Schlage keypad lock batteries: which to use and how to swap

One name-brand alkaline 9V battery powers a Schlage BE365 or Touch keypad lock. Schlage Encode, Sense or Connect locks need four AA alkaline batteries. Exchange them while the door is open, hold your key in your hand, and avoid lithium or rechargeable cells.

A red flashing light on the keypad or a keypad that stays dark both point to weak batteries. This guide teaches you how to identify your model, gain entry if the lock has already died, put in new batteries and verify everything works before shutting the door.

Since the battery type varies by model, you should verify this first. Check the packaging, the guide, or the documents that came with your lock for the model number. The prefix is either BE or FE. Then compare it with this table.

Two model mix-ups are frequent. The Connect Touchscreen is the BE469. The Sense is the BE479. Should your model not appear in the table, access the battery compartment and check the label within prior to purchasing anything.

If the keypad is completely dark, ensure you can open the door before touching anything. Try the first choice that matches your lock.

1. Use the key. The Encode Plus, Encode, Sense, Connect, BE365 and FE575/FE595 can be opened with a physical key. If your lock has a keyhole cover, lift it, then insert the key and turn it.
2. Jump-start a Touch lock. In this scenario, the Touch Deadbolt and Touch Lever lack any key option. Press a fresh 9V battery against the pair of metal contacts beneath the keypad. Maintain firm and continuous contact throughout the entire process. Next, input a valid code and rotate the thumb turn.
3. Check other options. Should your model not appear above, like the BE369, use the key included with the lock when it features a keyhole. Also consult your manual.

Grab a fresh 9V for the jump-start. Never toss loose 9V batteries into a pocket or drawer alongside keys or coins, since the pair of terminals on top may make contact with metal and short out. Swap in fresh batteries as soon as you are inside.

Should your lock lack both a key and jump-start contacts, you’ll require an alternative entry method: a spare key with another person, a different door, or a locksmith. Get this sorted out before the batteries completely die.

Get name-brand alkaline batteries that are fresh and have plenty of shelf life left. With a 9V lock, this means one 9V. For an Encode, Sense or Connect, that is four AA batteries. For a BE369, get three AA batteries and one 9V.

Swap out every battery in the lock simultaneously. Do not mix old batteries with new ones, or combine two brands.

You require a Phillips screwdriver. Open the door and keep it open. The 9V is located in the interior portion of the lock.

1. Take out the two screws that secure the inside cover.
2. Take off the cover. Wires run to the battery, so do not pull hard.
3. Disconnect the old 9V from its connector and place it aside.
4. Snap the new 9V onto the connector.
5. Position the wires so they rest clear of the screw posts and the cover’s edges. Crushed wiring leads to problems down the road.
6. Put the cover back on and tighten the two screws.

Don’t place the old battery in curbside recycling. Bring it to a battery drop-off location. Schlage’s own instructions are found in its guide for replacing the battery in keypad and Touch locks (new tab).

On a BE369, swap out the 9V in the same manner, then swap out the three AA cells as well. For the AA holder, follow the manual.

YouTube · Smart TechVilleHow to Change Battery on Schlage Keypad Door Lock (BE365)1:35

For the Encode (BE489WB, BE499WB, FE789WB), refer to Schlage’s Encode battery guide (new tab). Below are the fundamental steps.

1. Open the door and remain inside.
2. Take off the battery cover on the interior side of the lock.
3. Pull the battery holder upward and out.
4. Remove the four old AA batteries.
5. Put four fresh alkaline AA batteries in. Align the plus and minus symbols marked in the holder.
6. As Schlage’s guide describes, turn the holder back so it faces the door, and slide it back in. Then reattach the cover.

The Sense and Connect also take four AA batteries. Should the holder or cover on your lock appear different, consult the manual for your model.

Do not leave the house until the lock successfully passes these checks. Leave the door open the entire time.

1. Type a user code into the keypad and watch the bolt move.
2. Secure it once more using the keypad or the thumb turn.
3. Try the physical key in the keyhole if your lock has one. If the batteries die again, your backup is a working key.
4. Type an incorrect code and check that the lock turns it down.

Since Schlage locks keep user codes in the lock’s memory, a routine battery change should preserve them. Check any code that stops working now, while you still have access from the inside.

When fresh batteries fail to solve the lock’s problems, review the possible reasons listed underneath individually.

1. Old or cheap batteries. A 9V left in a drawer for years might be weak. Swap in a different new name-brand alkaline battery from another package.
2. Lithium or rechargeable cells. Swap them out for alkaline.
3. Loose connector. For 9V locks, firmly press the battery snap onto the battery terminals.
4. Pinched wires. Reopen the cover and verify that no wire is caught beneath the cover or a screw post.
5. Wrong orientation. For AA locks, verify every battery using the plus and minus symbols. Inspect the holder’s position as well.

When the batteries deplete within a few months, verify the lock type in step 1. If other issues persist after a successful battery swap, like an unresponsive keypad, see Schlage keypad lock not working: 8 fixes that keep your codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock a Schlage keypad lock with a dead battery?

On the Encode Plus, Encode, Sense, Connect, BE365 and FE575/FE595, use the physical key. With a Touch Deadbolt or Touch Lever, press a fresh 9V battery to the contacts beneath the keypad, maintain the connection, input a valid code and rotate the thumb turn. Soon afterward, swap out the batteries.

Why is my Schlage lock still not working after I changed the batteries?

Potential causes include an aged or inexpensive battery, lithium or rechargeable cells, a connector that is loose, and a wire pinched beneath the cover. First, try a new name-brand alkaline battery, followed by an inspection of the connector and wires.

Can I use lithium or rechargeable batteries in my Schlage lock?

Schlage advises against using them. On the BE365, lithium batteries may fail without warning, while rechargeable or generic batteries might not provide sufficient power. Choose name-brand alkaline batteries.

How often should I change the batteries in a Schlage lock?

For a BE365, Schlage suggests swapping out the 9V battery annually. For other keypad locks, an annual battery change is also a smart routine. Swap them sooner if the keypad light flashes red.

Will I lose my user codes when I change the battery?

A normal battery change should not erase them, because Schlage locks keep codes in the lock’s memory. Before leaving, test one code while the door is open. For other brands, consult our guides on the Nest Yale lock or the Eufy smart lock.

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