Changing the Battery in a Nissan Key Fob: Altima, Rogue, & More

Download Article

Replace your dead key fob’s battery in minutes

Co-authored by Shawn Fago and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: August 29, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Replacing Your Battery
|
• Starting Your Car with a Dead Key Fob
|
• How Do You Replace The Battery In a Car Key Fob?
|
• Expert Interview

|Show more |Show less

If you think your Nissan’s key fob might be dead, don’t panic! You can easily change out the battery using just a flathead screwdriver or a coin. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the steps you need to get you back on the road again. Plus, we’ll also tell you how you can start your car without a working key fob, in case you’re ever in a jam.

Things You Should Know

• If you have a key inside your fob, remove it or flip it out. Split the fob along the crack using a screwdriver or coin, take the battery out, and replace it.
• When putting the battery back in, make sure the plus sign is facing down. Reassemble the fob and push the two sides together until they click.
• If your key fob is dead, access the emergency key by flipping the latch on the back of the fob.

Steps

Get Car Support Solve Any Problem

Hi there! Do you have a question about how to diagnose or fix a problem with your car? I’ve read the manual so you don’t have to. Select your make, model, and year, then ask away!

Select Make Audi BMW Cadillac Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Fiat Ford GMC Hyundai Jeep KIA Lexus Mazda Nissan Ram Toyota Wagoneer Other *

Select Model ARIYA Altima Altima Coupe Armada Cube Frontier GT-R Juke Kicks LEAF Maxima Murano Murano Hybrid NV Cargo NV Passenger NV200 Compact Cargo Pathfinder Pathfinder Hybrid Quest Rogue Rogue Hybrid Rogue Select Rogue Sport Sentra Titan Versa Note Versa Sedan Xterra Z Z Coupe Z Roadster Other *

Select Year (optional) I don't know Other

Ask

Section 1 of 2:

Replacing Your Battery

Download Article

1. 1
   Pull out the emergency key. If your Nissan vehicle doesn’t need a key to start, there should be a little latch on the back of the fob. Pull on it and remove the emergency key.

   • If your key fob has a flip-out key blade, press the silver button in the upper corner to flip the blade out so you can open the fob more easily.
   • If your key is for a 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra, unscrew the back. Use a #0 Philips head screwdriver to remove the screw near the bottom of the key.
   • If your fob is a Nissan proximity key for a Micra, Note, or Qashqai model, pull the tab on the side of the key and slide the bottom casing to the opposite side. Pull off the casing.
2. 2
   Pull apart the two sides of the key fob using a screwdriver. Insert a screwdriver into the small slot at the bottom of the fob and twist until the fob pops open. The battery for the remote is the small silver disk on the side of the fob without buttons on the outside.

   • If the model of your car is older, the notch at the bottom of the fob might be wider, making it harder to use a screwdriver. Use a coin instead to easily push open the two sides of the key fob.
   • Make sure your hands are clean and free from oil or grease before touching the inside of the key fob.
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Use a screwdriver to gently pry the battery out. In one of the openings along the battery holder, insert your screwdriver under the battery and lift it out. Carefully hold the battery by the edges and make sure you don’t touch the inner electrical circuits or terminals of the key fob.
4. 4
   Insert the new battery. Make sure that the old battery is the same width and voltage as your new battery. When putting the battery back in, make sure that the side with the specs etched into the battery and the plus sign (+) are face-down in the key fob. Push the battery against the springs on the inside and push down until it clicks into place. If you’re not sure what kind of battery to get, there may be an engraving in the plastic behind the old battery indicating what type of battery it takes. Here are common battery specs:

   • Nissan Altima (2007-2021): CR2032
   • Nissan Rogue (2010-2023): CR2032H
   • Nissan Rogue (Flip Key Fob) (2014-2020): CR2032
   • Nissan Sentra (2013-2019): CR1620
   • Nissan Micra, Qashqai, or Note: CR2032
   • Nissan Leaf (2010-2020): CR2025 or CR2032
   • If you’re still not sure what kind of battery your key fob takes, check your owner’s manual.
5. 5
   Reassemble the two halves of the key fob. Gently squeeze them together using two hands until they click. If you have an emergency key, push it back in the slot and reset the latch on the back to its original position.

   • If the key fob doesn’t click together right away, make sure that the battery is inserted correctly. If the two sides still aren’t coming together, wrap a piece of cloth around the casing and use a pair of pliers to gently squeeze the two sides together until they click into place.
6. 6
   Test to make sure the key fob is working properly. Press the lock and unlock buttons a couple of times while near your car to see if it locks and unlocks. You will not have to reprogram your key fob after replacing the battery. If your car doesn’t respond, the battery you put in the fob may be dead. Replace the battery with a new one and try again to see if the fob is working correctly.

   • Try removing and reinserting the battery. If your fob is still not working, it may be that the battery isn’t seated correctly. Make sure that the battery is in the correct orientation, face down in the fob.
   • If your key fob still doesn’t work, take your Nissan to a mechanic or your auto dealer. There might be a problem with the key fob’s programming or your car’s electrical system.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 2:

Starting Your Car with a Dead Key Fob

Download Article

1. Flip the key over and push the small latch release on the back of the fob. All push-start Nissan vehicles will have an emergency key in the fob that can be used to drive the car. Pull the emergency key from the bottom of the fob, insert it into the driver’s side door, and unlock your car. Enter your vehicle. There are two ways to start your car depending on whether or not you have a key fob port:

   • If your Nissan has a key fob port by the steering wheel, insert your key. Tap the brake pedal or the clutch as you press the START/STOP button to start your Nissan.
   • If your Nissan doesn’t have a key fob port, step on the brake or clutch. Press the key fob against the START/STOP button to start your car.
   • If you’re having trouble starting your Nissan with a dead key fob, contact your auto dealer to arrange to get a replacement fob right away.
   • If your Nissan does not have a push-start, use your key as normal to unlock the doors and start the vehicle.

How Do You Replace The Battery In a Car Key Fob?

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!