Why Won't My August Lock Align During Installation?
- Wrong adapter for the thumbturn
- Mount not centered on the thumbturn axis
- Mounting plate loose or not square
Problem Description
Getting an August lock installed and aligned means mounting it squarely over your deadbolt's thumbturn with the right adapter so the motor can turn the bolt freely. Poor alignment causes jams, failed calibration, and unreliable locking.
Why This Happens in Real Homes
August locks replace only the interior thumbturn, so a clean install is all about alignment: the lock body must sit square and centered over the thumbturn's axis, gripped by the right adapter, so the motor turns the bolt without fighting it. Misalignment is what causes the jams and failed calibrations people hit right after installing.
Confirm the deadbolt turns freely by hand into an aligned strike first, then mount the plate square and tight, fit the adapter that matches your thumbturn (using the included spacers), and center the lock on the turn's axis. Install fresh AA batteries and calibrate. A square mount over a free-moving deadbolt is the foundation everything else depends on.
Symptoms
- Lock won't sit flush/square
- Jams after install
- Calibration fails post-install
- Adapter won't grip the thumbturn
- Motor strains
- Mount feels loose
- Bolt won't fully throw
- Thumbturn too big/small for the adapter
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Wrong adapter for the thumbturn
- Mount not centered on the thumbturn axis
- Mounting plate loose or not square
- Deadbolt itself stiff or misaligned
- Thumbturn resistance too high
- Wrong-size adapter/spacers
- Door/strike misalignment
- Batteries not installed or low
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
Always keep a physical backup key accessible outside your home in case of total lock failure. Never perform a factory reset while locked out as this may disable all electronic access. Ensure battery level is above 50 percent before firmware updates to prevent corruption.
Tools & Requirements
These tools will help you complete this fix.
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Screwdriver
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Step-by-Step Solution
Check the deadbolt alignment before installing the lock
Before mounting the August lock, test your existing deadbolt manually. Close the door and turn the thumb turn — the bolt should extend and retract smoothly with minimal resistance. If it is stiff, the strike plate is misaligned with the bolt. The August lock motor is not strong enough to force a misaligned deadbolt, so you must fix the alignment first. Adjust the strike plate position until the bolt slides freely.
Choose the right adapter
The August lock includes multiple adapters to fit different deadbolt thumb turn shapes. Hold each adapter against your thumb turn and find the one that fits snugly. The adapter must grip the thumb turn firmly — if it is loose, the motor spins the adapter without turning the bolt. If none of the included adapters fit, check the August support page for additional adapters or use the adjustable adapter if one is included.
Mount the backplate flat
Remove the interior thumb turn assembly from your deadbolt (the two screws holding the interior escutcheon). The August mounting plate screws into these same holes. The mounting plate must sit flat against the door — if your door has a decorative molding or raised panel that prevents flat mounting, use the included spacer ring to bridge the gap. A plate that is not flat causes the lock to sit crooked, which misaligns the motor with the thumb turn.
Attach the lock body and test
Place the lock body onto the mounting plate. It should click into place with the adapter engaging the thumb turn. Before calibrating in the app, manually test by pressing the lock and unlock buttons on the lock body. The bolt should extend and retract fully. If it stalls or strains, remove the lock and check: is the adapter seated correctly? Is the mounting plate flat? Is the deadbolt stiff?
Fix alignment issues on warped or old doors
Older doors and frames can warp, creating seasonal alignment issues — the lock works in summer but jams in winter when wood swells, or vice versa. If the deadbolt is stiff only at certain times of year, enlarge the strike plate hole slightly with a file or chisel to give the bolt more clearance. Replacing short strike plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the door frame stud also pulls the frame tighter and improves alignment. After any adjustment, recalibrate the lock.
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.
Set up auto-lock to engage 30 seconds after the door closes so you never accidentally leave it unlocked. Create temporary access codes for guests and service workers that automatically expire after a set time period.
Most smart lock failures people label as hardware issues turn out to be a code wiped during a sync, or a setting reset nobody remembers triggering.
- Wrong adapter for the thumbturn
- Mount not centered on the thumbturn axis
- Mounting plate loose or not square
- Deadbolt itself stiff or misaligned
- Thumbturn resistance too high
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
Most popular upgrades chosen by August Smart Lock owners.
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Official Manufacturer Manual
August Home provides official product documentation through their online manual rather than downloadable PDF. Access setup guides, troubleshooting steps, and product specifications for your August Smart Lock.
Source: 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.
How Does August Home Compare?
Before replacing your August Home device, see how it stacks up against alternatives in our full comparison guides.
Accessories owners commonly pair with August Smart Lock.
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