Range Rover Smart Key Not Working After Battery Change - Why?

If your Range Rover smart key isn't working after the battery change, it's possible that you damaged the key. Also, the reason may be in the BCM or in the smart key receiver that needs resetting.

Fob battery problems highlights

• Average lifespan:9-12 months for smart keys
• Battery type:depends on the fob
• Price for the battery:$1 - $20
• DIY replacement:possible
• Key registering:not needed
• Time for repair:15 minutes
• Price in dealership:$50 - $100

How do you know that Smart Key is not working in your Range Rover?

When you own a luxurious vehicle like the Range Rover, you want all the functions in it to work well. When suddenly you come to your vehicle, press that little button on the door handle, and surprisingly find the door locked, you may get furious.

Then, you may take the key fob out of your pocket, press the unlock button, and the vehicle, in most cases, will unlock. You get into the Range Rover and after pressing the engine start button suddenly see the unwanted error message telling you that the Smart Key isn't Found or Recognized.

Here's what happens:

• your key in the Range Rover has a keyless function and also a button unlock function, they work separately;
• the keyless function relies on the chip that sends wireless signals and communicates with the so-called KVM module or Keyless Vehicle Module;
• if something is wrong with such communication, you can't use all the keyless systems like starting your car with the button or opening it with the little button on the door handle;
• you may still have the key fob working, so it will lock and unlock the doors with the button if the battery is still OK;
• the Range Rover will show you various messages and warning lights and will not allow you to start the car if you see this message on the dash;
• now, you need to know what to do and how to get out of problems, in this case.

Also, your key fob may be completely blocked and you may not be even able to unlock the doors by pressing the button on the fob. In this case, you should start with the key fob battery replacement.

But the thing is that even after replacing the battery in the fob, you may find the problem not fixed and the Smart Key may still not be recognized by the vehicle. It seems like a bad idea now because how on Earth can you start that luxury SUV? Should you call a tow truck and pay hundreds of bucks for it? Let's calm down and look at the possible reasons and solutions.

By the way, your Range Rover may also say "Charging System Fault" - we've described this problem in one of our articles and you may want to have a look.

Emergency ways of solving the problem

Before I explain to you what exactly causes this issue, I want to give you several tips on how you can quickly solve the problem. You may be reading this post in anger while sitting in your Ranger Rover that shows the nasty error message, so let's not waste your time and nerves!

Here's what you can try:

1) Replace the battery in the fob

This is especially recommended if the fob is not working at all and doesn't lock and unlock the doors with the button.

2) Get into the Range Rover and lock then unlock it with the fob

You may try this trick: get into the car, press the engine start button to see the Smart Key not Found message, then press the lock button on the fob, wait about 30 seconds, and press the unlock button on the fob. You may now start the car without keyless system problems.

3) Reset the KVM

The Keyless Vehicle Module is pretty glitchy in Range Rover vehicles, so you can reset it by pulling out the fuse that controls it. This fuse is located in the interior fuse box but the number and location of the fuse may differ for various years, so just look at the fuse map at the plastic lid of the box.

Pull out the fuse, wait for five minutes, and then install it back. This will reset the KVM and most likely let you drive the car without any problems.

4) Hold the key in the designated area

If you are in a hurry and just want to quickly start the car, hold the key fob under the steering wheel column when you see the "Smart Key Not Found" message, and the message should disappear letting you start the car. This is the best way to start the Range Rover if the key fob battery is dead or even absent in the fob.

If you can't get into the car, take the key fob apart and find the metal key. Insert it into the small hole in the bottom part of the door handle, take the plastic cover off the handle, and open the door with the metal key. Now you can use the trick of holding the key fob in the designated area to start the car.

5) Reset the entire vehicle by disconnecting the battery

If nothing works, you may try disconnecting the battery. Locate the 12V battery, then disconnect the negative terminal, after that disconnect the positive terminal. You may press the honk or turn on the light to use any remaining power in the system. After five minutes, connect the battery (positive terminal first, then negative) and see if the problem disappeared.

This should reset not only the KVM but all other modules that take part in the work of the keyless entry system. In most cases, your Range Rover should be good now.

6) Get the second key

If you are near your home and you know where the second key fob is, take it and try starting the car with this key. If this is not working, you may replace the battery in the second key. It will most likely be dead after about a year of sitting.

What are the reasons for this problem?

Now, that you know how you can deal with the problem, you may also have deducted what exactly can cause this issue. But I will still give you several hints because not all possible reasons are as obvious as the key fob issue or the KVM module glitch.

Let's see what can cause Smart Key issues in your Range Rover:

1. The key fob battery

Usually, Ranger Rover owners replace their key fob batteries at least once a year. Smart key systems use up a lot of battery power almost all the time, so the batteries just don't survive.

2. Damaged or disconnected chip

Very often, when you replace the battery on your own, you may disconnect the chip in the key fob or even damage it. This explains why nothing works well after you replace the battery. Take the second key and try it. If the second key fob works, just have the main fob repaired in the dealership.

3. KVM glitch

The Keyless Vehicle Module in your Ranger Rover is really glitchy. It can just stop working and freeze in a new car with 500 miles on it. Actually, Land Rover admitted this problem and even issued the service bulletin saying that a mechanic should pull out the KVM fuse for several minutes before providing the car with any inspections or repairs if the owner reports keyless entry system errors.

4. Overall software glitch

Your Smart Key system in the Range Rover relies on many electronic modules, so it depends on the ECU, BCM, and other modules that can also glitch and freeze at times. That's why, my last recommendation was to reset the vehicle by disconnecting the battery. This will not only reset the KVM but will also help other modules get back to normal work.

5. Connection issues

Wiring problems are also not uncommon for modern Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. Some of the modules may have been disconnected and now you can hold the key fob wherever you want but the car won't start. Sometimes, there is no good solution to this problem and the car should be towed to the dealership to get a proper inspection and repair.

Final thoughts

I believe now you know everything about the problems with the keyless system in your Range Rover and can easily cope with them. You will only need a tow truck in case of wiring and connection issues. All other problems you can solve on your own or at least bypass for some time and keep driving your Range Rover without any help.

If you have something to add or want to ask questions, please do that in the comments section below!