Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off Wi-Fi
3rd Feb 2026
Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off Wi-Fi
And why it’s almost never the lock itself
Customer question:
“My smart lock has been installed for a couple of weeks and has already dropped off the Wi-Fi twice. I’ve had to power-cycle it to get it working again. Is something wrong with the lock?”
The short answer: almost always no.
In the vast majority of cases, Wi-Fi dropouts are caused by the home network environment, not a fault with the lock or its bridge.
What Usually Causes These Dropouts?
? 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz
Smart lock bridges operate on 2.4 GHz only. Many modern routers merge both bands under one network name.
When the router switches bands automatically, smart devices can briefly lose connection. Phones cope with this. Locks don’t.
? “Smart” Router Features
Features designed to optimise Wi-Fi can actually disrupt IoT devices:
- Mesh systems
- Band steering
- Automatic channel changes
? Router Updates & Optimisation
Routers sometimes disconnect devices briefly during firmware updates or background optimisation.
After repeated failures, a bridge may stop retrying until power is cycled.
? Doors Block Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi struggles with:
- Brick and concrete
- Steel frames
- Security doors and screens
Metal doors are especially good at killing signal.
? Weak Signal at the Bridge
If the bridge receives a weak or unstable signal, you’ll see random dropouts and slow app response.
? Bridge-to-Door Distance
The bridge uses Bluetooth to talk to the lock.
Best results are achieved when the bridge is within 5 metres of the door.
Why Power Cycling Works
Power cycling forces a fresh connection attempt.
If this restores normal operation, it strongly points to a signal-quality or network behaviour issue, not faulty hardware.
How to Improve Stability
- Connect the bridge to a 2.4 GHz-only network.
- Check Wi-Fi strength at the bridge location.
- Add a Wi-Fi extender or mesh node near the door if needed.
- Keep the lock firmware and mobile app fully up to date.
If Problems Continue
Please let us know:
- Router brand and model
- Distance from router to bridge
- Distance from bridge to door
- Whether there is clear line of sight
Bottom line: If a smart lock reconnects after a power cycle, the issue is almost always Wi-Fi quality — not the lock. Once the network is dialled in, smart locks are extremely reliable.