August Smart Lock Lock Jammed Error — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

A Lock Jammed error means the August motor stalled before completing the lock or unlock motion. The most common cause is a misaligned strike plate forcing the deadbolt to fight the door frame.

Affected Models

August Smart Lock Pro
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
August Smart Lock (3rd Gen)

Common Causes

Strike plate misaligned, deadbolt catches on the strike
Door warped from humidity or temperature changes
Deadbolt mechanism dirty or seized
Low battery causing insufficient motor torque
August lock not seated correctly on the deadbolt

How to Fix It

Test the deadbolt by hand.

Detach the August thumb-turn cover and turn the existing deadbolt by hand using the inside thumbturn. It should rotate smoothly. If you can feel it grinding or sticking, the door alignment or the deadbolt itself is the issue.
Realign the strike plate.

If the deadbolt rubs the strike plate, the door has shifted. Remove the strike plate, file the opening or move the plate slightly, and re-screw. The deadbolt should slide cleanly with no resistance.
Lubricate the deadbolt.

Apply graphite or dry PTFE lubricant to the bolt and inside the cylinder. Work it through by turning the bolt several times. Avoid oil-based lubricants — they collect dust.
Fit fresh batteries.

Low batteries reduce motor torque and cause jams that would not happen with a healthy battery. Fit four fresh name-brand AA cells.
Recalibrate the lock.

After fixing alignment and changing batteries, run the calibration routine in the app. This lets the lock learn the correct torque profile for the now-smoother door.

When to Call a Professional

If the door operates fine by hand but the lock keeps reporting a jam, August support may replace the unit under warranty. Otherwise, a locksmith can adjust the door alignment.