It is generally believed that a red light flashing on a device means something is wrong. That’s not quite the case with a keypad lock. Read on to find out what is behind a Yale keypad lock red light alert.
I am a locksmith. I have installed or carried out maintenance on many Yale keypad locks. Clients often call me in a panic when they notice a red light on their lock. I have to explain that a red light doesn’t mean that something is critically wrong.
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Like in many other devices, a red light in the status indicator is intended to alert you that something is out of order. The Yale Real Living Push Button Deadbolt has its status indicator on the top right hand corner for the outer part of the lock. On the inside part of the lock, the status indicator is on the bottom right hand corner of the section covered by the battery cover.
Let’s look at two instances when you would have a Yale keypad lock red light alert. When the battery is running low and when lock out mode is enabled.
Low Battery Alert
When battery power is low, the status indicator flashes red. This is the most common reason for a red light on your Yale lock. In addition to the red light, the lock may also give a verbal warning that the batteries need to be replaced. This warning will be heard every time the lock is operated. If the batteries are completely drained out and you are locked out, you can use the key to unlock the door manually. Alternatively, use a 9Volt batteryto power up the lock. Do this by placing the battery on the emergency battery terminal at the bottom of the lock.
Place your hand on the keypad and then enter your PIN code to unlock the door. When the door is unlocked, you can easily replace the batteries. It is difficult to tell just how long the batteries will continue to work after the red light begins to flash so it is best to replace then as soon as you notice it. It is also a good idea to keep a 9V battery in the car or somewhere where you can easily access it in case the batteries die out.
Manufactures of Yale locks recommend that users use only non-rechargeable, alkaline batteries. When other kinds of batteries are used, you may notice the status indicator light flashing red as it would when the batteries are low. This alert appears even when the batteries are not yet drained.
Lock Out Mode
All-code lock out mode is a feature in which the lock rejects all user codes. When a user attempts to enter a PIN code when the lock is in lock out mode, the status indicator flashes red and blue. The keypad flashes at the same time. The master PIN code can still be used to unlock the door. This mode is enabled using the master PIN code and can only be disabled using the same code.
Enabling and Disabling Lock out Mode
Here is how you can enable lock out mode.
- Touch the screen with your palm to activate the lock
- Enter the master PIN code then press the (#) key. This gets you into the main menu.
- Select ‘All-code lock out’ setting then press the (#) key
- Press (1) then the (#) key to enable ‘All-code lock out’ setting
To disable this setting, follow the steps above and press (3) instead of (1) at the final stage.
Lock out mode is similar to privacy mode. Under privacy mode, the lock is deactivated so a user trying to enter their code from the outside cannot gain access. It also deactivates sound on the lock. Privacy mode is activated using the privacy mode button below the thumb turn on the inside escutcheon. When this feature is enabled a blue light flashes every ten seconds. To deactivate it, push the privacy mode button to its previous position. Privacy mode can only be activated from the inside but it can be overridden by mechanically operating a key from the outside.
Conclusion
A Yale keypad lock red light alert is your lock’s way of calling for your attention. Don’t hesitate to give it. If the batteries are low, replace them immediately. If lock out mode is enabled, find out why the master user has chosen to restrict access and request him/her to disable it if necessary. Be sure toclearly differentiate lock out mode and privacy mode. The two are different modes and are used under different circumstances.
FAQ
I had my Yale lock installed a month ago and the batteries suddenly died today. Is that normal.
No it is definitely abnormal. Perhaps the batteries that were installed when the lock was installed were faulty.
The voice alert warning me that the batteries are running low is too loud for my liking. How can I adjust the volume?
When the battery cover is removed, you should be able to see a sound adjustment button. Location of this button may vary with different Yale lock models. Use this link to access user manuals specific to various models.
What is a scramble code?
This is a special feature in Yale locks used to prevent password leakage. If you are concerned that someone is watching you as you enter your user PIN code, add some random numbers before or after your actual code.
How does manual locking mode work on a Yale lock?
In this mode, the door does not lock automatically when it is closed. Refer to the specific lock model’s user manual to learn how to deactivate manual locking mode.