Are you finding it impossible to open your safe? First of all, don’t panic. It’s certainly annoying and inconvenient, but don’t let it get to you. Normally, when a safe fails, it is still locked. Let’s look at some common reasons your safe won’t open. There are a number of things you can try before calling a safe technician.
Jammed bolt work. Is the motor trying to retract the bolt work, yet it still won’t open? If so, bang on the door with a mallet, or kick it. Go ahead and do it. It will work, as long as you don’t pound the keypad or the handle. If you do it correctly, it will effectively loosen the bolt work. After that, try pulling the handle in the opposite direction of what you usually do, and enter the code. If you’re fortunate, this should release the extra pressure on the bolt, so that the handle will now move.
Dead batteries. There could be enough power to operate the keypad, but not enough for the bolt work to function. Therefore, if the keypad beeps and lights up like it always does, the issue may be quickly solved as soon as you replace the batteries. Choose a reputable brand, because off-brands lose power more quickly.
Deactivated code. Maybe your safe isn’t opening because the code has been deactivated. If so, reset it.
Time delay. If your safe has a time-delay feature, then you need to wait for a specified period of time (generally 10 to 20 minutes). Now, put in the code again, and it should work.
The wiring is disconnected and/or damaged. The wiring might be disconnected. It may need to be repaired. Check the wiring behind the keypad, and you’ll see if any wires are kinked, loose, or cut.
- If it looks good, then temporarily disconnect the wire from the keypad, and take out the batteries. Wait for about 20 seconds. Then reconnect the wiring, put the batteries back in, and it should work.
- If the wiring is indeed damaged, call a professional safe technician.
It’s in lockout mode. If you’ve put in too many wrong passcodes in a row, your safe can go into a penalty-lockout mode. Depending on what type of keypad your safe has, there may be some rapid beeps. If you hear them, wait about 10 to 20 minutes. Your safe should open after that.
What if you’re entering the correct combination, but your safe still won’t open? If your safe has the conventional three-wheel combination lock (that is, three digits) then you need to do the following:
1 Turn the dial to the left 4 times, until the first digit of your combination aligns with the opening index. On the fourth time, stop exactly on your number.
2 Turn the dial to the right 3 times, until the second digit of your combination aligns with the opening index. On the third time, stop precisely on your number.
3 Turn the dial to the left 2 times, until the third digit of your combination aligns with the opening index. On the second time, stop on your number exactly.
4 Turn the dial to the right until it stops (around 95). If the dial doesn’t stop, then do your routine opening procedure again, accurately dialing each digit of your combination. Keep in mind that your safe will stay locked if you dial even a tiny bit past any number you meant to stop on.
5 To lock your combination lock again, turn the dial 4 complete revolutions, stopping on any number that’s not in your combination.
After all that, what if your safe still isn’t opening? There is no denying now that you need to call an expert safe technician. Please, don’t drill your safe, or you’ll cause damage!
What if your safe doesn’t lock at all, but stays open instead? Investigate these issues:
1 Replace the batteries. Choose only a top-value brand.
2 Make sure the edges of the cover are lined up. Be sure there isn’t any debris in the edges.
3 Verify that the bolts aren’t damaged in any way. You also need to see that the holes they go into aren’t blocked by any detritus.
4 Try to “lock” your safe, even with the door open. If the locking mechanism is still working now, you’ll know the problem lies elsewhere.
5 Lubricate the locking mechanism. If a spring is sticking, this will probably resolve everything. Choose the proper lubricant. Lubricant for a combination lock is different from the graphite-based lubrication for a keyed lock.
Did you misplace or forget your combination? Locate a legitimate safe technician with the knowhow and expertise necessary to open your safe. A topnotch safe technician will make your safe more secure than it was before, and without doing any damage.
Don’t ever try to “crack” your safe by yourself! Opening safes, and properly handling combination locks (mechanical or digital), are specialized tasks calling for exceptional precision, skill, and experience. Hire a dependable professional with a thorough understanding of the locking methods and maintenance requirements of today’s safes.
A myth about getting your safe opened by a professional is that the safe will be damaged during the process ~ but this will not be the case if you find a legitimate, eminently qualified safe specialist. Be doubtful of anyone claiming to be a safe expert who doesn’t actually have the appropriate credentials. Choose an accomplished safe technician you can count on ~ an individual who is officially licensed, duly insured, fittingly certified, suitably bonded, and thoroughly background-checked. Hire a reliable individual who will carry the right tools, possessing the sensitivity and skill with touch and sound required.
If you’re located anywhere in Centennial, Colorado, consider Mobile Locksmith Centennial, where you can request a free consultation with a staff mobile safe technician. Make sure to get all your questions answered to your full satisfaction before you give your permission for any work to begin.
Aricle source here: CAN’T GET YOUR SAFE OPEN? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!
