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Smart Lock Firmware Update Stuck Google Home Problems? What to Check First

ByAlex Turner

A firmware update that stalls while your smart lock is connected to Google Home usually comes down to one of three things: the lock lost its Wi‑Fi or Thread connection mid‑update, the Google Home app and the lock’s own manufacturer app are fighting over control, or the lock’s battery dropped below the threshold required for flashing new firmware. Start with the quick checks below — most stuck updates can be unstuck in under ten minutes without factory‑resetting the lock.

Quick Checks Before You Dig In

Run through these five checks before you spend time on deeper troubleshooting. Each one has a clear pass/fail result.

  • Lock battery level: Open the lock’s own app (e.g., eufy Security, August, Yale Access). If the battery is below 20%, the firmware update will almost always hang. Charge or replace batteries first, then retry the update.
  • Google Home app version: On your phone, go to the Google Home app > Settings gear > “About” or “App info.” Confirm you’re on the latest version from the Play Store or App Store. An outdated Home app can refuse to relay firmware data.
  • Phone connection to 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi: Many smart locks only support 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi. If your phone is on a 5 GHz band during the update, the lock may not receive the whole file. Force your phone to the 2.4 GHz SSID (or temporarily disable 5 GHz on your router) and restart the update.
  • Lock’s existing firmware vs. Google Home compatibility: Some smart lock manufacturers require you to update the lock via their own app before Google Home can manage it. Check the manufacturer’s release notes for any “required pre‑update” version.
  • No active update on another hub: If your lock is also paired with an Alexa device, Apple HomeKit, or a separate hub (e.g., SmartThings, Hubitat), a cross‑platform update conflict can cause a hang. Disable the lock’s integration in those systems temporarily, then try the Google Home update again.

Branch point after these checks: If the lock battery is fine but you find that the Google Home app is several versions behind, update the app first. Once updated, open the manufacturer app — if it shows a pending update that wasn’t there before, that’s the conflict. In that case, do not proceed with Google Home; apply the update through the manufacturer app alone.

Why the Update Gets Stuck – The Three Usual Causes

Wi‑Fi Band and Signal Strength

The most common culprit is simple network instability. Smart locks typically run on 2.4 GHz radios that are sensitive to interference from nearby cordless phones, microwaves, or even neighboring Wi‑Fi networks on channel 6 or 11. A firmware file can be 10–50 MB; if the lock loses its connection for even a couple of seconds, the update process halts and the lock may show “Updating…” indefinitely.

What to do: Check the lock’s Wi‑Fi signal strength in its own app (look for a signal indicator – three bars is ideal, two is marginal, one is unreliable). If signal is weak, move the router closer or add a 2.4‑GHz range extender. For Thread‑based locks (e.g., Matter‑certified models running Thread), confirm your Google Nest Hub or compatible Thread border router is within about 30 feet of the lock.

App Priority Conflict

Google Home acts as a controller, but the lock still communicates directly with its manufacturer’s servers for firmware downloads. If the manufacturer’s app has a pending update notification that you haven’t accepted, the Google Home app may try to push the same update – causing both to stall. This is especially common with eufy Security Smart Lock C220 and August locks.

What to do: Open the lock’s own app first and apply any pending updates there. Let it finish completely (the lock will reboot or reconnect). Then go back to Google Home – it should show the lock is already up to date. Only use Google Home for routine lock control, not firmware management.

Battery Level Drops During the Update

Firmware updates are processor‑intensive. If your lock’s battery was already at 30–40% when you started, the voltage can dip below the safe operating range mid‑flash, causing the update to freeze. Most smart locks require at least 30% battery to initiate an update, but a further drop during the process can still cause failure.

What to do: Charge batteries to 90% or higher (or insert fresh alkaline batteries) before attempting the update again. If the lock uses rechargeable lithium cells (e.g., some Schlage Encode Plus models), a full charge is essential – low rechargeable batteries hit their voltage sag earlier than alkalines.

Step-by-Step: Unstick the Update

Follow these steps in order. After each step, wait two minutes and check if the update completes.

1. Force‑close both apps. On your phone, swipe away the Google Home app and the lock’s manufacturer app. Wait 30 seconds, reopen the lock’s app, and check if the update state changed.

2. Cycle the lock’s power. If the lock has a removable battery pack, remove it for 30 seconds, reinsert, and let the lock reboot. For hardwired locks, flip the circuit breaker or disconnect power for 10 seconds.

3. Reconnect the lock to your network via the manufacturer app. In the lock’s app, go to Wi‑Fi settings and reconnect to your 2.4 GHz network. This clears any partial download cached on the lock.

4. Update via the manufacturer app first. As noted above, run the firmware update from the lock’s own app. Do not open Google Home during this process.

5. Re‑add the lock in Google Home. In the Google Home app, remove the lock (tap the device > Settings > Remove device). Then add it again via “Set up device” using the Matter or cloud pairing method. The update status should now show current.

Decision criterion: If your lock uses Matter over Thread (like newer smart locks from Eve or Nanoleaf), step 5 is critical because Matter devices store firmware version in the Thread network – Google Home must re‑sync with the Thread border router. If your lock is cloud‑only (e.g., most Wi‑Fi locks), re‑adding via the cloud will pull the latest known firmware from the manufacturer’s server.

Verification Step: How to Confirm the Fix Worked

After completing the steps above, verify the update succeeded by checking two things in the lock’s own app:

  • The firmware version listed under “About” or “Device Info” should match the latest version shown on the manufacturer’s support page.
  • The lock should respond to a test command (e.g., lock/unlock from the app) without delay. In Google Home, saying “Hey Google, lock the front door” should execute immediately. If the lock still shows “Updating…” or throws an error after 10 minutes, the update did not complete.

Signs the Issue Is Deeper – When to Escalate

If you’ve tried all the above and the lock still shows “Update stuck” for more than 30 minutes, or if the lock becomes unresponsive to either app, it’s time to stop troubleshooting at home.

Escalation signals:

  • The lock no longer responds to physical keypad or fingerprint scans (dead).
  • The lock is stuck in a boot loop – it repeatedly clicks or beeps but never settles.
  • You see persistent error codes like “ERR 0x0002” or “E10” on the lock’s display.
  • The lock’s app says “Update failed – contact support” repeatedly.

In those cases, contact the manufacturer’s support team. Be ready to provide the lock’s serial number, current firmware version (if accessible via the app’s “About” menu), and a brief log of what you tried.

Failure Mode: Corrupted Firmware After a Partial Download

Even after a successful power cycle, you may see the update percentage frozen at, say, 45% for hours. This happens when the download was interrupted and the lock’s flash memory now holds a corrupt file. The lock may appear to boot normally but will refuse updates and may behave erratically (e.g., it unlocks on its own or ignores commands). Do not attempt a factory reset without first trying to re‑apply the update via the manufacturer app. If the manufacturer app shows “Update failed” and will not retry, you may need to use a recovery method such as inserting an SD card with the firmware file (some Schlage and Yale models support this) or connecting the lock via USB to a computer.

Check your lock’s manual for a “recovery mode” process. If none is available, factory reset the lock – but be aware that this deletes all paired keys and settings, and you’ll need to re‑add the lock to Google Home from scratch.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use a Zigbee coordinator to push firmware updates for a Zigbee smart lock?

A: Yes, but you must update through the Zigbee hub’s own app (e.g., Hubitat, SmartThings, or a Zigbee2MQTT controller). Google Home does not push Zigbee firmware directly – it only sees the lock through the hub. Update via the hub first.

Q: Will resetting my Google Home Hub fix a stuck lock update?

A: Rarely. Factory resetting your Google Nest Hub or Nest Audio won’t affect the lock’s firmware state. The lock itself must be updated, and the hub is just a relay. Only reset the hub if you’re also trying to fix a broader Matter/Thread network outage.

Q: The lock shows “Update pending” for days – is that normal?

A: No. A pending update that never completes usually means the lock’s application layer is waiting for a network command that didn’t arrive. Force the update by following the step‑by‑step guide above, and if that fails, treat it as a stuck update and check for corrupted firmware.

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