If you’re a Tesla Model 3 owner, there’s a chance you may have experienced an issue with your car not locking, especially when you walk away from it.
While this can be frustrating, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
What To Do if Model 3 Doesn’t Lock
Ensure All Doors and Windows Are Closed
If your Model 3 doesn’t lock when you walk away, don’t panic. Instead, check if all doors and windows are properly closed. Here’s what to do:
- Open then close all your Tesla’s doors.
- Use your window adjustment buttons to roll the windows up.
Check if You Have a Faulty Seatbelt Sensor
If you find that all the doors and windows are correctly closed, you might have a faulty seatbelt sensor. The walk-away door lock feature on the Model 3 will not engage if there’s someone inside the vehicle.
If there’s a problem with the sensor, it could cause your car to think someone is still sitting in the front seat even when they’re not, preventing it from locking. To fix this, you’ll need to take your car in for service so they can check and replace the seatbelt sensor.
Check Your Driver Profile Settings
If your Model 3 still doesn’t lock, check your driver profile settings. You can disable the walk-away door lock feature in the settings, and if you have accidentally done that, your doors won’t lock.
To check if you deactivated the lock feature in your driver profile, follow these steps:
- Touch “Controls” on the touchscreen.
- Select “Locks.”
- Tap “Walk Away Door Lock.”
- Activate the feature by sliding the toggle to the right.
The following video by the Master Brothers explains everything you need to know about Tesla driver profiles:
Disable Battery Optimization on Your App
If you’re using the Tesla mobile app, the issue with your Model 3, not locking could be due to battery optimization. This feature can prevent your car from locking when you walk away because it cuts off communication between your phone and the vehicle.
To disable battery optimization on your Tesla app, follow these steps:
- Open your smartphone’s Settings app.
- Tap “Battery.”
- Tap “Battery Optimization.”
- Find the Tesla app and tap it.
- Select “Don’t Optimize.”
Contact Tesla Customer Support
If none of the above solutions work, it’s best to contact Tesla customer service. They may help you troubleshoot the problem and figure out a solution.
Besides, if the walk-away door lock feature isn’t working correctly, you may have a more significant issue with your car. So, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and reach out to customer support.
Visit a Tesla Service Center
If you’re still having trouble with your Model 3 not locking, the next best step is to visit a Tesla service center. They may be able to diagnose and fix the problem for you.
Besides, they may help if you’re having other issues with your car. For example, they can check for any software updates available for your Model 3.
Note: If your Model 3 doesn’t lock when you walk away, it could be due to a hardware or software issue. The following table categorizes the potential causes into these two groups:
| Potential Cause | Hardware Issue | Software Issue | Easy Fix |
| Doors and Windows Open | Yes | No | Ensure all doors and windows are closed |
| Faulty Seatbelt Sensor | Yes | No | Visit a Tesla Service Center |
| Deactivated Walk-Away Lock in Driver Profile Settings | No | Yes | Activate Walk-Away Lock in Driver Profile Settings/ Contact Customer Support |
| Activated Battery Optimization on Your App | No | Yes | Disable Battery Optimization on Your App/ Contact Customer Support |
How To Tell That Your Model 3 Is Locked
Now that you know how to fix the issue, you might be wondering how you can tell that the locking feature is working. After all, it would be pretty frustrating if you think your car is locked only to come back and find that it isn’t.
Here are a few ways you can tell that your Model 3 is locked:
The Side Mirrors Fold Inward
One way to know that your Model 3 is locked is by checking the side mirrors. When you lock the car, the side mirrors will fold inward automatically.
However, if you find that the side mirrors are still in their normal position, your vehicle isn’t locked.
The Exterior Lights Flash Once
Another way to tell that your Model 3 is locked is by checking the exterior lights. When you lock the car, the lights will flash once as a confirmation.
If the lights don’t blink or stay on, it’s a good indication that your vehicle isn’t locked. Of course, this method isn’t foolproof. For instance, the lights won’t work if the battery is dead. Still, in general, checking the exterior lights is a helpful way to tell if your Model 3 is locked.
If you’d like to further find out why Tesla lights sometimes flash, then check out this article dedicated to this topic. I wrote some helpful tips as well.
The Doors Are Sealed Shut
A surefire way to know if your Model 3 is locked is by trying to open the doors. If the car is locked, the doors will be sealed shut, and you won’t be able to open them.
However, if you can easily open any door, the car isn’t locked. So, if you’re ever in doubt, just give each door a pull and see what happens!
Frequently Asked Questions
You might still have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about this topic.
What Is Walk Away Lock?
The walk-away lock is a feature that automatically locks your Tesla doors when you walk away. It also arms the alarm system and activates the immobilizer, preventing unauthorized access.
Does the Tesla Model 3 Lock Itself?
The Tesla Model 3 locks itself if you enable the walk-away lock feature. However, if you don’t have this feature enabled, you’ll need to lock your doors manually with your smartphone.
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