There’s many reasons that your safe might not open properly – however, if you are experiencing this frustrating phenomenon, you’re 100% working towards the goal of getting the damn thing back open again! Here’s Top Locksmith’s guide for safe lockouts.
What kind of safe do you have?
The first step to do when you’re locked out of your safe is to determine exactly what kind of safe you have. Look for company logos on the front of the safe. If you can’t find this information, look to see if you have any purchase records like receipts for the safe. If this can’t be found, inspect the safe’s size and construction method – there’s a likely chance that it truly is not a safe, but is a lockbox (but in either case, they can be opened by a licensed professional like those at Top.) If you still can’t figure it out, just call a professional – they will be able to.
Why are you locked out?
Did you accidentally break off the key in the lock? Did your electronic lock run out of batteries, or did the power go out? Did you lose or forget the code combination? In that case, there might be a reset code in the included manual or receipt (which is an indicator that you could really use a more secure safe!) Other mechanical issues include broken bolts or jammed up internal components in the safe handle. If the handle is spinning like the safe is open but it still won’t it’s likely a bolt issues.
Access Methods
Safe Bouncing
If this method works, you should have bought a more secure safe. Basically, in order to bounce a safe, simply strike the top of it while turning the handle at the same time – a motion akin to bumping akey. It will temporarily shock the interior components of the safe into their opening position. The maneuver requires a bit of elbow grease and practiced technique – and any self respecting safe should be able to resist it – but it can work on sub standard or shoddy safes.
Overriding the Lock
Override options often exist in small electronic keypad safes – such as hotel room safes that are intended for combination code reset. Sometimes, there’s a factory standard code that can be input to reset the safe – which is often a series of repeating zeros. Make sure to consult the manufacturer to get the correct reset code for your exact model of safe. There might also be openings on the bottom of the safe if it was not properly bolted down that might allow you to access a combination reset switch on the inside of the door – which is a difficult task akin to opening a car door with a wire hanger, but is technically possible. If a safe is not working due to an empty battery or power outage, these methods will not work.
Safecracking
This is a difficult task which most people can’t do. However professional locksmiths can open your safe this way as long as the safe is fit with a dial combination lock. For the most part, these methods won’t harm the safe. However if your safe doesn’t have a combination lock, there’s external manipulation based safecracking methods which may harm the safe – but not so direly that it will need to be completely replaced. These methods include drilling a hole into it, and inserting thin tools to manipulate its interior components – which obviously compromises its security, but then again, that’s kind of the point.