Buzz
Most digital safes are equipped with a mechanical lock as a backup, allowing you to open them manually in case the keypad fails. But what should you do if you lose the key and the keypad isn't powered? Don't worry! You can still open the digital safe by restoring power to the keypad so you can enter your password. If you forget the password, the safe can be reset by using a small tool like a pin or wire to press the reset button located behind the control panel on the door. If all else fails, consider attempting to break the lock or drill through the keyhole.
Steps
Restore Power to the Keypad
Charge or Replace the Battery if You Don't Have the Key. Some digital safes come with a keypad for entering a password, along with a mechanical key to unlock it. If the keypad runs out of battery and you don't have the key, you can charge or replace the battery to power up the keypad.
- If you don't have the key, you can still open the digital safe using the electronic keypad.
Find the Keypad Battery Tray and Open It. Look around or above the keypad to locate the battery tray. Typically, the tray is positioned beneath the keypad. You can unlock the latch with your hands and remove the battery cover.
- For some digital safes, you may need to unscrew the battery tray.
- Ensure that the battery tray is not damaged or missing parts. If you find any issues, take the safe to a professional to open it.
Replace with the Correct Battery Type and Voltage. Once the battery tray is open, remove the old battery. Then, insert a new battery of the same type and voltage into the original position and close the tray cover.
- The keypad will light up once the power is restored.
Plug in the Safe's Power Charger (if available). If your safe has a USB port, power input, or a 9-volt battery tray on the keypad, plug in the power or insert the battery. Let the keypad charge for at least 10 minutes to reset the power, then try opening the safe again.
- If the safe has a USB charging port, you can use any USB cable.
- Some safes require a specific power cable for charging the keypad, but you can try a different cable if the plug fits the port.
- The charging light or a light beneath the keypad will activate once the power is restored.
Enter the Password to Open the Safe Once Power is Restored. Once the keypad is connected to power, enter your password to unlock the safe. Once the locking mechanism is disengaged, the safe will open.
- If you've forgotten the password, try resetting the safe.
Reset the Safe
Inspect the Back of the Safe Door or Digital Components. Look for a small hole or gap located at the back or underneath the safe. Shine a flashlight through the hole to examine the back of the control panel.
- You will find wires and electronic components behind the panel.
Insert a Hanger Hook through One of the Holes in the Safe. Bend the hanger hook into a long, thin wire. Feed the hook through one of the gaps to reach the control panel.
- Be careful not to get the hook stuck in the hole, as it could damage the keypad and prevent it from being reset.
Tip: If you don't have a metal hanger or the gap is too small for the hanger, try finding a piece of wire that is small and rigid enough to access the control panel.
Press the Reset Button Inside the Safe's Keypad. Shine a flashlight to locate the Reset button behind the control panel and insert the metal wire into it. This is usually a small black button with a "Reset" label next to it. Use the hook or wire to press this button.
- The control panel will light up or emit a "beep" when you press the Reset button.
Enter a New Password on the Front Keypad. After pressing the Reset button, you will be able to enter a new password on the front keypad. Input a password that you can easily remember.
- Make sure to write down the password or save it on your phone in case you forget it.
Confirm the new password by pressing the Set button next to the Reset button. Shine a flashlight through one of the gaps in the safe and locate the "Set" button next to the previously found "Reset" button. Use the metal wire to press this button and confirm the password you just entered.
- The control panel may light up or emit a "beep" once the new password is confirmed.
- Sometimes, the Set button is not labeled or may have a checkmark next to it on the front of the panel.
Open the safe by entering the new password. Remove the metal wire from the safe and enter the new password on the front keypad. When the locking mechanism is disengaged, you will be able to open the safe door.
Other Solutions
Insert a knife blade into the lock hole and wiggle to unlock. If the safe has a mechanical lock, use a hard knife with a pointed tip and insert it into the lock hole. Wiggle the knife back and forth to force the locking mechanism to open. If successful, you will be able to unlock the safe door.
- This method is usually effective with cheaper safes.
- This solution may also work with safes that combine both a key and an electronic keypad.
Insert a screwdriver into the lock hole and turn to break the lock. Place the safe on a flat surface and insert a flathead screwdriver into the lock hole. Turn the screwdriver counterclockwise back and forth until you hear or feel the locking mechanism break. Then, remove the screwdriver and open the safe.
- After damaging the locking mechanism with the screwdriver, you may no longer be able to lock the safe again.
Drill Through the Mechanical Keyhole. If all other methods fail, this is the last resort. You will need an electric drill with a strong enough bit to penetrate the metal. Begin drilling into the keyhole of the safe until the drill bit breaks through and damages the locking mechanism. Once done, you should be able to open the safe door.
Note: Safes are not easy to drill into, so this method may damage the drill.
