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SmartKey Cylinder Operational and Troubleshooting Guide

Please view the following video instructions on how to Re-Key your Kwikset Smartkey lock:

 

                

 

 

 

For written instructions on how to Re-Key your Kwikset Smartkey lock:

 

1. How to Re-key the Cylinder to a New Key

  • Step 1: Place Cylinder Into Learn Mode
    • Given:
      • Operational Key (original key that operates the cylinder)
         
    1. Insert the operational key into the key slot.
    2. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° in the clockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: keyway is horizontal).
    3. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot.
    4. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing).
    5. Remove the learning tool.
    6. Remove the key (DO NOT ROTATE KEY OR PLUG) If key can not be removed, repeat steps 1 : 3-5.
    7. The cylinder is in the learn mode (Keyway should be horizontal)

       
  • Step 2: Learn a New Key
    • Given:
      • New Key (Desired key you want to operate the lock)
      • Cylinder in the learn mode (Visual: Keyway is horizontal)
         
    1. Insert the new key into the key slot
    2. Push the key all the way into the key slot
    3. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the counterclockwise direction by at least 90° back to home
      (MAKE SURE NOT TO PULL OR PUSH THE KEY WHEN ROTATING THE PLUG)
    4. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise direction (LEARN
      POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
    5. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
      • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 1: 3 thru 7 and all of Step2: 1 thru 6.
      • If key does not pull out, proceed to step 2:6
    6. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key.
    7. The cylinder has learned the new key

2. Cylinder is in the Learn Mode Position (Keyway is Horizontal)

Given:

  • KW1 Key
  • Cylinder in the learn mode position (Keyway should be horizontal)

Procedure:

  1. With the cylinder plug keyway horizontal, insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug’s learning slot (Make sure keyway is at the horizontal position).
  2. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing).
  3. Remove the learning tool.
  4. Insert the key into the key slot.
  5. Push the key all the way into the key slot (IMPORTANT: KEY MUST BE FULLY INSERTED).
  6. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug.
  7. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: keyway is horizontal)
  8. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 1 thru 8
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 9
  9. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key.
  10. The cylinder has learned the new key

3. Cylinder Turns Only in One Direction

Procedure:

  1. Insert the key into the key slot (ALL THE WAY IN)
  2. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° from home position in the direction it turns (Keyway should be horizontal)
  3. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
  4. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
  5. Remove the learning tool
  6. Push the key to make sure it is fully inserted (DO NOT REMOVE KEY)
  7. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
  8. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  9. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 3 thru 9.
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 10
  10. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key
  11. The cylinder has learned the new key

 

4. Cylinder is Operational in Both Directions, but Key Pulls out at Any Orientation

Procedure:

  1. Insert the key into the key slot (PARTIALLY)
  2. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  3. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
  4. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
  5. Remove the learning tool
  6. Push the key to make sure it is fully inserted (DO NOT REMOVE KEY)
  7. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
  8. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  9. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 3 thru 9
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 10
  10. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key
  11. The cylinder has learned the new key

 

5. Cylinder Does Not Rotate (Use of Reset Cradle)

Procedure: 

  • Step 1: Remove Cylinder from Product (See Cylinder Removal Instructions)
     
  • Step 2: Place Cylinder Into Learn Mode
    • Given:
      • Cylinder
      • Reset Cradle
    1. The reset cradle must be in the home position before the cylinder is inserted into the reset cradle
    2. Align the key slot of the cylinder with the positional arrow on the reset cradle
    3. Insert the cylinder into the reset cradle
    4. Push the cylinder all the way into the reset cradle
    5. Turn the reset cradle into the direction of the rotational arrow until the positional arrow lines up with the tip of the rotational arrow
    6. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
    7. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
    8. Remove the learning tool (DO NOT ROTATE KEY OR PLUG)
    9. Remove the cylinder from the cradle
    10. The cylinder is in the learn mode

       
  • Step 3: Learn Key
    • Given:
      • A KW1 key
      • Cylinder (Already in learn mode)
    1. Insert the key into the key slot
    2. Push the key all the way into the key slot
    3. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
    4. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
    5. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
      • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG.
        • Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug’s learning slot
        • Push learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
        • Remove the learning tool (DO NOT ROTATE KEY OR PLUG) (Cylinder is in Learn Mode)
        • Repeat Steps 1 thru 5 of this step.
      • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 6
    6. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key
    7. The cylinder has learned the new key

 

6. Key Can Not Be Pulled Out

Procedure: 

  1. With the key inserted, rotate the cylinder plug 90° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from home (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  2. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
  3. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
  4. Remove the learning tool
  5. Push the key all the way into the key slot
  6. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
  7. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  8. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 2 thru 8.
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 9
  9. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key
  10. The cylinder has learned the new key

 

7. Cylinder Does Not Rotate (Key Inserted Partially and Cylinder Turned)

Procedure: 

  1. Insert the key into the key slot all the way in and slowly pull it out until the cylinder plug can be rotated
  2. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from home (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  3. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
  4. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click, feel slight tension while pushing)
  5. Remove the learning tool
  6. Push the key all the way into the key slot
  7. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
  8. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  9. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 3 thru 9
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 10
  10. Turn the cylinder plug into the home position, (KEYWAY IS VERTICAL) and remove key
  11. The cylinder has learned the new key

 

8. Deadbolt Cylinder is Rough Turning Either Direction

Procedure:

  1. Insert the key into the key slot (ALL THE WAY IN)
  2. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  3. Insert the learning tool (28577) into the plug's learning slot
  4. Push the learning tool into the learning slot until the carrier is latched into the learn position (will hear click)
  5. Remove the learning tool
  6. Make sure key is fully inserted (DO NOT REMOVE KEY)
  7. Rotate the cylinder plug SLOWLY in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions by at least 90° (Keyway is vertical) (Make sure not to pull or push the key when rotating the plug)
  8. Rotate the plug cylinder 90° again in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (LEARN POSITION: Keyway is horizontal)
  9. Try pulling out key (KEY SHOULD NOT PULL OUT)
    • If key pulls out, DO NOT ROTATE PLUG, repeat steps 3 thru 9
    • If key does not pull out, proceed to Step 10
  10. Rotate the cylinder plug 90° clockwise and counterclockwise and see if the rough turning or binding has disappeared
    • Repeat if necessary, but if the rough turning or binding does not disappear, direct customer to return the product

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