In 2020, I purchased a Xiaomi smart lock, which has been quite convenient to use. However, it occasionally emits a loud alarm when opening or closing the door. Checking the mobile app, it indicates that the lock has been tampered with. I didn’t take this too seriously, thinking it might be a sensor false alarm, possibly related to the force used when opening or closing the door.
Occasionally, when the alarm went off multiple times, I searched online for solutions but found no effective fixes. The advice was to seek after-sales service. Since the issue didn’t occur frequently, I didn’t pay much attention to it.
Until last night, the lock started alarming intermittently after being closed. Sometimes it would sound within half a minute of closing the door, and other times it would suddenly go off after a long period. Frustrated, I removed all the batteries from the back panel and applied for after-sales service through the app.
This morning, a service technician called and informed me that the lock was already out of warranty. If I wanted on-site service, the cost would be quite high. After hearing my description of the issue, he suggested I open the back panel and tighten the screws.
Following his instructions, I opened the back panel and found that both screws inside were loose. There was also a hidden screw that I suspect was never tightened during installation. After tightening both screws, the issue disappeared.
From a conspiracy theory perspective, I suspect this issue might be related to the initial installation. Perhaps the installer intentionally left a minor problem, hoping to charge for on-site service fees paid by the manufacturer during subsequent use.
As for why he directly told me the solution after the warranty expired, it might be due to “professional ethics.” Cheating the manufacturer is usually not considered cheating, but cheating the user is a different story.
Update Method
Two months later, the lock started alarming again, the same old issue. But this time, I finally discovered the root cause.
The problem lies in a small micro-switch located on the inner side of the outer door handle (approximately behind the position of the number “1” on the keypad). This switch is similar to a mouse micro-switch and must remain pressed to avoid the alarm. Once the switch loosens, the alarm sounds immediately.
However, due to prolonged use, the rubber pad on the outer lock has gradually aged, making it difficult for the switch to stay closed.
The solution is simple and involves two steps:
- Open the back cover from the inside, remove the batteries and two screws, and pull out the outer panel;
- Add a spacer between the micro-switch on the back of the outer panel and the door frame. I used a 1-cent coin as a spacer, and now the issue is completely resolved.
