Why Did My August Smart Lock DoorSense and Z-Wave Stop Working After the 1.61.0 Security Firmware Update?
- Security firmware update changed Z-Wave radio encryption parameters breaking existing hub pairing
- DoorSense magnetometer calibration data wiped during firmware flash and not restored
- Z-Wave S2 security handshake became incompatible after encryption implementation changed
Problem Description
After August pushed the mandatory firmware 1.61.0 security update (from 1.59.0) your August Smart Lock Pro DoorSense has stopped detecting door open and closed states and Z-Wave integration with Home Assistant or SmartThings has completely stopped working. The lock still physically locks and unlocks via the August app over Bluetooth but DoorSense permanently shows unknown and the Z-Wave radio no longer communicates with your hub. Hundreds of August lock owners reported this exact issue on the Home Assistant community forums after the security firmware was applied. August stated the update was necessary for security but it broke Z-Wave protocol compatibility and wiped DoorSense calibration.
Symptoms
- DoorSense permanently shows door state as unknown and never detects open or closed
- Z-Wave integration with Home Assistant shows August lock as unavailable or dead node
- SmartThings cannot communicate with August lock via Z-Wave after security firmware
- Lock still works via August app Bluetooth but all Z-Wave automations completely broken
- DoorSense recalibration completes in app but status immediately reverts to unknown
- Home Assistant Z-Wave JS log shows August lock node as failed with timeout errors
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Security firmware update changed Z-Wave radio encryption parameters breaking existing hub pairing
- DoorSense magnetometer calibration data wiped during firmware flash and not restored
- Z-Wave S2 security handshake became incompatible after encryption implementation changed
- Lock Z-Wave module requires full exclusion and re-inclusion after radio parameter changes
- DoorSense sensitivity threshold changed in new firmware requiring magnet repositioning
- August Connect bridge also updated breaking the relay between bridge and lock
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
If your August lock Z-Wave is your only way to remotely lock and unlock your door make sure the August app Bluetooth and Connect bridge are working as a backup before attempting Z-Wave exclusion and re-inclusion. You do not want to be locked out during the process.
Tools & Requirements
Step-by-Step Solution
Recalibrate DoorSense and Reposition Magnet
The security firmware wiped the DoorSense magnetometer calibration and may have changed the sensitivity threshold. Open the August app and go to Lock Settings then DoorSense then Recalibrate. Close the door fully and confirm. Open fully and confirm. If DoorSense still shows unknown after calibration the magnet needs to be closer. Remove the adhesive DoorSense magnet from the frame. Clean the surface. Reattach within 10mm of the lock body when the door is closed. The magnet must align with the sensor at the top of the interior assembly. Recalibrate again and test with 5 open-close cycles.
Exclude Lock From Z-Wave Network
The security firmware changed Z-Wave encryption parameters so your hub no longer has valid keys for the lock. In Home Assistant go to Settings then Devices and Services then Z-Wave JS then click the three dot menu and select Manage Nodes then Exclusion. Press the lock button on the August interior side once. The hub confirms exclusion and removes the stale node. In SmartThings go to your hub device and select Z-Wave Utilities then Z-Wave Exclude then trigger the lock button. This clears the incompatible encryption keys from both the hub and the lock radio.
Re-Include Lock With Fresh S2 Keys
After exclusion immediately re-include the lock. In Home Assistant Z-Wave JS click Include Node. On the August lock press the lock button once to enter inclusion mode. The hub detects the lock and prompts for S2 security class selection. Accept all security classes offered including S2 Authenticated and S2 Access Control. Inclusion takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once complete the lock appears as a new healthy node. Test lock and unlock commands from Home Assistant to verify two-way Z-Wave communication is working. Set up your automations again pointing to the new node entity.
Power Cycle Connect Bridge
If you use the August Connect WiFi Bridge for remote access the bridge firmware also updated alongside the lock. Unplug the Connect bridge from USB power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug back in and wait for the LED to turn solid green indicating WiFi and cloud reconnection. The bridge needs to re-establish its Bluetooth connection to the lock which takes up to 5 minutes. Verify in the August app that Remote Connect shows as active. If the bridge LED stays amber it cannot find the lock and you may need to move the bridge closer to the lock location.
Factory Reset If Z-Wave Inclusion Fails
If the lock will not enter inclusion mode or the hub cannot detect it after exclusion a factory reset clears all radio states. For the August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen remove all four AA batteries. Hold the lock button on the interior assembly while reinserting batteries. Hold for 10 seconds until LED flashes rapidly then release. Re-add the lock in the August app first to re-establish Bluetooth. Then perform Z-Wave inclusion from your hub. The factory reset clears all stored Z-Wave network keys and radio parameters forcing the lock to accept fresh pairing from any hub.
Quick Solutions
Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.
If the keypad rejects valid codes, a lockout timer may be running — five failed entries locks most keypads silently for 5–10 minutes.
After any August firmware update check your Z-Wave integrations immediately. Do not wait for automations to silently fail. The security firmware update has been the most disruptive August update ever released and future security patches may cause similar Z-Wave breaks.
Firmware updates that wipe settings are more common than brands admit — many devices silently reset to factory defaults on an OTA push with no warning.
- Security firmware update changed Z-Wave radio encryption parameters breaking
- DoorSense magnetometer calibration data wiped during firmware flash and
- Z-Wave S2 security handshake became incompatible
- Lock Z-Wave module requires full exclusion and re-inclusion
- DoorSense sensitivity threshold changed in new firmware
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
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Official Manufacturer Manual
If you need the complete manufacturer documentation for advanced setup, wiring diagrams, or detailed specifications, you can download the official manual below. The manual includes full technical instructions directly from the manufacturer and may help if your issue requires deeper troubleshooting.
Download the Official August Smart Lock Pro ManualSource: august.com
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.
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