Why Does My Car Key Fob Stop Working? Common Causes and What to Do
There are only a handful of things that are more frustrating than walking up to your vehicle and trying to unlock the car only to get no response. There are various reasons a key fob might fail. But what’s good is that the issues generally have simple solutions.
Take a look at the reasons behind the car key fob not working and what you should do to solve it.
- Weak or Dead Battery
- Buttons working intermittently
- Total loss of function
- Having to press the button multiple times
- Poor operating range
- Physical Damage
- Exposure to water
- Dropping the key fob on hard surfaces
- Damage to the internal components
- Broken or worn buttons
- Signal Interference
- Airports
- Cell phone towers
- Heavy electronic equipment
- Large commercial buildings
- Programming Problems
- Accidental reprogramming
- Replacing the battery
- Buying a replacement key fob
- Electrical repairs of the vehicle
The most common reason your car key fob stopped working is a dying or dead battery. Usually, key fob batteries last 2-4 years, based on how often you are using the remote.
Signs your battery might be failing are-
Often, replacing the battery is a quick and affordable fix. Key fobs have coin-cell batteries, which can be replaced without any hassle. Ensure the battery is the correct type and handle it without touching the terminals.
Just like any other electronic device, your key fobs can get damaged over time. Some of the common causes of damaged key fobs are-
At times, the damage is apparent, such as missing buttons or a cracked case. Sometimes, the issue may be caused by damage to the internal circuit board. In case your key fob experiences a hard impact or is exposed to moisture, it is better to get it inspected by a fast locksmith service before you assume it has to be replaced.
Key fobs use radio frequency signals to communicate with your vehicle. Electronic devices or environmental conditions can sometimes disrupt these signals, preventing the vehicle from detecting the key properly.
This is one of the car key fob problems that can occur near-
When you are in one of these locations and your key fob stops working, move your car to a different location to test the fob. If it works in a different location, signal interference might be the cause.
At times, the key fob might be functioning properly, but it is having trouble communicating with the vehicle. It can happen after-
For key fob troubleshooting, it is necessary to identify the real cause. Experienced and professional locksmith services can determine if the keys simply have to be reprogrammed or if some other problem is keeping the key from working.
A malfunctioning key fob does not always mean you will require an expensive replacement. Look for a locksmith near me to identify the issue and suggest the right solution.
