'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
How to unlock the Yale Assure Lock SL when the batteries die
Most things around us light up, beep, talk, sing, have a touchscreen or do all of the above. Everything seems to be plugged in or use batteries, even something as simple as the deadbolt on your door. But the world turns and batteries die, so what do you do when your keyless smart lock runs out of battery power?
Many smart locks also have key access in case you do get locked out or simply prefer using your key, but keyless entry is becoming more popular. A smart lock like the Yale Assure Lock SL is completely keyless, making it lock-pick proof and more secure than the average deadbolt. But what are your options if your battery dies?
How to unlock the Yale Assure Lock SL when the batteries die
Before you pitch a tent in your front yard, get yourself a standard 9-volt battery -- available from any nearby convenience store -- and get ready to unlock your door as if you had magic powers.
Materials needed:
- 9-volt battery
- 4 AA batteries (to replace dead ones)
Estimated time: Less than 1 minute
Also: Yale Assure Lock SL review: Never get locked out again
Step 1: Get a new 9-volt battery
The Yale Assure Lock SL uses four AA batteries to operate, but a 9-volt battery will give it enough power to get into your home until you replace the dead batteries.
Step 2: Locate the two terminals under your Yale Lock's touchscreen
The base of your Yale Assure Lock SL has two terminals at the bottom of it.
Step 3: Hold the 9-volt battery up to the terminals
Once you find the terminals, simply hold the 9V battery up to them, lining up the battery's terminals with the ones on the lock.
Step 4: Wait for the screen to turn on
As soon as the battery's terminals make contact with the ones on the lock, the screen will turn on and you'll hear "Welcome to Yale real living". Simply enter your code to unlock the door.
Step 5: Replace the batteries on the lock so this doesn't happen again
Your lock will let you know when your batteries are about to die, so pay attention to the health of your device. You can promptly replace the batteries while the lock is still powered, and you won't have to run out to the store to get a 9-volt battery in the future.
FAQ
How do I change the Yale lock's batteries?
To change the batteries on a Yale Assure Lock SL, follow these steps:
- Unscrew the battery cover backplate (on the indoor side of the lock) with a Phillips head screwdriver
- Remove the old batteries and replace them for four new AA batteries
- Replace the battery cover with the screws
Will my Yale Lock reset if it runs out of batteries?
The Yale Assure Lock SL won't reset if it runs out of batteries, simply replace them and continue using them as you were before the batteries died. All your information is safely stored on the Yale app, so your lock codes and history are safe without the batteries.
How do I check my Yale lock's batteries?
If you want to check the status of the batteries in your Yale Lock Assure SL, simply go to the Yale Access App and select Settings (the gear icon to the right of your lock). This will open your settings menu, and it gives you a percentage of your battery life.
According to Yale, you'll start receiving daily low-battery notifications when your batteries reach 25% capacity. These notifications will stop after you replace the batteries and operate the lock three times to reset the low battery mode.