7 Little Changes That'll Make The Biggest Difference In Your Remote Key Fob Repair Remote Key Fob Repairs You Can Do at Home

If your remote key fob stop working, you may be tempted to go to a dealership to get it reset. Instead, try a few quick fixes at home.

Start by replacing a battery. Flat watch-style batteries are cheap and easy to find in hardware stores. Examine the key fob for worn buttons or those that are out of place.

Dead Battery

The key fob, which is a tiny electronic device, makes it easy to lock and unlock your vehicle. It utilizes an radio transmitter with a short range to send distinct codes to the receiver in your vehicle. Key fob batteries last for a long period of time, but they can be wiped out at any time. You can usually determine if the battery has died by checking the LED light or trying to press one of the buttons. If the key fob doesn't respond, the battery has died and must be replaced.

Changing the battery in the key fob is simple and quick. It is usually as simple as opening the key fob, removing the old battery and replacing it with a fresh one. The batteries for fobs are tiny, similar to the ones used in watches or hearing aids. They can be found in home improvement stores as well as general stores. They're typically shaped like tiny coins with a plus and minus symbol on the bottom. Check out the owner's manual or the label on your key fob if aren't certain which batteries your fob uses.

After you change the battery your key fob will function as usual. If it does not then there could be a issue with your car or the system that is causing the fob to not perform as it should. If this is the case, you will need assistance from a roadside service.

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you may be able to purchase replacement key fobs through the internet or from a dealership. It is often cheaper and easier to buy a new key fob than to fix a damaged one.

Buttons Are Unresponsive

It could be a worn-out button sensor if you've driven for a long time and notice that your keys aren't working. The buttons made of rubber on a majority of fobs can wear out with time. This could cause them to only function correctly when pushed in a certain way or with extreme pressure. This is a common issue with a lot of fobs and can be easily solved by following a few DIY steps.

To unlock the car, the fob sends an alert to the receiver inside the car. If the receiver is damaged it may not receive the signal, and the key won't work to open or start your vehicle. The best way to resolve this is to have your local mechanic check out the receiver for damage. This service is typically free or only costs little, depending on the car's model.

The key fobs utilized daily receive many uses and are often found in purses and pockets and purses, so it's no surprise that they can sometimes become finicky and only work properly when placed in a specific way. It is easy to fix most fobs, since the buttons can be reinforced with silicone and a bit of effort.


Press and hold the lock/unlock buttons on your keyfob until hear the car sound. This should be done several times to activate the button. Then, you need to cycle your key in and out of the ignition a few times to reset the fob's connection to your vehicle. Once go to the website is restored, you can remove the key and will be able to unlock your car using the remote. Repeat the procedure until your fob is functioning again. If you are not able to fix the fob following this process, it may need to be replaced entirely. If you have to replace it, make sure that the new key is programmed to work with your car make and model.

Keychain Loop Breaks

If the key fob's plastic keychain loop gets damaged it could be separated from your keys and no longer be used to lock or unlock your vehicle. The keychain loop is easily replaced.

Key fobs may also fail due to water and moisture damage. The signs include a decreased range of operation, or no function at any time. Drying the key fob and replacing the battery could resolve the problem however sometimes a an expert repair or replacement is required.

Over time, key fob buttons can wear out and become less responsive or ineffective. It may be necessary to replace the key fob button or the case however reprogramming is often able to solve this issue. Signal interference from nearby electronic devices can sometimes affect the connection between your key fob and vehicle which can cause issues with locking or unlocking. It may be necessary to conduct a diagnostic test at the dealership to resolve the issue. This is typically the case with older electronic key fobs that use infrared signals and require clear line-of-sight to work however modern microchip key fobs rely on radio frequency challenge-response authentication to communicate with your vehicle.

Pairings that are lost or corrupted

Over time the batteries of key fobs lose their charge, and if the battery has lost too much of its power, the remote won't respond to commands. Replacing the battery will usually solve the issue, but you may also have to change the programming of the remote.

Modern cars have key fobs that allow for various functions. They can lower or raise windows, turn off alarms, turn on the interior lights, or even start certain vehicles. It is easy for owners of vehicles to accidentally use the wrong buttons. Keep your owner's guide close to hand when using your keyfob so you can quickly refer to the sections that cover your car's features.

A fob could not function because the remote signal is corrupted or has been lost. Certain of the latest key fobs utilize sophisticated signal encryption technologies to stop thieves from stealing the signals and creating remotes or keys that aren't authorized which can unlock your vehicle. To reprogram the fob, you'll need to go to an auto locksmith or dealer.

Certain automakers offer their own instructions for reprogramming the key fob of their vehicles. These procedures are often simple enough to perform at home. However, this is not the best option for those who are not experienced with electronics experience. It is recommended to leave this type of work to experts.

Key fobs are subject to a lot of wear and tear, particularly when they are often used and handled. The buttons of a key fob can be pushed around and the case could crack or break. Keep a spare fob with your person at all times. This will save you time if your remote breaks down when you're out and about. Keep it close to your bed at all times, so that you can press the panic button in the event that you hear noises at night.