Yale and August Smart Lock Wi-Fi Troubleshooting
Yale and August locks share the same family of apps and accessories, and most “lock offline” problems come down to one of three links: the lock’s Wi-Fi radio (or Wi-Fi module), a plug-in Connect bridge, or the Bluetooth link between the lock and your phone. This guide follows Yale’s and August’s own support articles: quick checks, Wi-Fi setup that fails, a lock that drops offline, Connect bridge light codes, battery drain and resets.
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Quick answers
- Lock shows offline but still works nearby? It falls back to Bluetooth when Wi-Fi is down (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ). Reboot it by removing and reinserting one battery (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock troubleshooting).
- Setup will not finish? Test with the lock close to the router, keep Bluetooth on and do not let the phone screen time out (August: Trouble connecting to Wi-Fi).
- 2.4 or 5 GHz? Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi modules support 5 GHz on firmware 1.0.32 or later (Yale: Wi-Fi modules now 5 GHz compatible); the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock supports both bands (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ); Connect bridges are 2.4 GHz only (August: Improve Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals).
- Connect bridge light is red? The number of flashes tells you why (table below, Yale: Yale Connect LED guide).
- App shows the wrong lock state? Recalibrate the lock and check the deadbolt is not rubbing the strike (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting, Yale: Lock needs recalibration).
Which way does your lock reach Wi-Fi?
Knowing the path tells you which fix applies:
| Setup | How it gets online | Where to look first |
|---|---|---|
| Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi | A Yale Wi-Fi Smart Module installed in the lock, above the batteries | Lock reboot, router band, firmware (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting) |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Built-in Wi-Fi, no bridge needed | Lock reboot, signal at the door (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ) |
| Any lock paired with a Connect bridge | The lock talks Bluetooth to a plug-in Connect, which joins 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi | Connect light, outlet placement (Yale: Yale Connect is offline, August: Improve Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals) |
| Yale Smart Lock with Matter | Matter over Thread through a Thread border router from Google, Apple, Amazon or SmartThings | Border router and Matter app (Yale: Matter FAQ) |
Both Wi-Fi locks keep working over Bluetooth when Wi-Fi is down, so you can still lock and unlock from your phone near the door (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ).
Wi-Fi setup fails
On the Assure Lock 2, Wi-Fi is added from the Yale Access app: Home, the settings gear, your lock, Utilities, Connect to Wi-Fi Network, Begin Wi-Fi Setup, then enter the password. Stay near the lock during setup. Yale notes that on iPhone the phone must be on the 2.4 GHz network during setup (Yale: Set up Wi-Fi on Assure Lock 2).
August’s checklist when a lock or Connect will not join Wi-Fi (August: Trouble connecting to Wi-Fi):
- Confirm the network is online and the password is right (forget and rejoin it on your phone to check).
- Power cycle the access point and modem.
- On iPhone, make sure the phone is on the network you are setting up. On Android, unhide a hidden network during setup.
- Keep Bluetooth on and do not let the phone screen time out.
- If the signal is poor, move the access point closer to the door.
August’s advice by network type (August: Trouble connecting to Wi-Fi):
- Single router: test with the lock right next to the router to rule out range.
- Range extender: place the router, extender and lock roughly equal distances apart, and give the extender its own network name.
- Mesh: try near the mesh point closest to the door; it can take a few attempts.
For a weak signal at the front door, see our guides to Wi-Fi dead zones and a 2.4 GHz network for smart devices.
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz support
- Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi: the FAQ lists 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ). In October 2025 Yale announced that Assure Lock 2, Assure Lock 2 Touch and Assure Lock 2 Plus with Wi-Fi modules support 5 GHz on firmware 1.0.32 with Yale Access app 24.25.0. With a separate 5 GHz network name you can pick it in the lock’s Wi-Fi settings; with a single dual-band name there is nothing to change. Locks on a Yale Connect bridge, or without Wi-Fi, do not gain 5 GHz (Yale: Wi-Fi modules now 5 GHz compatible).
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: supports 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ).
- August Connect: 2.4 GHz only (August: Improve Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals).
Lock shows offline or the wrong state
Offline: Yale and August both say the Wi-Fi lock reconnects on its own. To reboot it, remove the battery cover, take out one battery and put it back. Reconnecting can take a couple of minutes (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock troubleshooting).
Check Wi-Fi is really working: turn off Bluetooth on your phone and open the app. A Wi-Fi icon by the lock circle shows the app is reaching the lock over Wi-Fi (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock troubleshooting).
Wrong lock state: the deadbolt may be rubbing the strike, or the hole in the frame may not be deep enough. Recalibrate, and rehand the lock if needed (Yale: Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi troubleshooting). To recalibrate, remove and reinsert one battery, then choose Calibrate Lock in the lock settings while in Bluetooth range (Yale: Lock needs recalibration). On the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, also check the adapter notches sit at 12 and 6 o’clock (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock troubleshooting).
Yale Smart Lock with Matter: a flashing amber gear means a firmware update of about 5 minutes; do not remove the batteries. If calibration keeps failing, Yale says the hole in the door frame should be at least 1 inch deep and 1 inch wide (Yale: Smart Lock with Matter troubleshooting).
Connect bridge offline and light codes
If the app says “Device unavailable”, the Connect is offline. Check your internet, then unplug the Connect and plug it back in: the light turns off, flashes green quickly, then turns off once it is back online (Yale: Yale Connect is offline). If the light stays solid red, disconnect the Connect in the app, hold its reset button for 5 seconds and set it up again. No light at all? Try another outlet (Yale: Yale Connect is offline).
Placement: Yale recommends the Connect within 15 feet of the lock (Yale: Yale Connect LED guide); August says 10 to 15 feet, the right way up, and that both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signal readings in Connect Settings should show Good or Excellent (August: Improve Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals). Pressing the button while it is plugged in resets it (August: Improve Connect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals).
Red light codes on Yale Connect (Yale: Yale Connect LED guide):
| Red light | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Solid | Timed out or offline | Reset (hold 5 seconds) and set up again |
| 1 short flash | Wi-Fi setup timed out | Move closer; check for duplicate network names |
| 2 short flashes | Wi-Fi link unavailable | Check the router |
| 3 short flashes | Wi-Fi name or password changed | Reset and set up again |
| 4 to 6 short flashes | Server error | Unplug for 5 seconds |
| 7 short flashes | Bluetooth error | Move closer to the lock; reseat the lock batteries |
| 1 to 9 long flashes | Temporary error | Unplug and plug back in |
| 10 to 12 long flashes | Setup error | Reset (hold 5 seconds) |
Green light codes: solid means communicating, a slow pulse means setup mode, and repeated short flashes show firmware updating, connecting to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or a lock that is busy or cannot be found (reseat the lock batteries for that last one) (Yale: Yale Connect LED guide).
Changing your Wi-Fi network or router
For an Assure Lock 2 with a Wi-Fi module, run Connect to Wi-Fi again from the lock settings with the new network (Yale: Set up Wi-Fi on Assure Lock 2). For an August Connect or doorbell on iPhone, choose Disconnect Device in its settings, then Set up a Device again; on Android a factory reset of the Connect is required (August: Change a device’s Wi-Fi network).
Battery drain and low-battery alerts
Yale lists up to 3 months of battery life for the Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi, and August lists up to 3 months for the Wi-Fi Smart Lock (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ). August’s tips to stretch it (August: Improve Wi-Fi Smart Lock battery life):
- Check the lock is installed with the right adapter and the deadbolt moves without friction.
- Improve the Wi-Fi signal at the door; a weak signal makes the Wi-Fi radio work harder.
- Consider a Connect bridge instead of the lock’s own Wi-Fi. Both brands say their Wi-Fi locks still pair with a Connect for longer battery life; disconnect the lock’s Wi-Fi first (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ).
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock takes two 3V CR123 or CR123A lithium batteries; August does not recommend rechargeables (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ). After replacing batteries, lock and unlock 3 times from the app (over Bluetooth or a Connect) to clear the low-battery alert (August: False battery alerts).
Factory reset (last resort)
Yale Assure Lock 2: in the Yale Access app, open the settings gear, the lock, Factory Reset, Reset Lock. Without a Wi-Fi module you need to be in Bluetooth range (Yale: Factory reset Assure Lock 2). For a lock not in the app, Yale describes a hardware reset: remove the cover and one battery, hold the reset button, reinsert the battery while holding for about a minute, then wait a minute. Z-Wave must be set up again afterwards (Yale: Factory reset Assure Lock 2).
August: open the lock settings and choose Factory Reset. If a keypad is paired, reset the keypad first (August: Factory reset a lock, August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ). A reset removes access for every owner and guest and clears the activity history (August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock FAQ).
Smart locks and Wi-Fi for a reliable front door
Details come from Yale’s and August’s support pages and the Amazon listings. Locks in this section were checked for an Amazon.com offer; the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock was left out because its Amazon listings were unavailable or sold only by other sellers when checked.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi
Fingerprint and keypad deadbolt that ships with the Yale Wi-Fi module and DoorSense, per the Amazon listing. Yale’s FAQ says it falls back to Bluetooth if Wi-Fi drops and can pair with a Connect bridge for longer battery life (Yale: Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi FAQ); Wi-Fi modules gained 5 GHz support on firmware 1.0.32 (Yale: Wi-Fi modules now 5 GHz compatible).
View the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi on Amazon (affiliate link) →
We have not independently tested this product. Availability, specifications and platform support can change; confirm the details on the product listing and the manufacturer's site.
Yale Smart Lock with Matter
Skips Wi-Fi at the door entirely: it uses Matter over Thread through a border router such as Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Wifi Pro, Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, compatible Echo models or eero 6+ (Yale: Matter FAQ). The Amazon listing notes ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certification.
View the Yale Smart Lock with Matter on Amazon (affiliate link) →
We have not independently tested this product. Availability, specifications and platform support can change; confirm the details on the product listing and the manufacturer's site.
eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi (3-pack)
For a weak signal at the front door, which both brands name as a cause of dropouts and battery drain (August: Trouble connecting to Wi-Fi, August: Improve Wi-Fi Smart Lock battery life). It is also on Yale’s list of Thread border routers for the Matter lock (Yale: Matter FAQ). Amazon’s device page lists dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and a built-in Thread and Zigbee hub.
View the Amazon eero 6+ (3-pack) on Amazon (affiliate link) →
We have not independently tested this product. Availability, specifications and platform support can change; confirm the details on the product listing and the manufacturer's site.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Yale lock say offline?
The Wi-Fi link has dropped. Yale says the lock reconnects on its own; to reboot it, remove and reinsert one battery and allow a couple of minutes. It still works over Bluetooth meanwhile.
Does the Yale Assure Lock 2 work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Yes, with a Wi-Fi module on firmware 1.0.32 or later and Yale Access app 24.25.0, per Yale’s October 2025 announcement. Locks on a Connect bridge stay on 2.4 GHz.
Does the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock support 5 GHz?
Yes. August lists 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The separate August Connect bridge is 2.4 GHz only.
What does a red light on Yale Connect mean?
Count the flashes. One short flash is a Wi-Fi setup timeout, three short flashes mean the Wi-Fi name or password changed, and a solid red light means it timed out; reset and set it up again.
How far can the Connect bridge be from the lock?
Yale recommends within 15 feet, and August says 10 to 15 feet, plugged in the right way up.
Why does the app show my door unlocked when it is locked?
Recalibrate the lock and check the deadbolt is not rubbing the strike plate or hitting the end of a shallow hole.
How long do the batteries last with Wi-Fi?
Yale and August both list up to 3 months for their Wi-Fi locks. Using a Connect bridge instead of the lock’s own Wi-Fi can extend it.
How do I factory reset a Yale or August lock?
Use Factory Reset in the lock settings in the app. On August, reset any paired keypad first. Yale also describes a hardware reset button for locks not in the app.