Verkada Wireless Lock FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Verkada Wireless Lock (AL54)

Overview

chevron-rightWhat is the Verkada Wireless Lock (AL54)?hashtag

The Verkada Wireless Lock (AL54) is a battery-powered lock that provides access control without requiring traditional wiring between an access controller and door hardware. It integrates all core components of a wired door system into a single unit for direct installation on the door.

chevron-rightHow many Verkada Wireless Lock models are available?hashtag

There are six Verkada Wireless Lock SKUs, combining two chassis types (mortise and cylindrical) with three key core compatibility options: SFIC, Schlage FSIC, and Schlage conventional core.

chevron-rightDo I need a license to use Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

Yes. Each Verkada Wireless Lock requires a door license.

chevron-rightAre Verkada Wireless Locks available for trial?hashtag

Yes. You will need the following devices to complete the trial:

AC12WH32AL54

chevron-rightAre Verkada Wireless Locks covered under warranty?hashtag

Yes, the AL54 is covered under a 10-year warranty.

chevron-rightWhich credentials do Verkada Wireless Locks accept?hashtag

Verkada Wireless Locks supports a wide range of credentials, similar to our fourth-generation readers. This includes low-frequency prox, high-frequency NFC, Bluetooth mobile, and mobile NFC credentials. The lock can also be remotely unlocked using Verkada Command or the Pass app.

chevron-rightWhat countries are Verkada Wireless Locks available in?hashtag

The Verkada Wireless Lock (AL54) is available in the United States and Canada.

chevron-rightDo Verkada Wireless Locks support offline operation with daily syncing?hashtag

No, Verkada does not offer offline locks. For offline solutions, we recommend Schlage Engage locks, which are compatible with the Verkada system.


Door compatibility

chevron-rightWhich doors are compatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The compatibility of the Verkada Wireless Lock depends on lock type, backset, and door thickness. It works with both cylindrical and mortise doors, and you must select the appropriate SKU for each. Cylindrical AL54 locks can retrofit interconnect doors with both a deadbolt and lever. The lock is not compatible with exit trim doors.

  • Cylindrical doors: 1‑3/8" to 2" thick, backset 2‑3/8" or 2‑3/4"

  • Mortise doors: 1‑5/8" to 2" thick, backset 2‑3/4"

All Verkada Wireless Lock SKUs support any door handing and can be configured during installation.

chevron-rightWhat should I do if my doors are incompatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

If your doors are not compatible with the Verkada Wireless Lock, consider using hard-wired electronic access control for those doors or selecting compatible hardware from third-party partners such as Allegion or Assa Abloy.

chevron-rightWhich cores and keys are compatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The Verkada Wireless Lock is compatible with different cores depending on the chassis type:

  • Cylindrical:

    • 6‑pin or 7‑pin SFIC

    • 6‑pin Schlage FSIC

    • 5‑pin or 6‑pin Schlage conventional cores

  • Mortise:

    • 6‑pin or 7‑pin SFIC

    • 6‑pin or 7‑pin Schlage FSIC

    • 6‑pin Schlage conventional cores

Select the correct SKU for your core. Any key compatible with the listed cores will work with the Verkada Wireless Lock.

chevron-rightWhat should I do if my existing cores are not compatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

For cylindrical SKUs, if your current cores are incompatible with the Verkada Wireless Lock, you must install new, compatible cores. We recommend using a Small Format Interchangeable Core in this case.

For mortise SKUs, if your current cores are incompatible, you can either install new, compatible cores or use the unique conventional core and key included with each AL54‑MS‑CC‑01‑26‑HW lock.

chevron-rightWhen should I choose wireless locks versus hard-wired locks?hashtag

Verkada Wireless Locks are ideal for lower-traffic doors, such as classrooms or dormitories. For high-traffic areas, like main building entrances, hard-wired locks are recommended. As a guideline, wireless locks work well for doors with fewer than 100 unlocks per day.

The AL54 is not compatible with exit trim doors. For these doors, consider using hard-wired electronic access control or compatible hardware from third-party partners, such as Allegion or Assa Abloy.

chevron-rightDoes Verkada sell key cores or offer keying services?hashtag

No, Verkada does not sell key cores or provide keying services. For assistance, contact a professional locksmith.


Physical installation

chevron-rightHow do I install a Verkada Wireless Lock on a door?hashtag

Detailed installation instructions are included with the lock and will also be available on our website once shipping begins.

chevron-rightWhich tools do I need to install Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

To install the Verkada Wireless Lock, you will need tools for both door preparation and lock installation.

  • Door preparation: Drill with 5/16", 3/4", and 1" bits (assuming a cylindrical hole or mortise pocket is already present).

  • Lock installation: PH2 screwdriver; a T10 driver is included in the package.

  • Additional tools: Tools required for installing the AC12 and WH32, which are essential for AL54 operation.

chevron-rightWhat are the best practices for drilling a door for the Verkada Wireless Lock?hashtag

To drill a door for the Verkada Wireless Lock, follow these best practices:

Use the included paper drill templates and select the one that matches your door’s thickness and handing.Position the template on the door and mark the drill locations.Drill pilot holes at the marked points.Use the specified full-size drill bits to drill halfway through the door from each side, meeting in the middle. This helps keep holes straight and prevents surface damage.

For mortise locks, some holes may only need to be drilled halfway through the door.

chevron-rightWhich batteries should I use for the Verkada Wireless Lock?hashtag

Verkada recommends using L91 AA batteries to maximize battery life and ensure accurate battery life reporting.

chevron-rightWhat is the battery life of Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The AL54 battery lasts approximately 12–18 months under typical usage, which includes about 60 access granted events and a similar number of door open or egress events per day. Actual battery life may vary based on usage patterns.

chevron-rightWhat is the maximum supported cable length between an AC12 and a WH32?hashtag

The maximum cable length between an AC12 and WH32 depends on the number of WH32s connected to a reader port:

  • Single WH32: up to 1,500 ft from the AC12 to the WH32.

  • Two WH32s (daisy-chained): up to 300 ft from the AC12 to the first WH32, and up to 300 ft between the two WH32s.

These distances assume the use of an RS-485 compliant cable (22 AWG or thicker).

chevron-rightWhat should I do if the removed lock left visible holes in the door?hashtag

In many cases, the Verkada Wireless Lock will cover any existing holes once installed.

If the Wireless Lock does not cover these holes, consider using a door reinforcer. This accessory wraps around the door to both reinforce its strength and conceal any exposed holes from the previous hardware.

You can find the available door reinforcer SKUs listed in the Verkada Wireless Locks Overviewarrow-up-right under the Accessories section.


Configuration

chevron-rightWhat is required to get Verkada Wireless Locks operational?hashtag

To set up the Verkada Wireless Lock, you need an AC12 and a WH32.

Connect the AC12 to the LAN.Wire the WH32 to the AC12 using RS-485.Configure the AC12, WH32, and AL54 to communicate in Verkada Command.

chevron-rightCan I use Verkada Wireless Locks in conjunction with wired locks on the same controller?hashtag

No. Wired and wireless locks cannot share the same controller. An AC12 must be set to Verkada Wireless Lock mode to control an AL54, which disables its ability to manage wired locks.

chevron-rightHow can I repurpose an existing controller to use with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

To repurpose an existing controller for the Verkada Wireless Lock, first decommission it. Then, recommission the controller and select Verkada Wireless Lock mode.

chevron-rightWhich controllers are compatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The AL54 is exclusively compatible with the AC12 controller.

chevron-rightWhich hubs are compatible with Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The AL54 is exclusively compatible with the WH32 hub.

chevron-rightHow do I update Verkada Wireless Locks to the latest firmware?hashtag

Verkada Wireless Locks update automatically to the latest firmware when available. You can control the timing by scheduling firmware updates for your access control hardware.

See Schedule Firmware Updates for Access Control for more information.

chevron-rightHow many hubs can I connect to a single controller?hashtag

You can connect up to four hubs to a single AC12 controller, with a maximum of two hubs per reader port. Connect the first hub directly to the reader port, and daisy-chain the second hub to the first.

chevron-rightHow many Verkada Wireless Locks can I connect to a single hub?hashtag

A single hub can support up to 16 locks. All connected locks must remain within range to ensure a reliable connection.

chevron-rightHow many Verkada Wireless Locks can I connect to a single controller?hashtag

Up to 16 locks can be connected to a single controller.

chevron-rightWhich credentials are supported by Verkada Wireless Locks?hashtag

The Verkada Wireless Lock supports the same credentials as all other fourth-generation Verkada readers, including:

  • Bluetooth (via the Verkada Pass app) with intent-to-unlock

  • Mobile NFC

  • Low-frequency cards

  • High-frequency cards

See the Supported Card Formats datasheetarrow-up-right for more information.

chevron-rightCan I change the door’s schedule locally with the Verkada Wireless Lock?hashtag

Yes. There are a few ways to change a door’s schedule locally with the Verkada Wireless Lock.

The Wireless Lock supports Double Badge, just like wired doors. Using Double Badge allows you to temporarily override the door’s schedule. For more details, see Double Badge to Override a Door's Schedule.

Additionally, the interior module of the Verkada Wireless Lock includes a programmable button that can perform various actions, depending on your configuration:

  • No Action – Pressing the button does nothing.

  • Unlock Mode – Pressing the button toggles the door from its current schedule to unlocked mode. Pressing it again returns the door to its scheduled state.

  • Privacy Mode – The button follows the functionality described in Privacy Mode (Verkada Implementation).


Troubleshooting

chevron-rightHow do I troubleshoot a Verkada Wireless Lock that is not functioning correctly?hashtag

If your Verkada Wireless Lock is not functioning as expected, contact Verkada Support for assistance.

chevron-rightWhat should I do if I lose the mechanical key for my Verkada Wireless Lock?hashtag

Contact a locksmith to obtain a replacement if you lose your mechanical key.

chevron-rightWhat happens if the controller connected to the Verkada Wireless Lock goes offline?hashtag

If the controller loses its network connection, it retains the most recent configurations from Verkada Command. Verkada Wireless Locks continue to communicate with the controller and authorize access using these stored settings.

chevron-rightWhat happens if the hub disconnects from the controller?hashtag

If the hub disconnects from the controller, the lock cannot make access decisions. In this case, access is possible using a physical key or by restoring the connection to the hub.

chevron-rightWhat happens if the Verkada Wireless Lock disconnects from the hub?hashtag

If the lock loses connection with the hub, it cannot make access decisions. Restore functionality by using a physical key or re-establishing the lock’s connection to the hub.

chevron-rightWhat happens if the Verkada Wireless Lock loses battery power?hashtag

If the Verkada Wireless Lock loses power, it maintains its current locked or unlocked state. You can regain access and replace the batteries by using a physical key or temporarily powering the lock via the USB-C port on the bottom of the exterior module, then using your credential as usual. Verkada also recommends enabling low-battery alerts to proactively replace batteries and prevent power loss.


Sales process

chevron-rightWhat information is required on the qualification form?hashtag

The Verkada Wireless Lock Qualification Form requires the following information:

  • End-customer information

  • Verkada authorized partner details

  • Door specifications

  • Responses to questions about wireless lock compatibility

  • Optional: subcontractor information

chevron-rightWhy does Verkada require a qualification form?hashtag

Verkada uses the qualification form to ensure a high-quality installation and excellent customer experience. It assesses door compatibility, gathers master keying information, and helps facilitate a smooth setup. It also informs customers in advance of any limitations with their existing door hardware.

chevron-rightWho is responsible for completing the Verkada Wireless Lock qualification form?hashtag

Each section of the qualification form is clearly labeled, indicating the party responsible for its completion.

chevron-rightHow soon will I receive a response after submitting the qualification form?hashtag

The Verkada Product team reviews submitted forms within five business days. If more information is needed, they may schedule a virtual meeting to discuss details and determine the best next steps.

chevron-rightHow often must I complete the Verkada Wireless Lock qualification form?hashtag

You must complete the qualification form for every deal involving Verkada Wireless Locks.

chevron-rightWhat is the return period for the WH32 hubs?hashtag

The WH32 hubs have a 90-day return period, allowing extra hubs to be purchased if needed to ensure adequate wireless coverage.

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