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My Safe Won’t Open: Five Things to Try

One of the most common troubleshooting calls we receive is:

“My safe won’t open. What do I do?”

Here are five common reasons why your safe won’t open, and what steps you should try before you call a technician.

Five Possible Reasons Your Safe Won’t Open

Dead batteries.

Fingers crossed, the reason your safe won’t open is as simple as dead batteries.

Before you try anything, change the batteries using brand name batteries. Off brand batteries lose power much faster than their brand-name counterparts.

It is important to try this step first, even if your keypad beeps and lights up as normal. There may be enough power in the batteries to operate the keypad, but not enough to completely retract the boltwork .

Jammed Bolt Work

At times, the bolt work can get jammed for a wide variety of reasons. If you hear the motor trying to retract the bolt work, but the safe won’t open, a jam could be the culprit.

It’s time to unleash your inner-frustrations; you get to mule kick the safe. Turn your back to the safe, and kick the door, hard, a few times. Be sure that you do not kick the keypad or the handle. This will help loosen the bolt work.

Next, pull the handle in the opposite direction than you normally do and enter the code. This will release some of the extra pressure on the bolt and should help the handle move more freely.

Lockout Mode or Time Delay

Many safes go into penalty lockout mode if too many wrong codes are entered. Depending on the type of keypad, it typically emits a rapid series of beeps. If this happens, wait 10 to 20 minutes, and try again.

Your safe also may have a time delay . If this is the case, you will need to wait for the specified time delay period (typically 10 minutes) and re-enter your code.

Deactivated Code

Another possible reason your safe won’t open is your code has been deactivated. Have someone else try their code to see if theirs works.

Disconnected and/or Damaged Wiring

As with any electronic device, wiring can get disconnected and/or damaged. Remove the keypad and inspect the wires to see if they have come loose, are kinked, or cut.

If everything is intact, disconnect the wire from the keypad, and remove the batteries. Wait at least 20 seconds, then reinstall the batteries and reconnect the wiring.

If wiring is damaged or cut, you will need to call a technician. Be sure to tell them the type of keypad you have installed so they can bring one when they come.

If you try all of these steps and your safe still won’t open, it’s time to call a technician. If you have any questions, let us know . We’re happy to help!

45 thoughts on “ My Safe Won’t Open: Five Things to Try ”

Hi there, I’m having a problem opening my safe with a LA Gard keypad. Ever since I bought it, it has its moments that it don’t want to cooperate for a day or two..but now it just won’t open.please help as I have money,things for a case in court that is coming up and without them things I dont have a case. What am I doing wrong?(323)253-8045 willie

Hi, Willie. Your best bet is to go to http://www.findalocksmith.com or http://www.savta.org to find a reputable locksmith/safe technician to help you. They’ll charge you and you will have to provide proof of residence for where the safe is located, but they’ll be able to help get the safe open.

I have a lagard lock on me gun safe. I changed my code. Worked fine for a day. My code consisted with of the 1 thru 6. Next day I put in the code and didn’t hear any beep as I pushed the numbers. If I push 7 thru 9 I hear a beep. Need your help please. Thanks

hi bobby i have the same thing all i do is discontect the battery push the key pads and then connect the battery again and at works but i am get fed up with doing that

Where is the battery located?

Please help just bought a safe ( RedHead ) I have the comb but cannot get it to open

Steve, If it has a mechanical lock (No buttons or keypad but has a mechanical 100 number dial) on it turn the dial five complete rotations in either direction. Next, turn the dial counterclockwise (left) three revolutions and stop with the first number comes to the index mark on the fourth rotation. Turn the dial clockwise (right) passing the second number twice and stop when it comes to the index mark on the third revolution. Turn the dial counterclockwise (left) passing the third number once and stop when it comes to the index mark on the second revolution. Now turn the dial clockwise (right) and the dial should come to a dead stop. you should then be able to turn the handle of your safe and open your door.

You may need to do these steps a few times before you get it. Make sure that each time you align the number with the index mark (at 12 o’clock on the dial ring) that you do it precisely, so you are dialing the number exactly.

For example if your safe combination was 25, 45, 65, you would need to dial these exactly. If you dial 23, 42, 63, it will likely not open as the internal components are not aligned properly.

If you have an electronic lock, try replacing the battery with a brand new Duracell battery and try again.

You may need to contact the manufacturer if these procedures don’t get you your desired results.

Thank you for your comment.

Hi, I have a dominator ground safe operated with a key which I have not opened in over one year. Now I kneed access to important documents and the key won’t turn the lock. Please advise.

I suggest contacting the manufacturer of your safe to see if there is a manufacturer approved troubleshooting document available or if your safe is still under warranty. It may be that there is debris in your lock and could be as simple as vacuuming the keyway out to clean out debris. If there is a lock failure, you will need to locate a reputable safe technician in your area. Safe technicians can be found searched for at http://www.savta.org , http://www.findalocksmith.com , or http://www.clearstar.com

All the best to you.

I own a protector gun safe and the batteries are to low to open the door. I tried my key and it will not turn and I broke the key tab off. I can remove the broken piece. What do I do now?

Richard, I suggest contacting a local reputable safe technician in your area to help you with your problem. You can do so by checking http://www.findalocksmith.com or http://www.savta.org and using their search tools, should be able to find someone near you able to help.

Hi, I need to change the batteries of our safe, but I cannot remove them by opening the keypad. Seems they need to be replaced from inside the door.It is a Fier Fyter from Costco. Should I call a technician or is there an easier solution? Thanks for your help! Elsa

Elsa, I would suggest contacting COSTCO and see if there is a warranty or if they have the contact information for the manufacturer. You may also want to go to http://www.findalocksmith.com or http://www.savta.org and using their search tools, should be able to find someone near you able to help.

We have a 2007 redhead cabinet with combination but lost the combination and cannot open the cabinetc. How can we reset this before calling a locksmith?

Melissa, I would suggest contacting the company you bought it from. “Redhead” has been used by a couple of manufacturers as names for certain lines of safes. The company you purchased it from should be able to help you locate a number to contact the manufacturer. If this doesn’t work, I suggest going to http://www.findalocksmith.com or http://www.savta.org to locate a reputable safe technician in your area to remedy your safe issue.

We have a 2007 redhead cabinet with combination but lost the combination and cannot open the cabinet.How can we reset this before calling a locksmith?

How do u reserved the combination on a 2007 redhead gun cabinet

Very good. After an evening of total grrrr frustration, I came across this site on google. You saved the day. The 24/7 phone number on the safe was useless as I called a few times with no answer (musta been on a p@#$ break). Anyway, even though the battery worked, lights worked and the beeps worked…. as you stated, the battery did not have enough “juice” to completely retract the boltwork. A quick trip to the drug store, a new battery and everyone’s happy again. ^5

We love hearing stories like this! Glad we could help!

I just bought a 24 gun stack on safe. Got home and the code I put in worked every time now 2 days later I pressed the keypad and makes no beep and when I press one number from my code such as 0 it beeps and when I finish the code, the yellow light flashes 3 times. I can still get in the safe with the back up key but it’s frustrating that 600 safe keypad won’t work when it did yesterday and the day before with no issues! Their customer support is closed till Monday. I disconnected everything and when I plug it back in it just beeps and does nothing on the keypad and just put in a energizer battery brand new!

Hi I just bought the same safe you havr and having the same problem as you. Have you figured it out yet? Any help will be appreciated.

I called stack on customer service and they walked me through the problem. The black piece on the motherboard was loose which causes only one Or two buttons to work. They sent me all new parts for free and works perfect. I would just call them and they will help u out.

Thanks alot. I lef it alone awhile after messing with the wires and it wasnt doing anything and went back about an hour later now its fine. I guess it was a loose connection and it needed time to reset lol. Glad it also came with keys.

We put the five number code in but the handle doesn’t go all the way down

Handle won’t push down all the way

Hi I have a safe that uses the lg basic 3710. The keypad has stopped working and the safe is locked. There is no power going to the key pad even though I’ve replace the 9V battery with a new one. The supplier is charging me more than the cost of a new safe to get access to my contents (I feel as if I’m held to ransom). Can I peel off the existing keypad and replace it with a new electronic Lagard keypad, get the safe door opened, get access to my contents and have a working safe? Thanks

Does it not come with a back up key? Also I wouldn’t go through the company unless your motherboard is defected and they send u another one like I got when mine quick working. I got it for free. But you should’ve gotten a back up key if it’s electronic

Also, there is a motherboard inside the safe so u would have to open the safe to even get to the motherboard. Check all the connections and pull out the ribbon from the key pad from the circuit board and then plug it back in. Usually comes loose

Hi Brandon Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately the safe has no key hole … it cannot be opened by a key. The only access is through the keypad. Considering that I’ve had the safe for 15 year I think the circuitry has died (even though you would expect a commercial quality safe would last a lot longer). I was only wondering that, if I did peel away the keypad, removed the ribbon cable (I think the circuitry is within the keypad) and reconnect it to a newer model keypad (such as the Lagard LG Basic II) that maybe I can unlock the safe and, not only get access to my contents, but at the same time have a secure safe again. I’m only asking for advice before I attempt anything ….. Thanks

To be honest I couldn’t tell u. But I know there is a motherboard and a circuit board and one is inside the safe by the locking mechanism

Thanks Brandon. I’ll do some more research before I make a final decision.

i am have the same problem. it is a cannon safari safe.. no key!

Call the company is the best option you have and have then figure it out. Always try the battery and unplug what u can and reset it. If not call the company and they could either send somebody to help u out or even send u new parts to get in the safe

I’m a safe technician in Southern California, I specialize in troubleshooting service and repair of gun safes, money safes, inventory safe, utility safe and have a variety of locks, keypad and or complete lock kits at a very affordable price if interested please contact me at [email protected]

I have an problem in keep safe …That is ….When I entered password after that it’s shows me timers again again …What should I do….Plzz help me

Make sure that your battery terminals aren’t corroded because that’s what was wrong with mine. As soon as I cleaned up the terminals it worked

I have an amsec esl5 electronic lock on a tactical gun safe that drains a 9V battery in 3 days. At this point the lock won’t open even with a fresh battery it beeps four times when I enter the correct code or the default code. What are my options?

We have a challenger tall gun safe. The code is beeping but when it comes to turn the bolt to open it it will not move… It usually makes a noise after code of it moving the bolts to open it is no longer doing that… Help please

I have a Patriot safe that I bought from a guy that buys Estate sales. He did not have the keys nor the numbers for the key pad.so I got it for a great price. Well after getting it home I find out Patriot Safes are out of buisness now. What do I do?

I had (note, had) an OA3810 SentrySafe. It wouldn’t open either. First I removed the 4 AA batteries, put in fresh ones. Nope. I installed a 9v. Nope The solenoid on the OA3810 is apparently on the upper right corner – getting physical. Tapping it with a mallet failed,beating it everywhere failed. So did the Rare Earth magnet I ordered, trying to get the solenoid to move. Nada. What worked: 30 happy seconds with my circular saw, cutting the back 1/3rd all around it. Then a bit of prying with my flat shovel, maybe 5 minutes, exposing the back wall of the inner plastic. The I carefully circular-sawed a square cut at the edges…got my stuff out.

I own a Sentry Model 1610 which I inherited. I have recently moved house and can’t open it. I have changed the batteries and they appear to be OK. I have used the original programmed numbers but to no avail. HELP

Thanks, you saved my life. I didn’t know that a simple battery change would solve my problem. I had luck to read your posting before contacting technicians which could have costed a lots.

My husband’s gun safe’s lock has broken, and I had no idea what to do. I don’t want the kids to get into it and hurt themselves, so I was glad to see your tips. I am especially glad for your last tip about disconnected and damaged wiring because I suspect that may be the problem. Now I just need a locksmith to fix it.

Cabela gun safe won’t open. Bought used over a year ago. From what I read sounds like I need to change battery. Multiple beeps sound and light flashes, but won’t open. I assume battery is on inside. What do I so

Problem with a "Cannon Safari" safe

lock has failed

By Marshal Fire, SASS 10064 July 25, 2016 in SASS Wire

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I have a Cannon safe with a dial combo. I've always ben a little leery of the electronic locks.

Tennessee Trapper Tom

I also have a Cannon safe with electronic locks. Found out the hard way that Durecel batteries tend to corrod the wires. Switched to everready. Even though it solved my problem, the damage is done and I have to now change batteries every two weeks. Samething happened to my thermostat for the house. Durecell corroded the wires. Cost me $165 to replace. It came with durecel, switched immediately to everready

Double Barrel, SASS 34765

Have you gotten your safe open yet?

Springfield Slim SASS #24733

My brother had the same problem, and couldn't find the override key. I have dials on my safes, they always work and never go dead. What is the advantage of an electronic lock anyway, faster access? I'm not in that much of a hurry.

Czexican Dave

My first gun safe was a Liberty Fat Boy with an electronic lock. Went to retrieve guns for a CAS monthly match, but it would not open. Tried a new and a different brand of battery, but no luck. Called Liberty and they said to call a specific independent lock/safesmith in my general area, and don't worry, they would pay for his services. Took him about 2 1/2 hours to drill and open the safe. I inquired, and he said his bill private pay would have been about $400. He also said electronic locks fail on an average of 5 years, and warranty work on them helped keep him in business. He also said a dial lock might last 100 years. Part of his business is replacing new mechanical dial locks at customer request with more modern electronic locks, so he had a few with him and he installed one of those. That gun safe takes me less than one minute extra to open, and has been operating flawlessly since. My second Liberty Fat Boy has an electronic lock, simply because I haven't called him to take off the electronic and install a dial lock. Based on my experience, Liberty does seem to have a good warranty. I also have a 100 year old floor safe that belonged to my wife's grandfather. That dial lock still works fine. When I finish my walk in vault, it's going to have a dial lock. Your mileage may vary.

I was having problems with digital cameras.

The battery was always dead.

So one day I stopped and bought a battery tester.

It isn't much advantage to replace a battery with a half charge battery.

They all look the same.

I have found batteries corroded IN THE WRAPPER.

Duracell DID replace my lectrical earmuffs.

GET A TESTER.

I learned my lesson about electronic locks on a cheap Stack-on safe. That electronic lock was terrible, it was actually quicker to just always use the override key. My current safe is a BF Amsec with a group II combination lock.

Coyote Kincaid

I have three Cannon safes. First one is a dial and when you bring it back to 0 you have to hit it to get everything to fall into place. Second one is digital and haven't had a lick of problems. My third one is digital and it kept draining the battery and locking me out after only owning it for a week. Like you, I couldn't get my ammo out for a match the next day. Sent an email to the President of Cannon and I got a phone call within an hour from a service rep. Got my safe open and sent me a new lock. Haven't had any problems since and that was last year I believe.

Maddog McCoy SASS #5672

My Cannon I bought last year has been doing strange things recently. I was sitting in my Man-Cave and I heard it unlock itself with nobody around. The last couple of times I tried to open it, had to enter the code 4 or 5 times and it seemed it I entered it fast, it would work but not if I entered it slow. I guess I had best call them before I get locked out.

Maddog McCoy

Sedalia Dave

Big Box Residential security containers cut expenses by using cheap parts The lock is one of the easiest places to cut corners that is hard for the purchaser to notice.

If it has an electronic lock that is not at least UL group II certified it is not worth having. Even then the rating only covers its resistance to compromise not reliability. IMHO when it comes to electronic locks you are operating on borrowed time.

I still don't understand the purpose of a combination lock that can be bypassed with a key.

Mechanical locks should have the same UL Group II rating at a minimum. S&G dial locks have an excellent reputation. Look at your lock and google the manufacturer. If they are less than 100% reputable have it replaced ASAP while it still works.

Dial locks can outlast you but they need a little TLC to do so. So avoid rapidly spinning the dial. This places excessive strain on the mechanics of the lock and can lead to premature failure. The dial should always be turned in a slow and deliberate manner.

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HELP!!! Cannon Safe WON'T UNLOCK!!!

Thread starter HOGTOOTH5R
Start date Oct 4, 2014
The Hide Armory
Bolt Action Rifles

Gunny Sergeant

Oct 4, 2014

Hi guys, don't know exactly where I should post this but I figure it'll get the most hits in the Bolt Actions Forum. I've got a Cannon Safari Series Safe that has the Digital Lock. Two weeks ago for some reason it just wouldn't unlock anymore with my Pass Code. I tried everything even calling Cannon Safe and gotten a Master Code and it still wouldn't unlock. Everytime I type in the pass code it'll beep three times and then Nothing. I try again it'll go in to lockout mode. My question does anyone has a Cannon Safe that had this problem before? What other options do I have in terms of Unlock this safe? perhaps a Lock Smith? any input would be greatly appreciate it! I need to get inside before the Hunting Season if possible... Thanks guys and God Bless! Sincerely HOG.

Sounds like someone was trying to get in there pushin buttons

redneckbmxer24

Four star general.

This is why I only purchase safes with dials. Worse case scenario in a quality unit the tumblers wear and you turn a little further.

Try a new battery ?

This might help you. Take the battery out and leave for it be for an hour while you go get a fresh duracell battery. Replace and leave it sit for a few minutes after replacing. Then try it. My bet is your battery is getting weak or you're using a rayovak battery which doesn't have the juice to unlock. Duracell are the batteries with the most kick to get that lock to unlatch... Now for the bad part. This will most likely get you into your safe but the problem will persist as your lock mechanism is failing. Contact canon safe company & get a key for that lock. The key slot is behind the numerical pad. Usually canon (or whatever maker of the safe) will sell them for $25. Good luck.

317millhand

Major hide member.

Dials go bad too. I have a big dollar browning save and a pin sheared inside the lock assembly. Impossible to open. I had to get Browning to get a locksmith out to get it open. Took him over an hour. May be time for you to call a locksmith.

It sounds like the battery is going, the safe we have at work does the same thing when the battery is going bad. The key pad will beep three times and you can't open the safe until you replace the battery.

I got ELITE 54gun safe digital and it DID came with 2 master key or emergency key that can open safe trough behind digital keys incase digital goes bad or low batt and u.. dont all digital safe comes with key?

I had a 30 year TreadLock safe (now owned by Granite) with a mechanical combo lock that went bad. Sad part is it took only a few minutes to cut it open with carbide hole saw to release the locking pins.

You should have been given a set of keys with the safe? The keys will allow you to gain access just in case the digital board malfunctions. Owners manual: http://www.cannonsafe.com/media/manual_pdf/SafariOwnersManual.pdf

agbm said: You should have been given a set of keys with the safe? The keys will allow you to gain access just in case the digital board malfunctions. Owners manual: http://www.cannonsafe.com/media/manual_pdf/SafariOwnersManual.pdf Click to expand...

Trevor300wsm

Team pantydropper.

Three beeps on mine is a dead battery signal. It's a older Cannon.

White Mamba

Make sure the handle is cranked all the way clockwise as well. If I don't take the slop out and leave it counterclockwise it wont open

220 Swift AI

There is good advice here about the batteries. But I can tell you this as I work on locks for a living ( more bank vaults) but a electronic lock is more apt to fail than a mechanical is. If you want to know a fix if either type of lock has fails and need to get in to said safe pm me and I'll tell you. But you have to do this with the door open.

Senior Member

Is the keypad removable from the safe? If so...buy an identical keypad on eBay. Make sure they know the code. I had a friend have a keypad unit of out and he couldn't get in his safe. A new keypad was shipped to him and fixed the problem. No locksmith necessary.

Javelin said: This might help you. Take the battery out and leave for it be for an hour while you go get a fresh duracell battery. Replace and leave it sit for a few minutes after replacing. Then try it. My bet is your battery is getting weak or you're using a rayovak battery which doesn't have the juice to unlock. Duracell are the batteries with the most kick to get that lock to unlatch... Now for the bad part. This will most likely get you into your safe but the problem will persist as your lock mechanism is failing. Contact canon safe company & get a key for that lock. The key slot is behind the numerical pad. Usually canon (or whatever maker of the safe) will sell them for $25. Good luck. Click to expand...

trevor300wsm said: Three beeps on mine is a dead battery signal. It's a older Cannon. Click to expand...

dddoo7 said: Is the keypad removable from the safe? If so...buy an identical keypad on eBay. Make sure they know the code. I had a friend have a keypad unit of out and he couldn't get in his safe. A new keypad was shipped to him and fixed the problem. No locksmith necessary. Click to expand...

Do you have the model number of your safe?

Did you unscrew the front panel with the Phillips head screw, take out the battery and reach your fingers inside the panel push hard to remove face plate and look to see if there is a hole on the right hand side of the panel? It should have a plastic slot to put your key in there... My keys are long suckers. Not sure what lock you have exactly as there are many makers.

My Cannon safe would NOT lock a few weeks ago. I called Cannon (sounded like scripted overseas CS) and after about 2 minutes of her not understanding English and this problem not being in her data bank I hung up. The next day it finally LOCKED. You get what you pay for I guess. 20"x40"x5' FWIW

Oct 5, 2014

I always suggest a manual combination lock when buying a safe. They may be slower but they always open unless you quickly rather than slowly spin the dial. i know this is no help for you now but think about the slower combination dial in your next safe or when you do get it opened just sell it.

My Fort Knox did the same thing. They paid to have it "locksmith" opened, some kind of unusual malfunction which took the guy 4 hours of cussing and drilling to get in. They had the most certifications of anyone in my area so choose wisely for a locksmith, even the best can have trouble getting in your safe which is good to know. Hopefully Cannon will pay your expenses. I am going to have a combo lock installed though, don't trust the digitals any more, even though everyone says they are "more" reliable??

Javelin said: Did you unscrew the front panel with the Phillips head screw, take out the battery and reach your fingers inside the panel push hard to remove face plate and look to see if there is a hole on the right hand side of the panel? It should have a plastic slot to put your key in there... My keys are long suckers. Not sure what lock you have exactly as there are many makers. Click to expand...

All safe companies put 125.00 pieces of shit electronic locks on their safes and it pisses me off to no extent.

mewillis said: that makes no sense. so you are saying you could take any keypad and open any safe as long as they are the same model keypads? I don't think so unless I'm missing something you are trying to say.......... Click to expand...

Constitutionalist, by choice

White Mamba said: Make sure the handle is cranked all the way clockwise as well. If I don't take the slop out and leave it counterclockwise it wont open Click to expand...

I've heard of guns falling against the door and wedging it so the mechanism wouldn't work. The fix for that is to get a ratchet strap and a piece of wood. Wrap the whole safe and put the piece of wood so it pushes the door in. Then give it a shot and see if the locks throw. Sometimes you just need to take the pressure off the door and mechanism.

Oct 6, 2014

So I did a Detailed Examination of the Lock there's no places for a Backup Key and I seriously don't think I can take the lock apart and not break anything, at least not with my Skills. I will contact Cannon again to see what other "Advices" they have for me. Below is a link of what my Safe looks like and the Model Number of it. If nothing else I have no other choice but to call a dam smith and detroy this safe and hopefully get Cannon to cover it since it is under "Life Time Warranty" with them or so I was told... Costco - Cannon Safe Safari 5940 Wide Body Firearm Safe customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

HOGTOOTH5R said: So I did a Detailed Examination of the Lock there's no places for a Backup Key and I seriously don't think I can take the lock apart and not break anything, at least not with my Skills. I will contact Cannon again to see what other "Advices" they have for me. Below is a link of what my Safe looks like and the Model Number of it. If nothing else I have no other choice but to call a dam smith and detroy this safe and hopefully get Cannon to cover it since it is under "Life Time Warranty" with them or so I was told... Costco - Cannon Safe Safari 5940 Wide Body Firearm Safe customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings Click to expand...

Javelin said: Those reviews are so good... Did you get the number plate off? Click to expand...

Did you find the screw behind the sticker? Once you've unscrewed the Phillips head screw, take out the battery, & this is important... put 2 fingers inside the battery compartment and use your man hands to push the face plate forward towards you to pop off the numerical pad... Edited lol Seriously you've got to put some pressure on there as there is sometimes a bit of glue around the key pad edges where it contacts the main cylinder plastic housing.

Call tech support and have them walk you through it in case I'm missing something. It's not that hard once you realize how it is put together.

Watching this thread for the outcome.... I have two safes with the standard S&G lockset (mechanical) simply because electronics always fail at some point. Hopefully they left a back door to get in.

Javelin said: Call tech support and have them walk you through it in case I'm missing something. It's not that hard once you realize how it is put together. Click to expand...

HOGTOOTH5R said: Called the "Tech Support" today again and was pretty given the Cold Shoulder. Told me if the Master Code won't work then I'm pretty much Shit out of Luck. I asked them about the so called "Life Time Warranty" and he told me to read the dam fine prints. Supposedly the Warranty only covers Fire/Water Damage or some crap in that regard. The Lock only has 1 year parts warranty which is over. Told me I should call a Locksmith to get it openned and replace the Lock while I'm at all, of course this will be on my own dime as they will not cover any of this. I've been screwed before but this one was just uncalled for. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CANNON SAFE PRODUCT PERIOD. For All Those whoes even Considering this Brand just Walk away and spend a little more and get a Peace of Mind! And No More Digital Locks Either! I'm quoted $500 for Labor and Replacement Lock. The smith will be here tomorrow to "Fix" it. I will let you guys now after it's fixed. Thanks for all the Help and Responses Guys! I really appreciate all of the Love and Support from this Forum! Sincerely Peter Z Click to expand...

Clusterfrack

That sucks a bag of camel dicks. A quick search shows that you're not the only one who's had problems with Cannon safes: https://www.google.com/search?q=Cannon+Safari+Series+Safe&oq=Cannon+Safari+Series+Safe The Michael Bane Blog: CANNON SAFE FAILURE!

diverdon said: Peter what things did you try? Click to expand...

Ban Cat Handler

It's times and issues like these that I am glad I went with a Liberty safe (and an old school tumbler lock, which they recommended over the digital)...

Liberty FTW!

ZombieMonkey

Can i get a liter of cola.

Oct 7, 2014

If the lock is good and hosed with new battery, you could try rapping on the door with a sand filled mallet or maybe your fist with a sharp blow. Reason being some lock mechanisms may be sticking and a hard strike may free it up to open. If you have a cheap safe with thin skin steel, be sure not to do it too hard to dent the thing. If the smith comes out, make sure they can work on electronic locks and have correct gear so they don't butcher your safe. Ideally, they'll have a spare keypad they will try first as that often is the next easiest thing to do after a battery swap. Most gun safes are easy to drill open with correct tools and should not take more than 5-30 minutes tops to open. Have them replace the lock with a mechanical for better reliability.

Shouldn't the ball bearing plate make drilling a safe pretty useless? Or is that a gimmick?

I had this happen on a Sentry rifle safe. Sentry paid for the local locksmith to come out and check on it, and then paid the locksmith to replace the whole electronic dial mechanism. The mechanism just went out. Check if Cannon will do the same.

Not same brand, but I had an electronic keypad fail on a gun safe with the door locked shut. Got a replacement keypad, used my old code, and it worked. Since then, I bought an extra keypad for ~$30 as a backup in case it ever happens again. What I don't remember was whether I spoke with only the safe manufacturer, or also the digital lock manufacturer. But I do remember that I had to prove that I owned the safe by faxing or mailing a copy of the original sales receipt. Basically, if the digital keypad failed, it can be replaced and your own original code can be used. And FWIW, my brother had an old style manual combination dial lock fail, and had no options except to get a locksmith. A digital electronic keypad can be user replaced in a minute or two.

Apex, His warranty is expired. They won't pay for a locksmith. He stated that in an earlier post.

JMGlasgow said: Apex, His warranty is expired. They won't pay for a locksmith. He stated that in an earlier post. Click to expand...

I've worked in a lot of places, almost all of them required the use of a combination lock to get in them. Even today that holds true. In addition to that, are the (literally) hundreds of safes we use for storage of items. Talk about trying to remember combos (there's a reason there's a magnetic picture of a phone pad on these things; you remember code words that translate into numbers for them versus combination numbers). In all of the 20+ years now of working in these environments, I have only seen one mechanical/non-electronic tumbler combo (Sergeants & Greenleaf) fail. Fortunately, it was on an alternate entry door, so was easily replaced. The electronic locks however, I have seen fail time and time again. Once, it was on a single entrance door to an area that was previously a SAC command post headquarters (think cave, nuclear hardened, massive steel vault door, no way around it). We waited 3 days until they could get a crew in (with the right clearances) to pull the vault door (but hey, we got three days of leave free, since we couldn't get to our work). I've seen probably eight of the electronic locks just give up the ghost. No doubt, they are easier to open (hey if you miss the number, just keep going around until you hit it again), but just not worth the risk to me for my own personal safe. S&G tumbler lock for me...

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Locked Out: Troubleshooting Your Cannon Gun Safe [September 2023 Guide]

Facing issues with your Cannon Gun Safe? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered in this straightforward troubleshooting guide for September 2023.

Whether it’s a locked safe, battery troubles, door alignment, keypad glitches, or security alarm hiccups, I’ll walk you through the steps to resolve them. Your peace of mind is my priority. Let’s dive into practical solutions to ensure your Cannon Gun Safe operates smoothly and securely.

What is a Cannon Gun Safe?

A Cannon gun safe is a gun safe manufactured by the Cannon brand. It is best for:

First-time gun safe owners : Cannon gun safes are user-friendly despite technological advancement. They also offer a series with traditional locking bolts.
Gun collectors : Cannon gun safes can house many guns depending on the gun safe type.
Hunters : Hunters are among those who own many guns, and they are the ones who open their gun safes. Electric locks may not be the best choice for hunters, as batteries can drain easily. The group fits Cannon gun safes with traditional locking bolts.
Gun owners with family : Cannon pledges ultimate security for life to its customers, making it suitable for gun owners living with family, especially those with children and teens. Cannon has a wide range of gun safe sizes, which can accommodate more guns for family members in the industry. Cannon’s motto is “ Nothing Protects Like Cannon .”

Why Choose Cannon Gun Safe?

Cannon gun safe is known for its reliable features and terms benefiting gun owners:

1. Secure storage: Cannon gun safes are strongly built with a minimum of 1″ steel composite door. All have the recommended 12-gauge steel body linings. Cannon gun safes are tested to protect themselves from fire damage for at least 30 minutes at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Cannon also has waterproof gun safes.

2. Manufacturing: Cannon gun safe designs are well-thought and people-friendly. They have adjustable shelves for different gun sizes or your other valuable’s layout needs.

3. Biometric Lock: Gun safes vary in locking mechanisms . Cannon adapts to technological advancements, and they offer safes with electronic locks.

4. Warranty: If your gun safe has gone through attempted theft, flood, or fire damage, Cannon warrants a free service to repair its parts, labor, and shipment. They even have a one-year paint warranty.

5 Common Reasons for a Locked Out Safe

Cannon Gun safe may protect your guns at their very height. That is why it is hard to recover re-entry in cases of forgotten passwords for electronic locks or problems with physical locking bolts.

Here are the five common reasons for a locked-out safe:

1. Malfunctioning Lock

Chances are your gun safe has a jammed lever. Some Cannon Safes are not equipped with a key backup for added protection.

2. Electronic Keypad Issues

You may have tried keying your lock combination. Your input may be wrong, or the wheels behind the lock are not aligned.

3. Door Hinge Problems

Have you observed a dragging sound when you open your gun safe? It might become worse if you ignore it.

Your Cannon gun safe may have worn-out door hinge pins. Or some guns or accessories may have leaned on the door and are putting pressure on it.

4. Battery Failure

There are a few possibilities that could be causing the issue. It’s possible that your battery has already run out of charge or you replaced it with an expired one. Additionally, you may have been using a battery that isn’t recommended for your device.

5. Deactivated Code

You may have entered the wrong key code several times. The Cannon gun safe’s lock-out mode lasts for about five minutes.

5 Tips for Troubleshooting a Cannon Gun Safe

Some models have backup keys, but others don’t. Here are five tips for troubleshooting a Cannon gun safe:

1. Check the Battery

The battery compartment is a part of the keypad, which is outside of the safe. You can check the battery and replace it even if it dies.

Pull the battery plug-in, disconnect it, and then connect the new battery.

Cannon recommends bi-annual changing of batteries. They also suggest using a 100% alkaline, no lithium, Duracell, or Energizer battery with a longer life span.

If you worry about your combination, it is stored through the locking mechanism’s memory, thus remaining the same.

2. Test the Lock Mechanism

Try to manage and turn the handle to the right. Keep your hand that way as you enter the code, and then turn the handle to the left. If it beeps twice, your safe door should open.

If the gun-safe handle spins and is not latching, tighten the screw on the handle’s pivot using a 5mm Allen Wrench.

If it still fails, remove the screws to remove the whole handle and reinstall it. Ensure you have put them back in correctly, in the same spots you removed each part.

If you open the gun safe, keep it open and test the locking mechanism twice before closing it.

3. Inspect the Door Hinge

Check for door gaps and dangling door rubbers.

If your gun safe has served you for long years, its door hinges are likely not responding to the original grease anymore.

The best way to deal with this problem is to call Cannon customer service. Refrain from drilling through your safe to have these fixed all by yourself.

When this gets fixed properly, make sure to also clear your safe’s door from any pressure brought by leaning guns and accessories inside.

4. Reset the Electronic Keypad

You must have your user manual specific for your Cannon gun safe type. Skim for steps to reset a combination.

Refrain from pushing buttons while the battery connects, or the timer will reset, wait for five minutes.

Cannon is not responsible for lost codes. It has a 30-day warranty for combinations, though. Try contacting them for possible help.

5. Use an Override Key

Some Cannon gun safe has an override key. This may look friendly for anticipated electronic lock failures but lessens the unit’s security .

For mindful keeping of gun-safe keys, there are 10 best places to hide your key .

The keyhole is located behind the gun safe’s keypad. If your unit has an override key, skim through the user manual for the proper steps to successfully open the safe.

Cannon’s warranty is limited. It does not cover lost or forgotten key passes, improper opening procedures, and failed batteries.

This is a reminder to prevent you and your frustration from drilling into the safe.

Check your Cannon gun safe warranty details, coverage, terms, and dates, to help you manage your expectations. Then, call their customer service to affirm coverage and to ask for advice.

It is also recommended to record a video displaying your concern and observations. Make close-up recordings of the parts of your gun safe.

Doing that will help Cannon assess your problem and provide you with remote aid.

Being locked out of a gun safe is common to gun owners. But with proper information, you can solve it without bringing your gun safe into a worse state.

Why is my Cannon safe not opening?

Malfunctioning locks, electronic keypad issues, door hinge problems, battery failure, and deactivated code are five common reasons a safe fails to open.

What do you do when an electronic safe doesn’t open?

Check for possible problems. Check your gun safe batteries, test its lock mechanism, inspect the door hinges, reset the electronic keypad, or use an override key.

Why is my safe beeping and not opening?

Chances are the wheels behind the locking mechanism are not aligned.

How long does Cannon safe lock-out mode?

Cannon gun safe lock-out mode lasts for five minutes.

Woods, Matt. “Locked out of Your Safe? 3 Things Not to Do!” Www.acmelock.com , www.acmelock.com/blog/locked-out-of-your-safe-3-things-not-to-do .

“About Cannon Safes.” Www.gunsafes.com , www.gunsafes.com/About-Cannon-Safes.html .

Hey, I'm Larry B. Smith, the guy behind Rainier Ballistics. From a lifelong love of firearms, I've become a recognized authority in the field. As the main contributor, I share insights for all shooters, connecting technical know-how with the everyday experiences of gun enthusiasts. Let's explore the world of firearms together!

Top 4 Reasons Your Gun Safe Is Beeping (How to solve them)

If you are reading this article, you are likely running into a beeping sound from your gun safe! In this article, we will go through all the reasons your safe may be beeping so you can quickly resolve it.

Beeping from your gun safe can result from many different factors. However, the most common are:

Dead batteries.
Incorrect codes being entered.
A time delay is activated.
Tamper alert is activated.

So, with that said, let’s get into each reason and get you helped out!

Jump to your concern:

1. beeps every once in a while when you are not using it.

This is the most common reason someone might need clarification about why their safe is beeping at them. If you find that your safe beeps occasionally, it likely is because your 9V battery is starting to die, and it is letting you know that you need to replace it.

To replace the battery (in most gun safes), you have to push upwards on the base of your electronic keypad, and it will pop off. This will reveal the 9V battery behind the keypad, where you will replace the battery, very much like a smoke detector in your home.

So, how often should you change your batteries? I recommend changing your batteries every time you change the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 to 12 months or so. If you let your safe get to the point that it has to beep at you, you are waiting too long.

Remember, if you use your safe a lot, or hardly at all, it will change how often your battery will last.

Please note: Your electronic lock can detach from the safe, which may be a surprise. However, all the locking mechanism portions of the lock are on the safe’s interior. They are away from anyone that may want to break into your safe.

2. Beeps when you press electronic lock buttons

Almost every electronic lock will beep from the factory when you press buttons. This is generally to let you know that you have successfully pressed a button, and it was registered.

This lets you catch if you did something incorrectly before continuing with your code sequence. You can turn this beeping off, but we’ll talk about that later in the article!

3. Beeps after inputting the code, but the safe won’t open.

If your safe beeps several times after you attempt to put in your electronic lock code, and the safe won’t open. This generally means that you are either using an incorrect code or accidentally pressing the wrong buttons during the sequence.

I recommend trying your input more carefully to see if you are pressing the wrong buttons or if you should think about if you have recently changed your code.

I do recommend writing down the code that you use for your gun safe; however, never keep it close to the safe, and never label the code as your “gun safe code,” so it will be more difficult for someone to know what they are looking at if your code is discovered.

If you input your code incorrectly too many times in a row, you may go into a lock-out mode (aka time delay). This will lock you out of the safe for a specific time (generally 20 minutes). This will be evident by angry beeping after inputting your code and the safe not opening.

4. Your safe is beeping after you move it.

This is a good thing! Many newer, smart pistol safes offer tamper alerts. This means that if a child picks it up or a thief tries to take it away, it sounds an alarm with a beeping sound. Some, safes like Vaultek’s safes (which can be found on my favorite gun safes article) , will even notify your phone to let you know it is being tampered with.

Can you turn off the beeping on a gun safe?

While you can’t turn off some beeping functions on most safes, you can turn off the beeping sound when you actively press buttons on the safe.

This differs widely depending on the safe and the brand you purchased . Most safes will show you step-by-step how to do this in the user manual, or you can always call the manufacturer.

Generally speaking, you turn off the beeping by inputting a specific code sequence into the pad, which will disable the beeping.

So why would you want to turn off the beeping? While the beeping is helpful to let you know a successful input, it is also a sound that might alert anyone in the home of your presence that you may not want. This is up to you and the purpose of your safe. If it is for self-defense storage, you should disable it. If it is strictly for storage, then the beeping is quite helpful.

What should I do if I can’t stop the beeping?

So you read this article thoroughly, tried different things, and still can’t get your safe to stop beeping? That is where a locksmith is going to come into play. Locksmiths will work directly with the manufacturer of your gun safe to troubleshoot the issue on your safe. They will help by repairing any problems that have arisen and more.

If the safe is too damaged, it is possible they may have to drill and repair your safe to get it opened. Only certified locksmiths will be able to do this, though, as not just anyone can gain access to the information needed to do this effectively.

Beeping sounds from your gun safe are generally nothing to worry about and can be a helpful indicator that you need to change your batteries or that you might be pressing the wrong buttons during your input sequence. In some cases, you can disable the beeping by following a specific code input.

Ultimate Guide to Gun Safe Inner Steel Liners (Upsides & Downsides)

Everything To Know About Purchasing The Right Size Safe For You

--> What to Try When Your Safe Combination is Not Working

Last Updated on September 25, 2023

Dial Safe Won’t Open Using the Combination

Your safe combination has stopped working. You are certain it’s the correct combination but for some reason the combination will not open the safe. This article is for you, read on. If you’ve LOST the combination to your safe, checkout our video on YouTube “ How to Get Into a Safe When You Don’t Have the Combination .” That video will guide you on your options, and what you will need to do in order to get in.

When a safe won’t open with the combination first try relieving pressure on the bolt work of the safe and check for a loose screw in the handle. If that does not open safe open, test for wear on the dial (a.k.a “drift”). Call a locksmith for serious safe failures (such as broken mechanical linkage in the door or a re-locker that has been thrown). In all but the most serious cases, you will be able to open the safe on your own.

What to Do When Your Safe Combination is Not Working

The most common reason a combination safe won’t open.

First, be sure you are dialing the combination correctly. If it has been a while since you last opened the safe check out our article on How to Dial a Safe Combination . Believe it or not, this is the most common reason we see for a safe not opening with the combination.

Safe Combination Drift – When to Dial Up / Dial Down the Safe Combination

When is the last time you had your safe dial serviced? Dials, like all mechanical parts, need servicing to stay in great condition. If it’s been years since the dial was serviced, or if the dial was hit in some one, then it’s very possible that the dial has drifted.

Safe combination drift is when the numbers of the combination no longer match the numbers that the dial needs to be turned to in order to open the safe. Combination drift can occur in both the up or downward direction. When a safe combination has drifted, the safe will act like the combination was not entered correctly and the safe’s handle will not turn at all.

The recommended course of action is to try the combination by adding one digit to each number. If that doesn’t work, try to add two digits. If that doesn’t work, then try subtracting one digit for each number in the safe’s combination, and then two digits if that did not work. For extra granularity, our locksmiths try this process using 1/2 digits (so 25 1/2 – 35 1/2 – 45 1/2) in our example above.

It is not necessary to go more than two two digits as safe combinations will not drift more significantly unless the dial has been damaged beyond the ability to dial the combination all together. If this works, and you can open the safe, IMPORTANT: Hire a local locksmith to come out and service the dial. Thought you may be able to use the new combination for a period of time to open the safe, it will drift again and possibly fail all together, resulting in the safe needing to be drilled.

Safe Won’t Open Because the Safe Bolt Work is Jammed

One of the most common causes of jammed bolt work, and the easiest to fix, is over stuffing the safe. Another thing that can happen is that something falls down into one of the bolt holes at the bottom of the safe.

When the safe has been over stuffed, the bolts can get stuck in place. The handle will either not turn or will turn part way before stopping.

You can check for this issue by seeing if your safe’s door has a jiggle in it when you pull/push on the handle. Most safes will, and it should. If it does not, try:

Pressing inward on the bottom of the safe’s door with your foot while gently pulling on the handle as you turn it.
Shaking the handle back and forth rapidly to loosen the bolts, the turn the handle.
With a rubber mallet, hit the edges of the safe door (not the dial or the handle – where the bolts go into the safe’s frame at the edge of the door).

If this methods don’t work to open the safe door, a local safe locksmith may be required.

Safe Handle Screw Has Loosened

Don’t confuse this with clutched safe handles. A clutched safe handle is one that will spin under considerable force but not open a locked safe. They were designed this way on purpose. One way someone can try to break into a safe is by hitting the handle very hard in hopes of breaking the locking mechanism in the safe so that the bolts can be then be retracted. Clutch safe handles prevent this because they will spin with enough force so that nothing on the inside of the safe can be damaged.

If you have to put significant pressure on the handle to get it to spin, it is not a loose securing screw.

When You’ll Need to Drill Open the Safe

Good safes have good bolt work, bad safes–the safe you buy at big box stores–have inferior linkages. We’ve seen safes at big box stores holding the bolt work together with a very thing strip of aluminum. Check out this video of me showing the crappy quality of a big box store safe at a very popular big box store.

Poor Quality of a Big Box Store Safe

You can just see the top of that thin aluminum rod used to extract and retract the bolt work in that video. The door bolt work in inexpensive safes is often just spot welded together and breaks easily. Better quality safes secure the bolt work together with bolts. This way during routine safe service, everything can be tightened up if necessary.

If the mechanism to retract the bolts has broken, then there is only one way to get into the safe. A local safe cracker (safe locksmith) will need to come out and drill the safe to force the bolts to retract and get the safe open. For cheap safes, it is often better to just break into the safe and buy a new one than hire a safe locksmith to do a professional opening and repair. It just depends on the value of the safe.

Safe Relocker Has Fired

Most quality safes come with something called a relocker. It is a device that fires a locking pin in order to lock the safe door in place when the safe has undergone some sort of hit. We see this a lot after a safe has been moved to another location. Sometimes they are dropped or hit by a fork lift. It takes a bit to fire off a relocker, but it does happen.

When the relocker has been thrown, the only way to open the safe is to drill out the exact spot that the relocker is securing the safe. This has to be done by a licensed safe cracker / safe locksmith as they know the exact spot (the drill point) that needs to be drilled out. Safe manufacturers guard that information very closely.

The better built the safe, the more relockers it will have and it’s possible that several spots will need to be drilled.

When a locksmith drills a safe he is then able to repair the safe so that it can continue to be used. Drill holes are plugged with cut steel rods to plug the holes and the safe manufacture can send touch up so that the drill point will very nearly be invisible if a relocker had to be drilled out.

More of Our Favorite Security Products

See our Amazon Store for Videos an d Links to All of Our Favorite Security Products.

Door Armor: Reinforce your doors. This video on YouTube shows the installation of Door Armor , and you can buy the product direct from Door Armor at a great price.

Video Doorbells : This video doorbell offers great images and video and has NO monthly video storage fees. Watch our SkyBell Video Doorbell Review on YouTube and buy it on Amazon .

Smart Locks: Access Your Locks via Smart Phone. You’ll find some of our favorite smart locks that allow you to control home access and monitor entry in our Amazon Smart Lock Shop . Watch our Smart Lock Comparison Video on YouTube fore reviews of the most popular Smart Locks.

High Security Safes: When you want a safe that is designed to protect the valuable you put inside, you want a high security safe found on ACME Locksmith’s Safes for Sale website.

Sliding Glass Door Lock: The best arcadia door lock that stops your sliding glass door from being lifted out of it’s tracks and to prevent little ones from opening the door and leaving the home. Check out the video on YouTube and Buy it on our website .

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Locked out of your gun safe? Here’s what to do.

If you’re like us, you may still have the occasional nightmare about forgetting the combination to your middle-school locker. It’s stressful and scary, but then you wake up and everything is okay. Unfortunately, there’s a similar situation that happens to many gun safe owners at least once in their lifetimes: Being locked out of their safe.

Reasons you may be locked out of your gun safe and how to fix them.
How to get into your gun safe if you’re locked out (some things to try).
Buy a Liberty Safe and we will provide support if you are locked out of your safe.

It’s frustrating, scary, and nerve-racking, but getting locked out of your gun safe doesn’t have to be a disaster if you stay calm and follow the tips we’re going to provide in this article. Also, don’t feel bad if you get locked out of your safe. It happens to the best of us. Let’s go over some reasons you might get locked out of your safe, and then we’ll talk about some things to try before you call a professional locksmith . (Pro tip: if you have a Liberty safe, call us first .)

Reasons you may be locked out of your gun safe and how to fix them

Believe it or not, many people get locked out of their safes, either for a few minutes, a few hours, or until they call a licensed, qualified safe expert or locksmith to help them open it. There are a lot of silly articles on the internet promising that you can open your gun safe without calling a locksmith, but in general, these articles are usually full of incorrect, irrelevant, and/or potentially harmful advice. For example, you should never break out a hammer and chisel and try to open your safe, or drill any holes in it, particularly if you value it and want it to last.

Depending on the type, manufacturer, design, and age of your safe, there are a few potential reasons why you may be locked out of your safe. Let’s go over some of the most common.

This is very common for owners of key-locked safes, lock boxes, gun cabinets , handgun vaults , and similar storage devices. Obviously, a key-locking safe is only secure if it’s locked, and it’s only convenient if you keep the key in a safe place, but somewhere you can access it when you need to. Many times, owners will hide their key in a location where they think they’ll easily remember, but after a few weeks or months, it slips their minds. Or they may keep their key on a key ring with their car or house keys, and then misplace the entire key ring.

Forgot the combination to a mechanical dial safe lock

You may also have a combination dial that has a keyed lock to secure the dial itself, to prevent people from trying to open the safe. If you remember the combination, but you forgot where you put your key and the dial is locked, you’re in a bit of a pickle.

The digital keypad is not working (or you forgot the code)

The electronic/digital keypad on some safes can potentially fail, as can all electronic devices. Generally, they are very reliable, but nothing is flawless. On some handgun vaults or smaller safes, they may not have a numeric keypad but rather a series of buttons or plungers that you must press in a specific order or a specified number of times. These also can theoretically become worn or otherwise fail.

By far the most common way people get locked out of their gun safes with digital combination keypads is they either forget to try installing a new battery, forget the entry code, or forget that they have changed the code to a new one. Yes, we have done this.

Can you open a gun safe without keys?

Depending on what kind of keyed-lock safe you have, the answer here is both yes and no. ANY safe can be opened without keys, if you have enough time and the right tools. You’ll likely destroy the lock and/or safe in the process, but it’s doable. The really relevant question you should be asking is not whether you CAN open a gun safe without the key, but SHOULD you. Some cheaper safes and gun cabinets with keyed locks can be easily picked by someone who knows what they’re doing, or in some cases, even by screwdrivers, butter knives, or similar tools. Obviously, this level of security is not ideal for storing firearms, but some people choose to employ this type of storage device for various reasons.

If you have a cheaper keyed locking device on your gun safe, and can’t find the key, we’d recommend you first contact a locksmith , unless it’s not economically feasible. If you pick, drill, or force the lock and get your gun safe open, we recommend learning from your mistake and investing in a better safe from Liberty with a more secure lock, and taking more precautions against losing your key/combination in the future. After all, if you can get into your safe without using the key, so can someone else.

How to get into your gun safe if you’re locked out (some things to try)

So, if you find you can’t get into your gun safe, don’t panic. Here are some things to try (and NOT to try) first, before you call a locksmith or your safe company.

Change the battery. If your safe has an electronic or digital lock, the first thing you should do is change the battery. This is usually very simple and you should be doing it every 6 to 12 months anyway. If you’re not sure how, check your manual, or call the manufacturer if you need help. Even if you've changed the battery within the past few weeks, buy a new, fresh battery and install it. Sometimes the mechanism that moves the locking bolt can become sticky or worn, particularly if you haven’t had the safe cleaned and maintained, and a fresh, new battery can help provide the extra power it needs to click into the right place.

Also, don’t worry about your entry code being “forgotten” if you remove the battery or it’s completely dead. Electronic locks store codes in what is called “non-volatile memory” that holds onto the combination codes that you have programmed into your lock. In fact, your electronic lock’s memory can retain your codes for up to 10 years after your battery is dead or removed.

Reset to factory settings. Another thing to try if you have a digital keypad is to try resetting the keypad to factory settings. Depending on your safe’s manufacturer, you may have been provided a card with a master entry code, or there may be instructions included in your manual for resetting your digital keypad to factory settings that may open your safe in an emergency. Of course, this only works if your manual/card isn't locked inside the safe, and if your type of lock allows this action.
Wait half an hour and try again. Many digital keypad safes have an automatic lockout feature if someone tries to enter the wrong code too many times. If you’ve entered a code several times and it’s still not working, avoid entering it again until you’ve waited at least half an hour. If it still doesn’t open and you’re absolutely sure you’re entering the correct code, try tip #1 (above) if you haven’t already done so.
DO NOT try to force the handle to make the safe open. You may be tempted in your frustration to try to forcibly turn the safe’s handle to open the safe. Don’t do it. On most quality safes, the handles are specifically designed to “strip” or break away to prevent forcible entry. All you’ll do is cause damage.
Take a break to calm down and think. This may seem like a silly tip, but it works in a lot of cases. Calm down, go do something else for a while, and try really hard to remember if you've changed the combination recently (or, in the case where you’ve misplaced your key, think about all the places you might have stored it). We've had several occasions where people changed/updated their entry code to a new one and then forgot that they did it, and tried to use their old code to get into their safe. If you change your code on a regular basis, and you remember or have a list of your codes, try your previous two codes. Allow time in between attempts so the automatic lockout feature doesn't activate.
Try using a hair dryer on mechanical dial locks to warm it up. Sometimes old lubricating oil can congeal or oxidize and harden, sticking tumblers in place. Warming it up can sometimes help. Don’t use a heat gun or any sort of torch or flame . Just use a hair dryer, and of course, be aware that the dial will get quite warm to the touch. If this tip works and you get your safe open, be sure to have your safe’s mechanism professionally cleaned and lubricated before you lock it again.
If your safe is keyed, use your backup key. Think hard about whether you made or hid a backup key somewhere when you first got your safe. Sometimes people forget that they had a spare key made, or that their safe came with an extra set of keys.
When all else fails, call a professional. If you have a Liberty safe, the first thing you should do is call customer support if you find you’re locked out of your safe. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, and have helped a lot of people get into their Liberty safes. If you don’t yet own a Liberty safe, consider calling a local, licensed safe professional or locksmith. It will cost a little money, but usually less than the damage you can cause by trying to open your safe yourself when you’re locked out.
Regularly maintain your gun safe and have a backup plan to prevent lockouts. Finally, have your safe inspected and professionally serviced at least once every 5 years, and more often if you use it frequently. Write down your combination in a secure location, and make a backup key and store it somewhere you won’t forget.

Buy a Liberty Safe and we will provide support if you are locked out of your safe

Along with your lifetime warranty, when you buy a USA-made Liberty safe , you get our top-rated customer service as well. If for any reason you find you can’t get into your Liberty safe, call us and we’ll do everything we can to help you get it open.

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Very sturdy quality, well manufactured with good options.

I bought 2 of these one for inside .. one for outside. they seem to work great. the humidity level inside the safe is quite a bit lower than the outside with 1 peet dehumidifier and 1 rod dehumidifier. well pleased with product !!

It’s every thing you said is was I am very pleased with the product and will be ordering another one.

USA 30. Beautiful construction and really appreciate the fire resistance rating. Exactly the right size for my needs. Now please just keep my safe info private. Thank you!

Fits my Revere 64 safe well. I have WiFi and Bluetooth temp/humidity sensors on the inside and noticed an increase in stability with both sets of sensors. I believe this cover will also extend the life of my VCI emitters. Plus, it helps conceal the fact it’s a safe to anyone who casually sees it. I recommend it based on my experience.

This is an amazing safe. So well built and worth every penny. I hesitated many years before upgrading to a safe with this level of quality construction. Do not hesitate!

I love the hangers they fit secure and the plastic coating does not harm my handguns ! they work well with my somewhat heavy 1911's

the 18" rod does a good job at reducing humidity . I have a liberty gauge both inside and out. It does the job !!

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Safe Won’t Open? What To Do When You Are Locked Out Of Your Safe

When a safe won’t open, it could be for any number of reasons. But the goal is always the same. You need to know what to do to get back inside your locked safe. There are many things that people don’t know about safes , but what you can do when your safe won’t open always remains the same. There is a bit of information that you will need to gather so that you are better prepared to regain access to your locked safe. And at any point, you can choose to call a locksmith to assist you. But here is what you need to do when you are locked out of your safe.

Ways to open your safe :

Safe Bouncing
Lock Overrides
Manipulation
Violent Entry

Determine Your Type of Safe

Knowing what type of safe you have is incredibly important to find out what your next step is. In cases where you are looking to open your locked safe yourself, you can’t find the relevant information when all you know is, “my safe won’t open.” If you know the brand name, even this can help you when you’re locked out of your safe.

The brand name of the safe is often quite easy to find. Most likely there will be a company logo on the front door of the safe. However, sometimes the logo will not include the name of the manufacturer, instead, it may just have some form of decal or illustration. But most will have large painted letters spelling out the company’s name.

If your safe won’t open, and there is no clear brand name, the next step is to look for any type of purchasing information. If that cannot be found, you can take a look at the type of construction and size of the safe. There is a chance that a safe won’t open because it is not a safe at all, rather it is a lockbox. Lockboxes and safes are two different devices , but either can be accessed by a professional.

This leads me to the final bit of advice. If you do not know what type of safe you are dealing with, call a safe locksmith . Just tell them that, “my safe won’t open”, and your job is as good as done. They will diagnose the issue and make sure that you are not locked out of your safe a moment longer than necessary.

What can I do if my Sentry safe won’t open?

Most Sentry safes can be opened with quick and simple methods such as bouncing, magnet manipulation, and probing. Most safe models made by Sentry can be opened non-destructively. Continue reading for insights on bouncing and probing, but be sure to call a locksmith if you cannot get the method to work or do not have the appropriate tools.

How do I open a Winchester safe when I’m locked out?

Winchester Safes have a process you can follow to request your lost combination directly from the company. If you are locked out for any other reason, you will need a locksmith. Whether you have a gun safe or a home/office safe, Winchester uses Sargent and Greenleaf mechanical and digital locks. These are some of the most secure commercial safe locks that exist and cannot be opened with easily learned trick and bypass tactics. To protect the integrity of your Winchester safe, contact a safe locksmith.

Why Are You Locked Out?

Sure, your safe won’t open, but that is the symptom, not the diagnosis. To get back into your locked safe, the precise nature of the safe lockout has to be uncovered. A professional will, of course, be able to tell you why your safe won’t open. However, if you are looking to find out for yourself, you may need to troubleshoot the issue.

The reason may be quite straightforward. If the safe uses a key, and you broke the key off in the lock, all you need to do is remove the broken key . After that, you will most likely need to have a new key made to see if the safe won’t open still. Or perhaps your electronic lock ran out of batteries and you cannot use the code to open it.

Similarly, if you know that you have forgotten the combination or code to the safe, then you know your safe won’t open. In cases like this, you can check the safe literature to see if there is a reset code that you can perform without opening the safe. The chances of this are slim, and if this method of entry works, you should look into getting a more secure safe. In the likely chance that your safe won’t open by these means, there will be more work to be done.

Other issues such as detached bolt work, or jammed internals, can be assessed when you try to move the safe handle to unlock the device. You know the safe won’t open, but if the handle spins as it should, then there is an issue with the bolt work of the door. The bolts may also be jammed if the handle will just not move far enough, but does still move.

What do I do if the batteries for my safe die?

For lower-end safes such as Sentry safes, the company has a list of all the ways to replace the batteries when they die . Most electronic locks for safes will have similar modes of replacing batteries. When it comes to higher-end safe manufacturers, they are likely to use SG (Sargent and Greenleaf) which has a removable battery compartment at the bottom of the dial.

What is lock-out mode on Cannon safe?

Lock-out mode for Cannon safes lasts for five minutes . During this time you cannot open the safe. This is a security feature that prevents unauthorized users from using brute force to guess the combination. Users experience this when they incorrectly input their combination several times.

1. Safe Bouncing

If you have made the mistake of purchasing a substandard safe from any of the companies that security experts don’t recommend , or invested in a product that is fire resistant but not burglary resistant, you may be able to bounce your safe. If your cheaply built safe won’t open by the proper means, it may still open this way. Look at the different types of safes , to get a better idea of what type of protection you have.

This method of entry is the most basic form of safe entry, but it can only be used on safes with functioning bolt work. If your safe won’t open, due to an issue with you forgetting or not having access to the combination, a broken key, or a battery that has died in your digital lock, then it can be assumed that your bolt construction is intact.

To bounce a safe :

Strike the top of the vault while turning the handle simultaneously.
If the safe won’t open, repeat.

This act works similarly to a bump key. The internal components of the locking mechanism are temporarily oriented to their proper opening position, as the bolt work in the door jumps from the sudden impact. This is not a professional method of entry, but it does take some practice. However, if the safe won’t open, then it may be too heavy or too well made. This method not working is a good sign that you have a quality safe.

Safe bouncing tips :

Works only on cheap/light safes.
The safe does not need to be struck hard enough to be dented.
Though this is non-destructive, it can harm the lock assembly if done repeatedly.

2. Lock Overrides

Overrides are installed very frequently in smaller safes with electronic keypads. If your safe is the type of product that you would see used as a hotel safe, then there is a good chance that there is an override procedure. The reason for this is that these safes are intended to have their combinations reset. As a result, many motels and hotels have to be able to get inside when a safe won’t open because a guest forgot to leave the door ajar.

Often there is a factory code that comes standard to reset these types of safes without the need to open them. The most common combination is repetitive zeros, the number of which varies, but is often the same number as the safe’s standard combination length. With nothing more than the manufacturer, it is often easy to find this information. If the safe won’t open with the information you get, be sure that you have the right model number. If you do, then there is a chance that the override code has been changed on your device.

Other than code-based pre-installed overrides, there may also be openings on the bottom of the safe if it was not bolted down using every pre-drilled hole. With most electronic safes, there will be a switch on the inside of the door that when flipped, allows the combination to be reset. If you can flip this switch, you can simply reset the combination. Of course, this method can be a little difficult without locksmith tools, such as a borescope. If a safe won’t open due to a dead battery, this will not work.

Safe lock override tips :

Electronic keypads may have manufacturer reset codes.
If you are locked out of a hotel safe, staff will have reset codes.
Some safes have reset switches inside the safe, which can be flipped through pre-drilled holes using probes.

3. Manipulation

Safe manipulation is the type of safe cracking that you see in movies when a safe won’t open. Where a suave gentleman in a black turtleneck will hold his ear to a safe and spin the dial, opening the lock with nothing but his bare hands and a bit of finesse. Unlike in movies, it is less about having a stethoscope, and more about knowledge, practice, and natural talent. This is not a way that you can get back into your own safe unless you are highly trained. And chances are if you have read this far, you are not.

But don’t be discouraged. A professional locksmith can still open your safe this way (as long as there is a combination dial). Manual combination locks are the type of locking mechanism that can be manipulated without harming the safe. This will be necessary if you have purchased a safe or vault from any of the best safe companies . But there are forms of manipulation for when a safe won’t open and simple touch-based manipulation is not enough.

Some manipulation methods require forms of destructive entry, where damage may need to be patched or dial replaced. In cases that demand more serious techniques, a hole will have to be drilled in the safe. Tools and probes will then be inserted to manipulate the bolt work or locking mechanism of the safe door. Of course, a safe accessed in the following way (or by similar methods) will no longer be as secure as it was. But most people will still not be able to exploit the safe via this new hole. And the hole will almost be slightly obscured. If anyone was looking to open your safe illegally in this way, they have only been saved the time it would have taken to drill the hole.

Safe manipulation tips :

Digital combination locks cannot be opened with touch manipulation.
Holes may need to be drilled to assist safe manipulation.
Drilled holes can be patched and do not fully compromise your safe.

4. Violent Entry

In cases when you are saying, “My safe won’t open, and I need to get in now!”, you probably do not have time for the more delicate methods. In this case, you may need to subject your safe to violent entry. This is different from destructive entry, such as drilling a lock, because destructive entry is still less severe. Violent entry methods are for getting in when a safe won’t open, compromising the safe far too much to continue using it after the device is opened.

Another reason that the safe may need a form of violent entry, is because the safe won’t open due to extensive damage. Boltwork may be jammed or entirely broken so that the safe cannot open properly. Said another way, sometimes a safe won’t open, and it is not going to open without being taken apart.

It is of the utmost importance that you do not attempt to use any form of violent entry yourself. These methods may appear to be rather basic, but the use of these tools can be dangerous if you do not understand the construction of your safe. People that try to break in when their safe won’t open by force can severely injure themselves. Leave this work to the professionals.

Safe destructive entry tips :

If a safe cannot be opened because it is broken, violent entry may be the only way to get inside it.
Do not try violent entry methods without a professional present.
A safe opened with violent entry cannot be used after service.

Final Considerations

Now that you know what you can do when you are locked out of your safe, you will never need to say, “My safe won’t open.” You will be able to go about fixing the issue. Never hesitate in any step of the process to reach out to a locksmith. If ever your safe won’t open, there is always someone ready to help. Feel free to call United Locksmith if you need any assistance with opening your safe. We’ll get the job done!

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My Electronic Lock Won’t Open

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Frustrated Your Electronic Lock Won't Open?

So, your electronic lock won’t open? Few things are more frustrating. Whether you’re putting away a new pistol, getting out your hunting rifle or need to access your extra cash, when you need to get into your safe, you need to get in.

Why won’t your safe open? Because not all batteries are created equal.

Battery failure is the most common reason the electronic lock on your gun safe isn’t working properly. Typically this is because the battery is dead. But, your electronic lock might also not be working properly if the battery doesn’t have enough amperage.

As a gun safe technician, I see both of these problems on a regular basis. To ensure the electronic lock on your gun safe keeps functioning properly, here are a few things you need to know.

Just need help getting into your safe? Schedule a maintenance visit.

Troubleshooting Your Electronic Gun Safe

Is your battery dead.

A dead battery is the most common reason an electronic lock won’t open. We encounter this issue at least once a day. To help you avoid this inconvenience, we recommend replacing your battery once a year.

Does Your Battery Have Sufficient Amperage?

Insufficient amperage is the second most common reason an electronic lock won’t open.

YES. You read that right. We’re talking about amperage, not voltage. Why does this matter? Because while voltage and amperage are both measures of electrical current, they measure different kinds of electrical current.

Voltage measures the pressure of electrons flowing. Amperage measures the volume of electrons. In order for your electric lock to function properly, it must get the right voltage and the right amperage.

Testing a battery’s static voltage may give you a reading over 9 volts. However, a battery’s true performance shines when a load is placed on it. The same way your car works harder driving up a hill than on a flat road, different locks place different loads on batteries. How your battery performs under a load is determined by its cell design, chemical make-up, and internal resistance.

Without Sufficient Amperage Your Lock Might Make Noise But Not Open

A battery with the wrong amperage can be deceiving because the keypad can still make noise and appear to work normally. It may also cause the lock to make the wrong combination input beeps or tones. This is typically because the lock is powering down and then back up in the middle of the combination entry sequence.

Which Battery Should You Use in Your Electronic Lock to Get Sufficient Amperage?

We always recommend using Duracell batteries in your electronic lock. In fact, this is the only brand I use when troubleshooting why a safe won’t open. Can it be a pain in the rear to go to the store just for a battery? You betcha — especially if you live in a remote area. But you know what’s worse? Your safe not opening.

It’s important to remember you get what you pay for. Many of the off-brand (aka less expensive) batteries have a lower amperage “output capability” which can make them last longer in certain devices. Unfortunately, this feature causes them to underperform in a device with a high electrical current demand — like a gun safe.

The following are our top picks for electronic lock batteries, in order of preference:

Duracell ProCell
Duracell Quantum
Standard grade Duracell

Electronic Lock Battery FAQs

Do battery expiration dates matter.

Here’s the skinny on expiration dates. They matter. Plain and simple. Typically a 9 volt battery expires 5 years from its manufacture date. So, a battery manufactured this year in 2020 will expire in 2025.

But keep in mind, the ‘extra batteries’ from that brand new pack have the same expiration window. So if you store them in your kitchen drawer until 2022, they will still expire in 2025.

Furthermore, the two-year-old battery you’ve been saving will likely not perform as well. Time can reduce the amperage and the battery’s effectiveness. So, even if it does work in your electric lock, it’s almost guaranteed to only work for a short time.

How Long Should a New Battery Last in My Lock?

With normal use, a new battery with five years until it expires should last 1-3 years. How long your battery lasts depends on the lock you are using and how often you are accessing your safe.

If you are going through batteries more often than this, get in touch with a safe technician right away. You more than likely have something wrong with your safe lock.

Where Should I Buy My Batteries

There is no wrong place to buy a battery for your electronic lock. That being said, I’ve been doing some personal research for this article and have discovered that “new” batteries aren’t always so new.

In fact, a lot of people are selling batteries that aren’t even remotely new. I picked up some batteries in an auto parts store that were four years old. They failed the load test I performed on them right out of the package. I ordered some very reputable batteries off Amazon that I discovered were also 4 years old when they arrived. They barely passed the load test when tested right out of the package.

Moral of the story: Check the expiration date before trusting a battery to power something as important at the electronic lock on your safe.

Why Do My Batteries Not Seem to Last as Long?

Why did your original electronic lock batteries last 5 years and the unused ones, with two years left until they expire, won’t power your lock? There are quite a few variables that determine battery life, longevity, and output. These include:

Cell design and chemical makeup.
Storage environment temperature and humidity conditions.
Battery charge state and condition level when stored.

Very light use on the installed safe lock battery will actually help a battery maintain an extended life. It keeps the cells from degrading in the battery (once this starts at the 60-70% mark, battery life diminishes drastically).

Plus, your electronic lock is getting older. The demands of the lock’s motor/solenoid increase with use and wear under the same premise a starter motor on a car wears out over time with use.

Where Should I Store My Batteries?

We recommend buying batteries as needed. However, we also know you probably don’t want to chuck any extras you have on hand. Generally speaking, storing your batteries in the refrigerator is a bad idea. The humidity levels in the fridge can damage the battery. When you remove the batteries from the refrigerator, the change in temperature between the battery and the ambient room can also attract moisture into the battery. Furthermore, the battery will also not be ready for use until it has warmed up to near room temperature.

If you have any extra batteries, you’ll want to store them in a dry space, at room temperature. This will maximize their life expectancy.

When Do I Need to Replace My Electronic Lock?

As electronic safe locks get older, they put more demand on the locks power supply. Early generation electronic locks have a life expectancy of 6-12 years. (This is units manufactured from the mid 80’s into the 2014-ish range). Newer locks (those manufactured around 2015 or later) are expected to last 12-20 years.

Can I Get an Electronic Lock Installed?

It’s not uncommon to decide you want to switch from a manual to an electric lock, or vice versa. Electronic locks can offer more convenience, especially as individuals age and have difficulty seeing, remembering, and/or keeping a steady hand. In cases such as this, an electronic keypad lock or a Biometric Fingerprint lock are both good solutions.

Electronic Lock Hit List

Always use a Duracell battery with an expiration date five years from the date you are installing it. We strongly recommend Duracell Quantum or Procell batteries.
If you want to test your battery, you need to do so when it’s under a load. A static voltage test won’t tell you if it has enough amperage to support your lock.
Rotate your spare batteries out yearly.
Keep your batteries stored in a dry space at room temperature.
If your lock is struggling to work or going through batteries at a rate of more than one per year, call a safe technician.
Remember you are not stuck! A good safe technician (like the ones at NW Safe *cough cough*) can open any safe and perform any repair. Furthermore, they can do so without leaving any sign of damage in most cases.

Schedule a maintenance visit to make sure your electronic lock keeps functioning properly.

Additional Gun Safe Insights

Store your home defense firearm in a quick access gun safe.

Will you be able to access your firearms quickly when the time comes? Learn why a quick access gun safe is paramount to home defense.

Can You Put a Gun Safe in the Garage?

With the right precautions and maintenance, you can most certainly install a gun safe in the garage. Learn what steps to take.

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Bryan Flintoff

Always appreciate how the staff at NW Safe goes the extra mile for all Their loyal customers. Great local company to do business with.

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Apple Event for New iPads Still Considered 'Unlikely' Following Delays

Apple is "unlikely" to hold an event to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, according to sources cited by Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes .

Instead of an event, it is likely that Apple will announce the new iPads in a press release shared on its website, as it did for the MacBook Air models with the M3 chip in early March. Gurman believes Apple will announce the new iPads by the second week of May , barring any further delays due to production challenges.

Gurman said two factors contributing to the new iPads being delayed were Apple still finishing iPadOS software development for the new iPads, and advanced manufacturing techniques for the OLED displays that the devices will use.

A recap of the iPad-related products that Apple is expected to announce:

Two new iPad Pro models with the M3 chip, OLED displays, a thinner enclosure , thinner bezels , a matte screen option , a landscape-oriented front camera , other design changes, and possibly MagSafe wireless charging .
Two new iPad Air models with the M2 chip and a landscape-oriented front camera , including a first-ever 12.9-inch iPad Air.
A new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with an aluminum enclosure , larger trackpad, and other design tweaks.
A new Apple Pencil , which may have a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions and support visionOS eventually .

It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last released new iPads, so customers have been waiting a long time for updated models to launch. 2023 was the first year in which Apple did not release any new iPads in the device's history.

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Top Rated Comments

The real delay is probably in the marketing department. "How do we sell a device that is barely more capable than the 2018 model in 2024?" MBP/MBA all have high end software that differentiates them from year to year even with small performance gains. On iPad...you really don't have that.

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