Why Does My Vehicle Say Key Not Detected?

The car cannot see the smart key. Most often that is a flat key battery, the key being shielded by a phone, a wallet or metal, interference nearby, or a fault in one of the vehicle's antennas. Many cars have a backup position — often against the start button or in a marked slot — that will let you start once.

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  • Cut & programmeCar and van keys cut and paired at the vehicle.
  • Local coverageFareham and the surrounding villages.

Try this first

  • Hold the key directly against the start button and press
  • Take the key out of a wallet or away from a phone
  • Fit a new battery of the correct type
  • Try a second key if one exists

If it keeps happening

Intermittent detection often means a tired battery contact inside the key or a failing antenna on the vehicle. It is worth diagnosing before it strands you somewhere inconvenient.

Read next

Your vehicle, your location

Get a car key quote in Fareham

  • Registration, make, model and year.
  • Where the vehicle is parked and your postcode.
  • Tell us what has happened and whether a working key remains.

Get a car key quote in Fareham

The more vehicle detail you give, the more accurate the answer.

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