How to Test Smart Lock After Installation - Complete Checklist

Installed but not tested:
❌ Discover jam when guests arrive (emergency)
❌ Find misalignment after door already painted
❌ Code doesn't work when you need it
❌ Auto-lock fails, left unlocked overnight
❌ Battery drains fast due to poor signal

Properly tested:
✅ Issues caught immediately (easy to fix)
✅ Confidence in reliability
✅ No surprises during daily use
✅ Optimization opportunities identified

☑️ Test 1: Manual operation (door open)
   - Turn thumb turn → Extends smoothly
   - Turn opposite → Retracts smoothly
   - No grinding or resistance

☑️ Test 2: Manual operation (door closed)
   - Lock manually → Deadbolt enters strike smoothly
   - Unlock manually → Deadbolt retracts cleanly
   - Repeat 3 times

☑️ Test 3: App control
   - Lock via app → Works within 2 seconds
   - Unlock via app → Works within 2 seconds
   - Status updates immediately

☑️ Test 4: Keypad (if equipped)
   - Enter PIN → Unlocks
   - Repeat with 2 different codes
   - No error beeps

☑️ Test 5: Battery and signal check
   - Battery shows 100% (new batteries)
   - Signal strength good (RSSI > -75)
   - Lock shows "Online"

Purpose: Ensure deadbolt aligned with strike plate

□ Open door
□ Extend deadbolt manually
□ Close door SLOWLY while watching
□ Deadbolt should:
  ✅ Enter strike hole smoothly
  ✅ Not hit metal edge
  ✅ No grinding or scraping

□ If misaligned:
  - Stop immediately
  - Adjust strike plate
  - Re-test until perfect

□ Mark as PASS only if:
  - Zero resistance
  - Zero sound (except soft click at end)
  - Works from multiple door positions (push/pull slightly)

Purpose: Verify mechanical reliability

Perform 50 lock/unlock cycles:
□ 10× via app
□ 10× via keypad (different codes)
□ 10× manual thumb turn
□ 10× with door closed
□ 10× with door open

Track failures:
- How many times it jammed? ___
- How many timeouts? ___
- How many error beeps? ___

Goal: 0 failures in 50 attempts (100% success rate)

Acceptable: 1-2 failures (98%+ rate)
Fail: 3+ failures (needs troubleshooting)

☑️ App unlock
   - iOS app (if applicable)
   - Android app (if applicable)
   - Web dashboard (if available)

☑️ Voice control (if integrated)
   - "Alexa, unlock front door"
   - "Hey Google, unlock front door"
   - "Hey Siri, unlock front door"
   - Should require authentication

☑️ Keypad codes
   - Master code
   - User code 1
   - User code 2
   - Temporary code (if set)

☑️ Physical key (if equipped)
   - Insert and turn
   - Should override electronics

☑️ Auto-lock (if enabled)
   - Lock door manually
   - Wait auto-lock timeout (30 sec, 5 min, etc.)
   - Verify lock engages automatically

☑️ Auto-unlock (if enabled)
   - Walk away 300m
   - Return to door
   - Should unlock automatically

☑️ Rapid operations
   - Lock → Immediately unlock → Lock
   - Should handle rapid commands
   - No timeout or confusion

☑️ Interrupted operation
   - Start lock command
   - Manually turn thumb turn mid-operation
   - Lock should complete or gracefully fail

☑️ Wrong code handling
   - Enter incorrect PIN 3 times
   - Verify lockout behavior (if applicable)
   - Verify error beeps/messages

☑️ Low battery simulation
   - Remove 1 battery (lock should warn)
   - Replace battery
   - Verify low battery alert works

☑️ Response time
   - Measure 10 app commands
   - Average should be <1 second (local)
   - <3 seconds (WiFi cloud)

☑️ Command success rate
   - All 10 commands should succeed
   - No timeouts
   - No "No Response" errors

☑️ Status updates
   - Lock manually
   - Check app updates within 5 seconds
   - Should show "Locked" accurately

☑️ Offline recovery
   - Unplug hub (Zigbee/Z-Wave)
   - Wait 2 minutes
   - Replug hub
   - Lock should reconnect within 5 minutes

☑️ Tamper detection (if equipped)
   - Try to remove lock forcefully
   - Should trigger alarm/notification

☑️ Deadbolt monitoring
   - Lock door electronically
   - Manually turn deadbolt from inside
   - App should show "Unlocked" (senses manual override)

☑️ Door ajar sensor (if equipped)
   - Lock while door open
   - Should warn "Door open" (if supported)

☑️ Auto-relock after unlock
   - Unlock door
   - Don't open door
   - Should re-lock after timeout (if enabled)

Day 1 (after installation):
□ Perform full test
□ Use lock normally
□ Monitor for any issues

Day 2 (24 hours later):
□ Check battery level (should be 100% or 95-99%)
□ Check lock still online
□ Verify no unexpected behavior
□ Test 10 more operations

Pass criteria:
✅ No jams in 24 hours
✅ No offline events
✅ Battery level stable
✅ All operations smooth

Fail criteria:
❌ Any jam
❌ Went offline even once
❌ Battery dropped >5%
❌ Any unexpected behavior

If fail: Troubleshoot before daily use

□ Basic Test (5 min)
  □ Manual lock/unlock (door open) 3×
  □ Manual lock/unlock (door closed) 3×
  □ App lock/unlock 2×
  □ Keypad unlock 2×
  □ Battery 100%, Signal good

□ Full Test (20 min)
  □ Alignment perfect (no grinding)
  □ 50-cycle stress test (0-2 failures)
  □ All access methods work
  □ Edge cases handled
  □ Network stable (<1 sec response)
  □ Safety features functional

□ 24-Hour Burn-In
  □ Day 1: Full test passed
  □ Day 2: No issues in 24 hours
  □ Battery stable
  □ Ready for daily use

Installation complete: ___________
                      (Date/Time)

Tested by: ___________

Issues found: ___________

Resolution: ___________

□ Adjust strike plate alignment
□ Enlarge strike hole 1-2mm
□ Loosen mounting screws 1/4 turn
□ Re-test until 0 jams in 50 attempts

□ Add repeater between hub and lock
□ Check signal strength (RSSI)
□ Change Zigbee channel (if interference)
□ Update hub firmware

□ Check signal strength (weak signal drains battery)
□ Add repeater
□ Disable unnecessary features
□ Verify not over-polling (reduce to 5 min)

□ Strengthen signal (add repeater)
□ Update firmware (hub + lock)
□ Check for interference (WiFi overlap)
□ Verify batteries seated properly

☑️ Any adjustment to lock mounting
☑️ Any adjustment to strike plate
☑️ Firmware updates
☑️ Hub replacement or relocation
☑️ Adding/removing repeaters
☑️ Seasonal changes (door expansion/contraction)
☑️ Any period of unusual behavior

Once per year, full test again:
- Ensures long-term reliability
- Catches gradual degradation
- Identifies maintenance needs

□ Installation date: ___________
□ Firmware versions:
  - Lock: ___________
  - Hub: ___________
□ Signal strength (RSSI): ___________
□ Battery brand/type: ___________
□ Test results: PASS / FAIL
□ Issues encountered: ___________
□ Fixes applied: ___________
□ Next test due: ___________ (1 year later)