Kwikset Smartkey review from Home Depot - Part 2 - the install

Welcome back to Part 2 for the install of our Kwikset Smartkey lock system from Home Depot!

Part 1 was HERE.

BUT... it comes with it's own story. Of course. :)

The install

(actual Kwikset install video is below after my story)

Kit is 100% complete.

Everything you need is in the kit right down to the last screw. All you need is a Phillips screwdriver.

I was sooooo smart. I put everything in a tray, brought out my pretty tools, hired my son to help with photography and we were going to do this in minutes!

Until I realized I had lost the instructions.

Ah well. How hard can it be, right?!

1. Remove everything that has to go. 

Everything that has to go is attached with just screws so it's all easy to remove.

2. Insert the new deadbolt latch.

This is where I went wrong... so heed the following advice.

I inserted the new deadbolt latch but it didn't fit.  It was suppose to slide in all nice like but the gears wouldn't align with the hole. Hmm..

So I pounded the door jam out with a wood chisel and made it work. 

PERFECT. (not really)

It still didn't align right so I beat out ALL the wood inside the door. It was right about then I turned to my son and said, "We may be shopping for a new door."

TIP: The deadbolt  has an adjustment feature. You can choose which measurement works best for your door hole location. Oops!


Unfortunately I lost my photographer at this point and I was kinda busy worrying about breaking my door.  No matter. It still worked out! (but I still really want a pretty new door darn it anyway)

3. Everything else just snaps together effortlessly.

So without instructions,  I put all the pieces together like a puzzle. Most of it was pretty self explanatory. Once the alignment in the hole worked out, everything snapped together PERFECTLY. 

4. Set the keyless code and insert the 4 AA batteries (done together - see video below)

But without instructions, I couldn't figure out the keyless lock settings. 

Until I attempted to find something online. And that's when I found this goldmine that could have really sped things up! You do NOT need the paper instructions with this amazing tutorial.

Original Kwikset video on install, code setting and keyless feature is HERE.

This beauty now resides on our front door and it works as well as I hoped it would! We gave it a real life test run today and it worked to perfection for both of us!

Some very cool features:

To get in, you punch in your code.

To leave, hit the little lock icon. That's it!

The system accepts two codes which are VERY easy to change. 

You can set the system to relock after so many minutes automatically. 

The system allows you to rekey your lock anytime you wish as well.

The finish is exactly the same as our original set so it was a flawless match.

Heads up:

Kwikset is under Weiser in Canada.

The keyless keypad takes 4 AA batteries.

Not any key will work with the rekey system. It has to be a Kwikset key or possibly an original that has not been recut. All my house keys are poor copies so I'll be taking one to a locksmith to see if they can cut one that will work. 

But honestly? We don't need it with that amazing keypad.

Aside from the small key glitch, I totally approve this keyless entry system we have 110%! We LOVE it!

Thank-you so much Kwikset Smartkey and Home Depot!

·        Have you ever loaned out a key that was never returned, or would you like to be able to grant temporary access to neighbors or a contractor? The Home Depot can help. SmartKey rey-key technology is the solution. The Kwikset SmartKey lock gives homeowners the ability to quickly and easily re-key their own locks without removing them from the door. 
·        Increase your home’s safety and pick up a Kwikset SmartKey lock from The Home Depot today. SmartKey offers increased security and peace of mind because lost, loaned or unreturned keys become useless. It also offers one-key convenience for your home - you can re-key your front, back and side doors to the same Kwikset key.
·        Kwikset SmartKey’s re-key technology features a patented side-locking bar, central to the locks’ ability to be rapidly and easily re-keyed. The bar replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design that is particularly vulnerable to increasingly popular lock-bumping attacks. 
·        Delivering outstanding strength and protection, SmartKey deadbolts have passed the most stringent lock picking standards and offer ANSI/BHMA certified Grade 1 security. Grade 1 security is the highest level of tested residential security available in the industry.
·        Based on performance and features, Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts earned the prestigious Best Buy rating from Consumers Digest Magazine in the residential deadbolt lock category in February 2010.  
·        Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts can be purchased online at www.thehomedepot.com and at your local The Home Depot store. 


1.        Kwikset locks on TheHomeDepot.com: http://bit.ly/uq9Zs7   
2.        The Home Depot on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHomeDepot
3.        The Home Depot on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheHomeDepot



The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their KwikSet Lock product. As part of this promotion, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Kwikset Smartkey review from Home Depot - Part 1

I've always dreamed of a keyless front door entry.

This is our current lock. I really like these sets, but... we've had some issues.

My boy needs to enter the house on his own at times, and hiding keys outdoors isn't very secure. And bringing them to school has resulted in them getting lost.

Then there's when we go camping. We need to leave keys for our neighbours that care for our pets in our absence.

And how about tradespeople? Ever leave a key hidden for them to use, later wishing you could re-key your locks 'just in case?'

Enter the Kwikset Smartkey lock system from Home Depot! YES YES YES!

How cool is it when you can review something you actually really really need? Ecstatic!

This set offers more than just a keyless entry though. The deadbolts have a SmartKey feature, which allows you to re-key your locks with new keys any time you wish.

I had no idea such a thing was even available. Did you?!

 Since I loved my current set, I simply chose a deadbolt that matched the finish of our current hardware. 

There are many different styles to mix and match with, so you can get the look and functionality that's right for you.

I just chose the keyless entry because it was best suited for our needs. We have a keypad on the garage door and it's been wonderful to allow neighbours in that need tools and such when we're not around.

So I'm going show you how to install our Kwikset Smartkey lock system and let you know what I think.

We can't wait! House keys, we are so breaking up with you!

Do you also have key issues?

Do you hide them or ?

·        Have you ever loaned out a key that was never returned, or would you like to be able to grant temporary access to neighbors or a contractor? The Home Depot can help. SmartKey rey-key technology is the solution. The Kwikset SmartKey lock gives homeowners the ability to quickly and easily re-key their own locks without removing them from the door. 
·        Increase your home’s safety and pick up a Kwikset SmartKey lock from The Home Depot today. SmartKey offers increased security and peace of mind because lost, loaned or unreturned keys become useless. It also offers one-key convenience for your home - you can re-key your front, back and side doors to the same Kwikset key.
·        Kwikset SmartKey’s re-key technology features a patented side-locking bar, central to the locks’ ability to be rapidly and easily re-keyed. The bar replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design that is particularly vulnerable to increasingly popular lock-bumping attacks. 
·        Delivering outstanding strength and protection, SmartKey deadbolts have passed the most stringent lock picking standards and offer ANSI/BHMA certified Grade 1 security. Grade 1 security is the highest level of tested residential security available in the industry.
·        Based on performance and features, Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts earned the prestigious Best Buy rating from Consumers Digest Magazine in the residential deadbolt lock category in February 2010.  
·        Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts can be purchased online at www.thehomedepot.com and at your local The Home Depot store. 


1.        Kwikset locks on TheHomeDepot.com: http://bit.ly/uq9Zs7   
2.        The Home Depot on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHomeDepot
3.        The Home Depot on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheHomeDepot



The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their KwikSet Lock product. As part of this promotion, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.