Why Won't My August Lock DoorSense Work?

Problem Description

DoorSense is August's door-position sensor that tells the lock whether the door is open or closed, enabling features like lock-on-close. When it's not working, the lock can't tell the door's state, so status is wrong or missing and Auto-Lock behaves oddly.

Why This Happens in Real Homes

DoorSense is what gives an August lock its sense of whether the door is actually open or closed, powering the smart lock-on-close behavior — so when it "isn't working," the lock loses that awareness. It's a magnet-and-sensor pair, so the problem is nearly always installation and alignment rather than electronics.

Make sure DoorSense is installed and calibrated in the app, with the jamb magnet lined up directly opposite the lock's sensor at a small, consistent gap. Re-secure a magnet that's come loose, adjust for any metal interference, and confirm the lock itself is mounted square so the sensor sits where expected. Once aligned and calibrated, DoorSense reliably reports the door state.

Symptoms

• DoorSense not detecting the door
• No open/closed status
• Status stuck or missing
• Auto-lock relies on it and fails
• Won't calibrate
• Reads incorrectly
• 'DoorSense not set up' prompt
• Intermittent detection

Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.

Common Causes

• DoorSense not installed or calibrated
• Magnet misaligned or too far
• Magnet loose or fell off
• Wrong mounting position/height
• Metal interference
• Firmware issue
• Lock not seated squarely (sensor offset)
• DoorSense feature not enabled

Tools & Requirements

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Check the DoorSense magnet placement

DoorSense uses a small magnet on the door frame that the lock detects when the door is closed. The magnet must be mounted within 1-1.5 inches of the DoorSense sensor on the lock body, at the same height. If the magnet has fallen off or shifted, DoorSense cannot detect the door state. Check the magnet — reattach it with the included adhesive strip or use a stronger adhesive if the original has failed.

Needed for this step

Door Latch Strike Plate, Stainless Steel Door L...

This helps complete the fix you are currently reading.

$7.49

View Needed Item

2

Surface mount the magnet if flush mounting fails

Flush-mounting the magnet inside the door frame often causes problems — the frame material dampens the magnetic field, and door vibration can shift the magnet over time. Surface-mounting on the face of the frame provides a stronger, more reliable signal. Use the included adhesive pad to stick the magnet on the frame surface directly adjacent to the lock. This is also easier to adjust if the reading is intermittent.

3

Recalibrate DoorSense

Open the August app, go to Lock Settings > DoorSense > Recalibrate. Close the door fully and tap Next. Open the door and tap Next. The lock re-learns the magnetic signature difference between open and closed. After calibrating, test by opening and closing the door several times — the app should update the status within 1-2 seconds each time. If the status does not change, the magnet is too far from the sensor.

4

Check for firmware issues

A known firmware update (version 1.61.0 on the Smart Lock Pro) broke DoorSense for many users by wiping the calibration data. Check your firmware version in the August app under Lock Settings > Firmware. If you recently updated and DoorSense stopped working, recalibrate. If recalibration fails after the update, contact August support — some firmware versions require a server-side reset before DoorSense can be recalibrated.

5

Check for other magnetic interference

Magnetic door catches, metal weather stripping, steel door frames, or magnetic cabinet catches near the lock can create competing magnetic fields that confuse DoorSense. Remove or relocate any magnets within 6 inches of the DoorSense sensor. If your door has a metal frame, the frame itself may interfere — try moving the DoorSense magnet to a different position on the frame where the signal is clearer.

Quick Solutions

Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.

Need More Help? August Home Support

Note: The contact information below connects you directly to August Home's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.

How Does August Home Compare?

Before replacing your August Home device, see how it stacks up against alternatives in our full comparison guides.