Leaving restaurant tonight I was walking out to my 4runner and it would not unlock until I got right up to the truck ,thought that it was odd so when I got home I went inside and got my spare key and tried it ,same thing. I had to walk right up to the 4runner to get doors to lock or unlock,usually I can hit the locks from inside the house and I can hear the beep ,not today. 4runner is new and I just turned 10k miles . Searched and did not see anyone else with this issue,figured I’d check around before going to the dealership.

Try a new battery in the key fob and see if that solves the problem.

This! I barely use the buttons on my 4Runner key fob and yet my batteries had to be replaced within about 6 months. Went with the Energizer lithium batteries and haven’t had a problem since. There were also times it wouldn’t detect the key in my left pocket when I went to start it before replacing the batteries. It’s sad since even my second fob was drained pretty bad and I never use it (yes, I’m aware of how keyless entry works and that the battery emits a constant signal).

I have a 21 and have the same issue.
I’ve replaced my fob battery 3 times in 1 yr.
I think this is because of it constantly sending out a signal to connect with the T4R.

I also have noticed at times I have to be right next to the T4R in order to lock unlock the doors.

I’m sure we are not the only people that are having this issue!

aside form a bad fob or bad battery there could be some other interference making your battery drain faster than it should. FOB batteries should last years.

do you keep your FOB on a wall hook or very close to the vehicle when not in use. ie. vehicle parked in garage, FOB hung on a hook near the garage door only a few feet away?

do you carry your keys along with your phone in the same pocket / bag. or near any magnets? in a world with so much tech I wouldn't be surprised if something else was causing the FOB to beacon when not near the car, perhaps something that transmits in the same frequency as a the vehicle maybe

a working FOB battery should last a few years under normal use. my FOB battery lasted 8 years. I also store my FOBs in a faraday box when not in use as well (get one of these if you dont have one)

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Vid on how to turn off the FOB ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wmr1VPU8cw

something seems to be wrong here. I have a 2014 LTD. I have 2 fobs, but have only changed the battery once - about 4 years after I bought it. It is still on the second battery and I can lock / unlock and remote start it from over 100 yards. From my 3rd floor condo in the city I can lock / unlock and remote start it from a 1/2 a city block away...........

Do you have push button start?
You have a 2014 and not a 2020 or 2021....
This info came directly from my manual.

My previous 2014 didn't have a push button start or all of the antennas to read/transmit the signal from fob to vehicle and from vehicle to fob.
My previous key fob could transmit a long distance and battery would last years as well.

Here are some answers to our questions about smart key fobs…….

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