How To Reprogram a Nissan Key Fob

Nissan Key Fob Not Working? Learn How to Reprogram It

Quick Summary: How to Reprogram a Nissan Key Fob
If your Nissan key fob stops working after sitting unused or after replacing the battery, there’s a good chance it’s lost synchronization with your vehicle. To reprogram a Nissan key fob, you’ll need to follow a specific seven-step process that involves cycling the ignition, positioning the key away from the vehicle, and performing a timed sequence to re-pair the Nissan key fob. You can usually do this yourself in about five minutes without visiting the dealership.

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As someone who’s been diagnosing and fixing automotive electrical issues for decades, I can tell you this: Nissan’s key fob synchronization system is one of the most incredibly stupid engineering designs I’ve ever run across. The fob can lose its pairing if the car sits too long or if the battery voltage dips even slightly. Fortunately, I’ve reprogrammed enough of these to know the right steps to get your fob working again without paying a dealer.

Nissan Service Bulletin NTB16-028b: What You Should Know

Nissan issued service bulletin NTB16-028b to address fob synchronization problems affecting several models. If you own one of these vehicles and your fob doesn’t respond even with a new battery, this is likely your issue:
Affected Vehicles:

2015-18 Altima
2019 Altima
2018-19 Kicks
2016-16 Maxima
2015-19 Murano
2016 Murano Hybrid
2015-19 Pathfinder
2016-19 Rogue
2017-19 rogue Hybrid
2017-19 Rogue Sport

How to tell if your Nissan key fob has desynchronized and needs to be reprogrammed

If the lock/unlock, panic, and trunk release buttons do not work and either door lock/unlock switch works when it’s brought in closer range, AND the battery is new or known to have a full charge, AND the vehicle won’t start, the intelligent key fob has probably become desynchronized from the vehicle.

How to reprogram a Nissan key fob

1) Push the IGN button to ON. If it does not start, press to OFF
2) Open the driver’s window and exit the vehicle
3) Place the Nissan intelligent key fob at least 10’ away from the vehicle
4) Re-enter the vehicle WITHOUT the key fob. Do NOT open any doors from this point on until the re-synchronization procedure is complete
5) Press the IGN button and IMMEDIATELY and WITHIN 30 seconds, have a helper hand the Nissan intelligent key fob to you through the open window.
6) WITHOUT pressing the IGN button, hold the Nissan key fob directly in front of the IGN switch as shown and listen for two short tones. If you hear two short tones, the key is now re-synchronized, and you can apply the brake pedal and press the start button to start the engine
7) If you do NOT hear two beeps, repeat the procedure, making sure you move the fob a minimum of 10’ away from the vehicle and perform all the steps in rapid succession and within the allotted time.

Understanding Why You Need to Reprogram a Nissan Key Fob

Nissan’s intelligent key system uses radio frequency communication between the fob and the car’s immobilizer module. When the system loses handshake synchronization—usually after the car sits idle for weeks or the fob battery weakens—you’ll suddenly find that the lock, unlock, panic, and trunk buttons stop responding. In some cases, the engine won’t start even with the fob inside the vehicle.

When that happens, you’ll need to reprogram the Nissan key fob or, as Nissan calls it, re-pair the Nissan key fob. It’s not technically complicated, but you must perform each step precisely within the time window.

If you still can’t re-pair the Nissan key fob after multiple tries:

• Confirm the key fob battery is fresh and properly installed.
• Try performing the procedure with a second registered key fob if available.
• Check for blown fuses related to the Intelligent Key system.
• In rare cases, the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) may require dealer-level programming or replacement.
• Sometimes, a professional scan tool can confirm if the fob signal is being received by the body control module. If not, the issue could be internal to the fob itself.

Key Takeaways: How to Re-pair Your Nissan Key Fob

• Always start by replacing the key fob battery before you reprogram the Nissan key fob.
• The fob must be moved at least 10 feet away from the vehicle during the reset process.
• Perform every step within 30 seconds of the ignition cycle to keep the system active.
• If you hear two beeps, the synchronization worked.
• If you hear nothing, repeat the procedure carefully.
• Once you’ve successfully re-paired your Nissan key fob, it will function normally—lock, unlock, and start—just like it did when new.

©, 2019 Rick Muscoplat