Start a Land Rover with a Dead Key Fob

How to Start a Land Rover with a Dead Key Fob

This page holds all of the emergency start or back-up start procedures needed for Land Rover vehicles if the battery in the key fob dies or if there are electrical signals interfering with the fob.

Starting Your Land Rover

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• Second, for video help, click here!
• Finally, if you need or want another manufacturer, click here.

Land Rover models use three areas as back-up start locations. Two involve the steering column and one is near the cup holders.

LR4, Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Evoque, Velar

LR4, Defender, Discovery (2021-2025), Discovery Sport (all model years), Evoque, and Velar (2021-2026) models use a spot under the steering column as a back up spot (right).

Hold the Smart Key fob flat against the underside of the steering column, buttons facing down, as shown. Note the markings, three parallel lines, on the steering column that mark to the correct right spot. The Message Center in your instrument panel will display “Smart Key Recognized”. You will need to hold the key fob in place, and press the Start / Stop ignition button and the brake pedal, all at the same time, to start the vehicle.

Older Discovery, Velar and Range Rover, Range Rover Sport

Older Discovery models (2017-2020), Range Rover Velar models (2018-2020), all Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models use a spot on the left side of the column. The three parallel lines marking the correct spot (right).

Hold the Smart Key fob against the lines with the buttons facing out, as shown. Once again, when the fob is in the right spot, the Message Center in your instrument panel will display “Smart Key Recognized”. And again, the key fob will need to be held in place, and press the Start / Stop ignition button and the brake pedal all at the same time to start the vehicle.

New Range Rover and New Range Rover Sport

In 2022, Land Rover introduced what it call the New Range Rover and the New Range Rover Sport, both with a new back up start location opposite the USB ports (right). To access the spot, the cup holders must be slid towards the rear. Place the smart key on the markings next to the USB ports.

Once again, hold the key fob in place, and press the Start / Stop ignition button and the brake pedal all at the same time to start the vehicle.

Check our videos for additional help with Land Rovers.

Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.

Models examined include the Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, and New Range Rover. Model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

… Return to Part I, Getting In

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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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