Had a similar issue during a client's kitchen remodel—fingerprint lock kept glitching from sawdust and grout powder. One workaround I found helpful was temporarily covering the sensor with painter's tape during heavy-duty tasks. Quick peel-off when done, and it stayed clean enough to read reliably. Also, registering multiple fingers (like your pinky or ring finger) can help if your usual prints get too messy mid-project... just something that worked for me.
"temporarily covering the sensor with painter's tape during heavy-duty tasks"
Painter's tape trick is smart, hadn't thought of that. I've mostly stuck with keypad entry on my old house—fingerprint tech just seemed too finicky. Ever had trouble with the keypad buttons wearing out from heavy use?
Painter's tape is a neat workaround, hadn't considered that either. I've been using keypad locks for a few years now, and yeah, the buttons do start to fade after heavy use—especially the ones in my code. But honestly, even when they're worn down, they still register fine. Worst case scenario, you can usually swap out just the keypad part without replacing the whole lock... saves a bit of cash and hassle.
"Worst case scenario, you can usually swap out just the keypad part without replacing the whole lock... saves a bit of cash and hassle."
Good point about swapping just the keypad—didn't realize that was an option. But I'm curious, anyone else here dealing with older doors? My place is historic, and the door frames aren't exactly standard sizes or shapes. I've been hesitant to switch to smart locks because I'm worried about compatibility issues or having to drill into antique woodwork. Anyone navigated this successfully without wrecking their vintage charm?
I feel your pain on the historic door issue. My house was built in the 1920s, and nothing is standard around here either. When I first looked into smart locks, I had the same hesitation about drilling into original woodwork—felt almost sacrilegious, honestly. What ended up working surprisingly well was using a retrofit smart lock that fits over the existing deadbolt. No drilling or permanent changes needed, and you keep the original hardware intact. It's not as sleek-looking as some fully integrated models, but it blends in decently enough and preserves the vintage charm.
"Worst case scenario, you can usually swap out just the keypad part without replacing the whole lock... saves a bit of cash and hassle."
On that note, swapping just the keypad is definitely handy, but it might not solve your alignment issues if the door frame is warped or quirky. You might need to do some minor adjustments to get it working smoothly—just something to keep in mind.
