Schlage Lock Not Locking From Outside; Why and What To Do?

In this article, we’ll cover why your Schlage lock not locking from outside in detail and how to fix this problem quickly to make it work again.

Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by Vincent Zhu

If you have a Schlage deadbolt lock and it’s not locking from the outside, there are many reasons why this could be happening. So, in this article, we’ll cover why your Schlage lock is not locking from the outside in detail and how to fix this problem in some easy ways.

Why is the Schlage lock not locking from the outside?

There are a few reasons why the Schlage lock would not be locking from the outside.

• You may have set the Schlage lock to the “unlocked” mode, like the Schlage FE595 model.
• The Schlage lock latch is not aligned correctly.
• The battery in your Schlage lock is dead.
• You have turned off the Schlage Turn Lock feature.
• Invalid user code used for your Schlage locks when the Schlage Turn Lock feature is disabled.
• Your Schlage locks or latch is not installed correctly.

Now, let’s analyze these possible problems and offer related troubleshooting tips.

Check the latch alignment.

The most common problem with Schlage locks is that the latch is incorrectly aligned. The two posts at the bottom of your doorframe should be straight and even so that they meet with the related posts on your deadbolt.

• The latch plate for your deadbolt should align with (or near) the strike plate of your doorframe when it’s closed so that there’s no gap between them when you close it all up and lock it from inside or outside your dwelling.
• Ensuring that the latch and strike plate are perfectly aligned is essential. The latch should be straight and not bent at an angle, so if it has been knocked out of alignment, you may need to gently bend it back into place.

Also, make sure that the latch is centered on your doorjamb—it shouldn’t be too low or too high on either side of the doorjamb; this will cause problems with locking and unlocking later on as well as tampering by burglars who might use tools like screwdrivers or crowbars to pry open a locked door which has poor latch placement (or one which uses weak hardware).

If your door has a deadbolt, ensure it is fully inserted into the strike plate. This will help prevent it from being pried open with crowbars or other tools.

For information about Schlage deadbolt installation, please check this article: How To Install A Schlage Deadbolt? Expert Step-by-Step Guide.

Check whether you set the lock to unlocked mode(FE595 Only)

The Schlage FE595 lock has an “unlocked” mode. In this mode, no user code is required to open the door, and you cannot lock it from outside.

If your Schlage lock FE595 does not lock from the outside, check that the thumbturn is rotated adequately into a vertical position(this means this lock is in the “unlocked” mode) before trying again.

If you want to turn off this mode and let it lock from the outside, rotate the thumbturn back to the horizontal position, enabling the automatic locking function once again., which will be disabled until you change it again (be careful as some Schlage locks do not have this ability).

For more problems with the Schlage FE595 lock, please check this article: Schlage FE595 troubleshooting: Detailed Step-by-Step Guide.

Check if the Turn Lock feature is disabled or not.

Another reason you cannot lock the door from the outside is the Schlage turn lock feature is disabled.

The turn lock feature can let you lock the Schlage door by rotating its thumbturn away from your hinge. When this is disabled, a valid user code must be entered to lock the door.

​If it was previously enabled but has been disabled on purpose or by accident, you must have a valid user code to lock and open the Schlage lock.

To enable the Schlage turn lock feature:

1. Enter the digits Programming Code, and wait for 3 Orange Lights + 3 Beeps.
2. Press the Schlage button, and the keypad lights up.
3. Press the number “7” on the keypad; then, you will see 1 Green Light and hear 1 Long Beep.
4. Now you have enabled the Schlage turn lock feature successfully.
5. Test locking your Schlage lock outside by pressing the Schlage button and rotating the thumb turn. You should be able to lock your deadbolt without a user code.

Check your user code.

For some security reasons, if you have disabled the Schlage turn lock feature, you must enter a valid user code to lock the door. Please double-check that you are using the correct user code.

If you forget your user code, you must add a new user code to the Schlage lock or factory reset your Schlage lock.

Check if the battery is low and Change batteries if necessary

When the Schlage lock battery is dead, you can not lock your Schlage lock with a user code from outside.

The next thing you should do is check the battery life; if it’s low, change the Schlage lock batteries. Make sure to use suitable batteries for your Schlage lock.

To change the battery for your Schlage locks:

1. Remove the inside cover.
2. Replace the battery.
3. Re-tuck wires so they will not be crimped. Replace the cover.

Please note: Replace the batteries in your lock at the same time each year that you test and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. This will ensure continued reliable operation. Use a high-quality alkaline 9-volt battery for replacement.

Check whether you have enabled Lock Override and turned off the keypad;

The Lock Override can be used to turn off the keypad altogether. Therefore, if you have enabled Lock Override and turned off the keypad, you can no longer use the keypad to lock the door from the outside. You can only use a thumbturn and A Physical Key to lock and unlock the door.

Lock Override will allow someone who has a master key for an individual door to lock or unlock that door without having access to other codes.

If you have enabled Lock Override and turned off the keypad, you must use a physical key to lock or unlock the door from the outside.

To Disable lock override:

• Remove the inside cover.
• Disconnect and remove the battery.
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to rotate the lock override slot to NORMAL.
• Re-tuck wires so they will not be crimped. Replace the cover.

Try factory resetting

Factory resetting a Schlage lock is a way to clear the lock’s memory and start from scratch. You can do this by pressing and holding the Schlage button on the back of your device, using a paperclip to press and release its reset button, and then pressing and holding both buttons for 10 seconds before releasing them.

Conclusion

Schlage is one of the best locks on the market and can handle all your security concerns. We hope that this guide has helped you find a solution to your particular problem. If it did not, we recommend calling the Schlage customer service team, who will be happy to assist you with any other questions or concerns!