting at a time and test with the door open first. An auto-lock delay that suits a busy household may be too short for a slow one. Review settings each season as door habits change. Auto-lock plus a PIN Pad is convenient, but test leaving with the door open to see how much time you have before it locks.
SimpliSafe lets the lock follow the alarm mode, so decide whether Home mode should also lock the door, since a lock that engages when you are home and awake can be surprising. If you have children or visitors, write down the auto-lock delay somewhere the household can see it, since an unexpected lock is the main complaint about the feature. Re-test the lock after any change to the door, weather stripping or strike plate, since a small change in friction can break an automation that worked for months.
Differential
Likely causes of “SimpliSafe Smart Lock Series 2 routine, schedule or automation is not running”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Auto-lock set too short
What separates it You get locked out because the auto-lock delay is set too short
How to confirm Lengthen the auto-lock delay in the lock's settings, so that you have time to get in and out
- 2
Door misalignment
What separates it The bolt does not extend because the door is misaligned with the frame
How to confirm Fix the door's alignment, or recalibrate the lock, so that the bolt extends fully into the frame
- 3
An offline lock
What separates it The automation does not run because the lock is offline
How to confirm Fix the batteries and the range, so that the lock is online and can follow its settings
- 4
Lock on arm not set
What separates it The door stays unlocked when the system arms because lock on arm is not switched on
How to confirm Enable the lock on arm option in the lock's settings, so it locks when the system arms
- 5
A weak battery
What separates it The lock is slow to lock because its batteries are getting weak
How to confirm Replace the four AA cells with fresh ones, then see if it locks at its normal speed
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The settings chosen for the lock in Device Settings
- How well the door lines up with the frame
- The condition of the batteries in the lock
- Whether the Base Station is online
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedOpen Device Settings
ReversibleOpen Device Settings in the app and choose the lock, which is where its options are found.
Set auto-lock
ReversibleSet the auto-lock with a safe delay, long enough for you to get in and out without a lockout.
Set lock on arm
ReversibleSet lock on arm if you want the lock to lock itself when the system is armed.
Check door alignment
ReversibleCheck the door's alignment, and make sure that the bolt extends fully into the door frame.
Test with the door open first
ReversibleTest with the door open first, and then closed, so that a misaligned bolt does not jam anything.
Replace weak batteries
ReversibleReplace weak batteries, meaning the four AA cells in the lock, before you blame the settings.
Contact SimpliSafe
ReversibleContact SimpliSafe if it still fails, and tell them the settings you chose and what happens.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Devices this page covers
- SimpliSafe Smart Lock (Series 2) and its PIN Pad, which lock with SimpliSafe's own radio link to the Base Station. SimpliSafe writes one help article per topic; the notes name where the Series 2 differs from the original lock.
- Settings
- Auto-lock and lock on arming.
- Alignment
- A sticking door blocks locking.
- Tools and supplies
- The SimpliSafe app on an up-to-date phone, fresh AA and CR2450 batteries, the Release Tool from the box or a paperclip, a Phillips-head screwdriver for mounting and a pen and paper for PINs and serial numbers.
- Repair cost
- Most fixes cost nothing. Batteries are inexpensive, and SimpliSafe lists monitoring at $1.10 a day for Core and $0.76 a day for Standard and paid monthly with no contract. Check the limited warranty first.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If automations fail after checks, contact SimpliSafe support
- !If the bolt does not extend, check the door
- !If you are locked out, use the mechanical door key to get back in
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Settings.
Range, interference, battery and update steps.
Unpair, power cycle, factory reset, reinstall.
Lock and PIN Pad batteries.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can it lock when I arm?+
Yes, it can be set to lock when you arm the system, if you switch that option on.
What if the bolt does not extend?+
Check the alignment of the door and run the calibration again, since a jammed bolt stops it.
Can auto-lock lock me out?+
Yes, a short auto-lock delay can lock you out, so pick a delay that gives you enough time.
Should I test with the door open?+
Yes, test with the door open first, so that the bolt does not extend into a door frame that is not there.
Does a weak battery slow locking?+
Yes, a weak battery can make the lock slow to lock, so replace the cells if it seems sluggish.