Can Schlage Be Rekeyed? (Encode, Connect, Sense)

Schlage residential locks are some of the best-selling residential locks. Schlage also makes smart locks that can be opened without a key, but can they be rekeyed?

The Schlage Encode, Connect, and Sense can all be rekeyed. All locks with a tumbler or key should be able to be rekeyed by a professional capable of doing so.

While the tools are available on Amazon for you to rekey your own locks, rekeying locks should be done by a professional.

What you Need to Rekey a Schlage Lock

There are a few special tools you will need to be able to disassemble a residential lock and be able to rekey it to your specifications. Luckily, they are all available on Amazon.

• Knob removal tool is like a beefier paper clip. It is a small pointed object used to release the door knob from the lock mechanism.
• Retainer ring tool is a fastener on the back of the cylinder that keeps the cylinder in place. This tool helps remove and replace that ring.
• Plug follower tool allows you to push the plug cylinder out of the cylinder and keep the tumbler pins in the top half of the lock in place.
• Tweezers, any will do, but lock pin tumbler tweezers are equipped with jaws specifically made to hold the small metal lock pins securely in place.
• New tumbler pins, you won’t know what size you will need, so it is best to get a wide variety.

All-in-One Kits are also available for purchase. The all-in-one kit is everything listed above and more. It is everything you need to rekey your Schlage locks.

It is also possible to Factory Reset your Schlage Encode if you think you may have been hacked. 

Rekeying should be your last resort; you might just need to change your passcode.

How to Rekey Your Lock

These instructions are just a general guide to rekeying locks. For your specific lock, check out this official Schlage document on rekeying their locks.

1. Remove the doorknob
2. Remove the key cylinder
3. Remove the retaining ring from the plug cylinder
4. Push the plug out of the cylinder using the plug follower tool
5. Insert new tumbler pins into the plug

Remember, these are general instructions for rekeying a lock. If your lock differs too much, consult the official document linked above.

Remove the Door Knob with the Knob Removal Tool

Remove your door knob to gain access to the lock. 

Insert the knob removal tool into the hole on your door knob and remove the knob itself from the lock mechanism.

Remove the Key Cylinder

The key cylinder (the thing you insert your key into) should just come out of the back of the knob once it has been removed. 

It will be cylindrical with a rectangular protrusion on top.

Remove the Retaining Ring from the Cylinder with the Retaining Ring Tool

A retaining ring holds the plug to the cylinder on the back of the key cylinder. 

Use the retaining ring removal tool or spring clip pliers to remove the ring.

Be careful not to remove the plug, or the top tumbler pins will fall out of the cylinder.

Remove the Plug from the Cylinder with the Plug Follower Tool

Push the correct-sized plug follower tool into the back of the key cylinder and push the plug out of the key cylinder, leaving the follower tool in its place.

Use the follower tool’s size to match the size of the plug, so none of the top pins fall out. 

Leave the plug follower tool inserted into the key cylinder.

Insert New Tumbler Pins into your Cylinder Matching Your New Key

You can now dump the old tumbler pins out of the pin holes on the plug.

Insert your new key into the plug cylinder. This part may be a little trial and error if you aren’t trained in rekeying locks. 

Insert the new tumbler pins into the pin holes on the plug cylinder until they are all flat with the top of the cylinder, and the plug can be inserted back into the key cylinder.

The tops of the pins should be dead even with the top of the plug. If they aren’t, you aren’t going to get your lock back together.

Once you have added the new pins, you must reverse the instructions to reassemble your lock. Your lock should now be rekeyed to your new key.

It is important to remember that the tools listed above in the rekeying section are for keying Schlage Locks ONLY. 

Different locks have different keyways and require different key blanks.

Conclusion

Rekeying your Schlage smart lock, such as the Encode, can be done at home but it will likely be cheaper and easier to let a professional locksmith handle the job for you.