How do I troubleshoot my Toyota key fob?

Q: How do I reset my Toyota key fob?

Turn your key in the ignition from off” to on,” and repeat within five seconds. Remove your key from the ignition. Within 40 seconds, close and open the driver door twice, and then insert and remove the key from the ignition one more time. Again, be sure to perform steps one and two within 40 seconds.

My mom is flying in to visit me. Before I have to pick her up at the airport, I wanted to go buy some flowers to give her. I headed out the door and pressed the unlock button on my car key fob, but it didn’t work. I tried changing the battery, but that didn’t fix the issue either. How can I fix a Toyota key fob?

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Why Isn’t My Toyota Key Fob Working Properly?
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Why is my Toyota key fob not working?
How do I reset my Toyota key fob?
How do you diagnose a key fob not working?

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That’s very sweet of you to buy flowers for your mom! Generally, when a key fob is not working, the battery is the problem. Since replacing it didn’t work, the issue is likely more complicated.

To repair a Toyota key fob, start by disassembling the remote and looking for potential internal damage. Here’s how:

Step 1: Take apart the fob. To do so, locate the small metal button above the physical key on your fob. Press the button to take out the physical key. Insert a flathead screwdriver into the slot where the physical key used to be. Then, gently pry open the fob.
Step 2: Look for a green circuit board. Take it out of the fob case very carefully and set it aside.
Step 3: Make sure the battery is the right type and was installed correctly. Note that there is a chance the new battery is faulty.
Step 4: Look for any misaligned buttons and make adjustments if necessary. Also, look for broken internal pieces of the fob.
Step 4: Try using the remote again after reassembling it.

Keep in mind if your fob isn’t working—or you spotted broken pieces inside the remote—this could be an electrical issue with the circuit board or another issue you can’t repair yourself.

Conversely, your vehicle could have forgotten your fob. If so, you need to reprogram the remote. If you don’t know how, take it to a Toyota service technician for help.

In some cases, replacing the car remote is cheaper than repairing it. So weigh the cost of repair versus replacement before making a decision.

To offset the price of fixing your key fob, save money on car insurance by downloading the Jerry app. Jerry is an insurance comparison tool that shops for low prices with over 50 different insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away! The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance.

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When it comes to your Toyota key fob battery and other key fob services, St. Cloud Toyota is here to help. We want to make it as easy as possible to use your favorite Toyota vehicle at the top of its capacity, and that means reliable Toyota service for the big issues and the little ones. For all your Toyota troubleshooting needs, come down to St. Cloud Toyota in Waite Park.

Why Isn’t My Toyota Key Fob Working Properly?

Your Toyota key fob is designed to make using your favorite vehicle easier, which is why we want to provide service and support for when it stops working correctly. Here are a few of the common issues that might be affecting your key fob, and how they can be fixed.

The Battery is Low: If your key fob is unresponsive or taking a long time to function, the most common culprit is the battery. It’s important to pay attention to low battery warnings, so you can get replacements before they’re needed.
The Range is Too Far: One reason your vehicle may not be responding to the key’s commands is that you’re out of range. Range may also be shortened by obstacles disrupting the signal between your key and car. Move closer to the vehicle and try the command again before considering other causes.
The Car Battery is Dead: The battery on the fob is one of the most common issues for lack of response, but your fob needs something to communicate with inside the vehicle. If the car battery is low or dead, it won’t be able to follow the fob’s command.
The Fob is Damaged: Our Toyota parts and keys are designed for regular use, but accidents happen. Inspect the fob for damage, especially around the receiver, before bringing it in for service.

Get your Toyota key fob working right at St. Cloud Toyota today.

More From St. Cloud Toyota

Why is my Toyota key fob not working?

If your Toyota key fob has suddenly stopped working, then you most likely need a battery replacement. To do this, you'll have to learn how to open a Toyota key fob to access the battery and replace it.

How do I reset my Toyota key fob?

Turn your key in the ignition from “off” to “on,” and repeat within five seconds. Remove your key from the ignition. Within 40 seconds, close and open the driver door twice, and then insert and remove the key from the ignition one more time. Again, be sure to perform steps one and two within 40 seconds.

How do you diagnose a key fob not working?

Check and replace the key fob battery as needed. Take the key fob apart and check for broken contacts or misaligned buttons. Reprogram your remote yourself or have a professional do it. Replace your remote if necessary.