How to prevent low-level errors in smart locks

Why would a closed door open automatically? It's not something strange, it's simply the smart lock that's unlocked. Similar cases have been reported numerous times. On August 4th of this year, a woman reported that she woke up in the middle of the night to get some water and discovered her front door was unlocked. Initially, she thought someone at home had forgotten to lock it, but after checking the security camera, she realized the door had opened automatically. Since the door was equipped with a smart lock, she suspected it had unlocked automatically.

One netizen commented, "My house occasionally experiences this. The smart lock pops open when it's not fully closed. I have to be careful to close the door at night and double-check." Others dismissed this as normal: "My bedroom door has opened on its own several times without being properly closed. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but I always lock my front door at night."

A smart lock automatically opening the door shouldn't be taken for granted. Locking doors is for security, and if your front door opens automatically at night, it could lead to unsafe consequences. Last February, a netizen reported that a man broke into their home that night after buying a combination lock online that opened without a fingerprint or password, then claimed to have entered the wrong door.

Why do smart locks automatically unlock? No manufacturer has admitted to a faulty lock. An industry insider suggests that installation issues can cause malfunctions. Furthermore, door deformation and panel failures can also affect smart lock verification. This insider explained that fully automatic smart door locks require contact with the door frame to sense door opening and closing, making them more sensitive to the gap between the door and the frame, and therefore more demanding. This increases the probability of the door opening unexpectedly.

This means that the smart lock automatically opens the door because it wasn't locked in the first place. If the door is heavy and sinks significantly, or if the door is installed with the wrong dimensions and a large gap, the lock tongue may not fit into the strike plate's slot or may not engage tightly, leaving the door ajar. "In this case, a strong wind will cause the door to open automatically," a manufacturer confirmed, stating that their smart locks use semi-automatic lock bodies, and their physical structure prevents the door from opening automatically when properly locked. The theoretical possibility of "accidental automatic door opening" only exists if the door is left ajar due to an incomplete lock or excessive tolerances in the door frame installation, causing the door to be ajar.

According to manufacturers and industry insiders, when a smart lock opens automatically, it's usually because the door wasn't locked properly when it was closed, and the deadbolt isn't locked in place, allowing it to open when force is applied. However, some consumers have reported that removing the battery prevents the door from opening automatically.

So, do smart locks have inherent quality issues? In 2022, the State Administration for Market Regulation released a quality inspection report on electronic door locks. The results showed that 42 of 123 batches inspected failed the inspection, a failure rate of 34.1%. The main issues were with the anti-tampering alarm function and flame retardancy. Earlier in 2019, the China Consumers Association tested 29 smart door lock samples and found that 48.3% of them had security risks with passwords, 50% with fingerprint recognition, and 85.7% with information cards.

It is reported that compared with the 2019 China Consumers Association's evaluation, most of the problematic smart locks on the market are low-priced or unbranded products. With the development of smart lock technology, the quality of reputable brands can be generally guaranteed. Currently, most reputable smart locks on the market use more secure authentication methods such as CPU cards, semiconductor fingerprints, and virtual passwords.

It seems that preventing basic errors like automatic door opening in smart locks fundamentally depends on technical improvements and improved security measures from manufacturers. In addition, when purchasing and installing, consumers should choose a lock that matches the situation of their own door to achieve a "seamless connection" between the door and the lock. Choose a good lock, install it, and make sure it is locked when closing the door to ensure better security.