Question: I’m not entirely sure why, but my Toyota key fob stopped working once I returned from vacation. There’s no damage to the fob, and I replaced the battery, but it still won’t work. My wife said I should just reprogram the key, but I have no idea how to do that. How do you program the key fob for a Toyota?
Answer: You may need to program your Toyota key fob to your car after you replace the battery or purchase a replacement key fob. Fortunately, this is an easy process that you can usually do at home.
How to program a Toyota key fob
For the process to work, these six steps must be completed within about 40 seconds.
- Sit in the driver’s seat of your car and close all the doors.
- Place your key in the ignition and turn it to the “On” position.
- Turn the key back to “Off,” then to “On” again. Do this quickly—within about five seconds.
- Take the key out of the ignition.
- Open and close the driver’s door twice.
- Put your key in the ignition, then take it out again.
If you’ve successfully programmed your Toyota key fob, you’ll hear the doors lock within about three seconds.
If that process doesn’t work, try it again. The steps must be completed within the time frame of 40 seconds for the programming to be successful, and it can sometimes take a couple of attempts. If you’ve tried several times and your key fob still doesn’t work, you may need to reach out to an authorized Toyota dealer in your area.
How to change the battery in a Toyota key fob
If your key fob isn’t working, you may need to change its battery. Toyota key fobs typically use a CR 2032 3V battery.
The process for opening your key fob may vary depending on the model year of your Toyota, but it should be fairly simple:
- For older Toyotas: Locate the notch at the bottom of your key fob. Place a paperclip or coin into the notch and turn it clockwise—the battery compartment will pop open.
- For newer Toyotas: Remove the hidden metal key and slide it into the notch in the bottom of the key compartment, then turn the key to open the battery compartment.
Once the compartment is open, carefully remove the green circuit board and turn it over to locate the battery. Gently pry out the battery and replace it with a new one. Then, put the circuit board back into place and reassemble the key fob. If it still isn’t working properly, you’ll need to reprogram the key fob or visit an authorized Toyota dealer.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
