How to Fix the Orange Light in a Schlage Smart Lock?

1. Programming Mode

On every Schlage lock model, the orange light is used to signal that the device is undergoing a programming process. More specifically, this light indicates a successful operation and notifies users that a programming command has been accepted by the lock.

For smart locks, such as the Encode, Sense, and Connect, the orange light deliberately shows up whenever you're trying to program it manually.

Making errors during programming, skipping steps, or pressing buttons too soon, can cause the dreaded orange light to start blinking continuously.

You can read more about programming a Schlage lock here.

How to Prevent a Schlage Lock from Glitching During Manual Programming Mode

On the non-smart Touch and Keypad models, press the Schlage button repeatedly until the keypad lights up. This will reset the programming sequence, allowing you to restart the process.

If you're manually programming the smart models, you can exit the programming mode by pressing the outside Schlage logo button once. Alternatively, you can wait 30 seconds for it to time out.

Regardless, make sure to follow the programming steps in the correct order and don’t rush through each step; wait for the beeps and confirmation lights. Also, make sure your programming and user codes are valid because that can cause programming errors, especially when you have to type in the same code twice to confirm an action.

2. Low Battery

For most smart models, the orange light can stay on when it's trying to signal a low battery.

With the exception of the Schlage Encode, all other models will use the orange light to indicate a low battery whenever you unlock. So if you're greeted with a flashing orange sequence, sometimes followed by a green light or slight delay, it clearly implies that you need to replace the batteries soon.

If you want detailed instructions on how to replace the batteries in your Schlage lock, make sure to check out this guide. If you're locked out, make sure to use the backup key to unlock the door, or contact a locksmith.

3. Factory Reset

Ultimately, if you can't get out of programming mode, and replacing the batteries doesn't seem to get rid of the problem, your only course of action is to perform a factory reset.

However, please remember that a factory reset will delete all custom user and programming codes. The lock will revert to the default codes, so make sure you have these available.

Performing a factory reset on a Schlage Encode is relatively straightforward since you only need to press the reset button and wait for the indicators. For the other models, the process requires you to remove the batteries and replace them while pressing the outside Schlage button.

Regardless, don't forget to check out my factory reset guide, where I lay out the factory reset procedures specific to each model.

If a factory reset won't solve the issue, it's best to contact customer service, your lock might be malfunctioning.

Conclusion