The Top 5 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Installing Smart Locks

Smart locks sound simple: buy one you like, screw it into the door, connect it to Wi-Fi, and enjoy keyless living.
But ask any professional locksmith—and they’ll tell you that smart lock installations go wrong more often than homeowners expect.

At Brothers Locksmith, we get dozens of calls from people whose newly installed smart lock should work perfectly… but doesn’t. Sometimes it’s a misaligned deadbolt, sometimes it’s a Wi-Fi issue, and sometimes it’s the kind of mistake you only make once.

If you’re thinking about installing one yourself, here are the top five mistakes homeowners make—and how to avoid them so your smart lock works exactly the way it was designed to.

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1. Installing a Smart Lock on a Misaligned or Warped Door

This is the number one mistake, and it’s the silent killer of smart locks.
Homeowners think the lock is defective, but the real problem is the door, not the device.

Smart locks rely on a tiny motor that has to extend and retract the deadbolt smoothly.
But when the deadbolt hole doesn’t line up—even by a few millimeters—the motor strains, stalls, or drains the batteries like crazy.

Real example from Brothers Locksmith:
A homeowner complained his lock “kept dying every week.” The cause wasn’t the smart lock—it was his swollen wooden door. Once we re-aligned the frame and adjusted the strike plate, the lock worked flawlessly for months.

Bottom line:
If your door doesn’t close smoothly by hand, it won’t work smoothly with a smart lock.

2. Choosing a Lock That Isn’t Compatible With the Door

Not all smart locks fit all doors—even though packaging makes it seem that way.

Homeowners often buy a lock because it looks cool, but never check:

• Door thickness
• Backset measurements
• Deadbolt size
• Bore hole diameter
• Whether the door has a handle-and-deadbolt combo
• Steel vs. wood door differences

One small mismatch means the lock won’t sit flush, won’t secure properly, or won’t even mount.

Brothers Locksmith often ends up resizing holes, reinforcing doors, or replacing outdated deadbolts just to make the smart lock fit safely.

If it doesn’t fit right, it won’t secure right.

3. Forgetting That Smart Locks Need Strong, Reliable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

Manufacturers promote smart locks as futuristic and effortless—but what they don’t emphasize enough is connectivity.

A smart lock that depends on Wi-Fi but is installed on a door far from the router will:

• Delay responses
• Fail to lock/unlock via the app
• Drop offline randomly
• Refuse to integrate with Alexa/Google Home

Same goes for Bluetooth models:
If your phone’s signal is weak or inconsistent, the lock becomes temperamental.

Many homeowners think the lock is “glitchy,” when the issue is their home network, not the device.

Professional locksmiths know how to test signal strength at the door before installation. If needed, they’ll recommend repeaters or alternative lock models that don’t rely solely on Wi-Fi.

4. Not Setting Up a Manual Backup or Learning How It Works

Every locksmith has seen this:
A homeowner installs a beautiful new smart lock… and has no clue where the manual keyhole is.

Then one day the lock battery dies at midnight, and panic begins.

A smart lock is still a lock. It needs:

• A backup manual key
• A functioning keyway
• A homeowner who knows how to use the override properly

Ignoring this is a recipe for lockouts.

One of the first things Brothers Locksmith teaches during installation is how to use the key override and how to prevent lockouts, because technology can fail, but a backup never does.

5. Skipping Reinforcement and Assuming “Smart” Means “Secure Enough”

Smart doesn’t always mean strong.

Homeowners often install a smart lock on:

• Thin doors
• Weak frames
• Old strike plates
• Doors with gaps
• Non-reinforced jambs

A burglar doesn’t care whether your lock has Wi-Fi.
If the door can be kicked in, your smart features won’t matter.

A professional locksmith strengthens the entire door system:

• Upgraded strike plate
• Longer screws
• Reinforced frame
• Proper deadbolt depth
• Tight door alignment

The lock is only as strong as what it’s attached to.

Bonus: Not Updating the Firmware or Configuring Security Settings

Most homeowners never touch the app after installation.
That’s dangerous.

Outdated firmware = glitches + vulnerabilities
Default codes = security risk
Open integrations = potential hacking points

A locksmith ensures:

• Firmware is updated
• Default PINs are changed
• Auto-lock timing is set
• Notifications are enabled
• Guest access is properly configured

The tech side matters just as much as the hardware.

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Why Professional Installation Saves You Headaches, Time, and Money

Installing a smart lock isn’t like installing a regular deadbolt.
There’s wiring, fitting, alignment, coding, syncing, and network testing involved.

Every week, Brothers Locksmith fixes DIY jobs that went wrong—not because homeowners aren’t capable, but because smart locks are precise systems. One small mistake can cause:

• Battery drain
• Jamming
• Wi-Fi failures
• Partial locking
• Security risks
• Complete lockouts

Professional installation ensures your lock works the way it should on day one—and stays reliable for years.

Conclusion: Avoid These Mistakes for a Smooth, Secure Smart Lock Experience

Smart locks are incredibly convenient, but only when installed correctly. Avoiding these common mistakes can save you from lockouts, system failures, or weak security.

If your door needs adjusting, your Wi-Fi isn’t strong, or you're unsure which lock fits your setup, calling a professional like Brothers Locksmith is the safest way forward. They make sure the lock is aligned, secure, integrated, and ready for everyday use—without surprises.