How To Change Combination Locks
To know how to change a combination lock, you must know
general information. From there, you should know what type of blockage you are
dealing with. Not only if it is a mechanical or electronic lock, but on what
type of device the combination lock is installed and how that affects what needs
to be done to change the combination lock.
For example, to change a secure, digital or other
combination, it will be different from what you can do with a lock or a door
lock. Variation matters. In fact, it is so important that most of this
information may not be specific enough for your situation. However, this is the
best combination of general and specific information that can be combined.
General tips when changing combination locks
Take your time.
- Open the lock before trying to change the combination.
- You may need a particular type of "reset tool" to change the combination locks.
- If you make a mistake anywhere in the process, wait and try again from the beginning.
- Do not lock the device again until you are sure that the new combination is set.
- After changing a safe combination, unlock the safe 3 times with the new combination before closing the safe door.
- Some safes will require a secure locksmith or other secure technology to change the lock and cannot be changed with simple DIY methods.
- Find the name of your padlock to find specific information on how to change padlock combinations.
What is the combination lock installed?
Combination locks are used in a variety of different
devices. The place where the lock is used will really tell you a bit about it.
For example, it can help you reduce the proper method to change the
combination. Here are some things that are important to change the combination locks
on the following devices.
1. Change safe combination
The most difficult method to change a combination lock is
likely to be found when it comes to safe combinations. The determining factor
for the difficulty will be whether or not the safe combination is digital or
not.
Mechanical dial locks have combination change protocols that
are more varied and often significantly more complex than those of secure
electronic combinations. Unless the safe is already open, a combination of a
lost safe means that you will need assistance to open the safe. This is one of
the many situations in which you will need a locksmith to open your safe.
Search your user manual for a section such as "change
combination" or "how to change the combination lock". If you
don't have your user manual, you can find one online. For a good general /
specific idea, read on.
1. Change the safe combination: manual dialing: if you have
obtained your safe from one of the best safe companies, you probably have a
Sargent and Greenleaf manual mechanical dial. The process of how to change a
secure combination can be a bit complicated, but you can do it yourself as long
as you can find your change key.
- Open your safe.
- With the safe door open, manipulate the dial using the existing combination. However, you will move the numbers to the exchange mark (the mark to the left of the 12 o'clock mark used to open the safe).
- Leave the dialing secure on the last number of your combination.
- Insert your shift key into the keyhole on the inside of the safe door.
- Turn the safety key and do not overtighten the key in the keyway.
- Mark your new combination with the change mark, use the proper rotation process that you would use to open the safe.
- Leave the safe dial on the last number of your new combination.
- Turn and remove the change key.
- Try the new combination several times while the door is still open.
- You can read more about this type of blocking here. If you have an old or old safe, it may require different protocols to change the secure combination. The combination change process is probably a variation of the process described above. However, make sure you know what you are doing or consult a professional before attempting this process.
2. Change the secure combination: Digital: For digital
locks, they will have a reset button or dialing procedure, which moves the
digital keyboard to programming mode. Without changing the digital combination
lock of the safe to programming mode, the lock will only register codes as
attempts to open the safe.
If you do not know the particular protocol that your secure
digital combination lock uses to enter programming mode, call a locksmith or
search for the user's guide. Once you have the safe in programming mode, most
digital locks will need the existing code to use it before you can change the
safe combination.
Most likely, it has an S&G lock (Sargent and Greenleaf)
because most of the safe manufacturers use this brand. The combination change
protocol for S&G digital security locks is as follows:
- When the door is open, press "7", then "4", then "*" (the asterisk button).
- The lock will move to programming mode, but you must still insert the current secure combination and then press "#" (the number button).
- Wait until you have heard five different beeps.
- Indicate that you want to change the safe combination by pressing “1”, then “*” (the asterisk button).
- Enter the new code, then press "#" (the numeral button).
- Wait until you have heard three different beeps.
- Insert the new code a second time, then press "#" (the number button).
- Wait until you have heard three different beeps, this will indicate that both the first code and the second code match.
- The digital lock will now be out of programming mode.
- Before closing your safe, verify that the new combination works as expected.
- You can see more available literature on Sargent and Greenleaf electronic locks, here. For other less complicated electronic security locks, to change a secure combination, you can open the safe, press "0" six times, enter the current code and then enter the new combination twice.
- When none of these processes are working, call a locksmith.
2. Change lock combination
Not all combination locks can change their combination. In
the case of modern combination locks, many companies are incorporating this
feature into new product designs, but for older combination locks, you are
stuck with the combination you came with.
Again, this will vary. To find out if your lock is the
exception to the rule, look for the brand and model number. If you don't have
the model number, you can find it online by searching for images or product
lists of combined locks that have the same brand.
When you can change the combination in your lock, it is
probably a fairly simple process. Because these locks are made for the mass
market, designers want the combination changes to be simple (because that is
what most consumers want). This impairs the security of the padlock, so you
don't see combination locks on the list of the best locks of all time.
To know whether or not you can change a combination in your
lock, much less what the procedure is, use the following process.
- Open your preferred search engine.
- Enter the information you have about your lock.
- Manufacturer's Name
- Combination style.
- Model number.
- Any other information you have about the lock.
- Look for a video or official documentation.
- Make sure that you can visually confirm that the lock you are talking about is the same model as yours.
- Try the method.
- Try not to break the lock while trying to change the combination. Most likely, it is cheap to replace it, but you don't want to leave what you are protecting more vulnerable than it already is.
3. Change door lock combination
A door lock that has a combination will always have a way of
changing the combination. How to change the combination locks on a door lock
(like all other locks) will have a particular process. You will see the
greatest variation in these devices, even for modern locks on the keypad doors.
When it comes to residential door locks, the combination
change process will be less complicated than that of commercial locks. To
change the combinations of door locks in commercial locks, you are more likely
to need a commercial locksmith. You may also need a locksmith at home for a
difficult situation in which you cannot understand how to change a combination
lock.
1. Change the combination lock: mechanical: a mechanical
combination door lock does not work with battery. It will still have buttons
that must be pressed in a certain order, but will work without a power supply.
The standard door lock combination change protocol is as follows:
- Remove the lock, removing it from the door.
- Unlock the lock with the current code.
- Press and hold the reset button for the rest of the steps.
- Remove the back cover of the combination pad.
- There will be two sets of pins with different characteristics.
- Locate the types of pin that are inserted into the slots for existing combination numbers.
- Move the pins to change the combination in the lock.
- Reinstall the back cover.
- Release the reset button.
- Verify that the new combination works.
- Reinstall the lock on the door.
How to change the combination door locks is not restricted
to this method. You are likely to find this type of combination change
protocol, but not necessarily. It is impossible to list the exceptions to this
rule, but if you discover that this is not the way to change the combination
locks on your door, call a locksmith.
2. Change the combination lock: digital: If the digital
combination door lock is a smart lock, there is likely to be a function in your
application that allows you to change the combination. When you have a basic digital combination lock, you need to find your reset protocol.
For many Schlage digital combination door locks, this will
be a code found in the lock manual and / or the interior hardware of the lock.
The programming code can also be reset. The complicated thing about these locks
is how many programming functions there are. It is easy to reprogram the lock in
a way that was not intended.
The Kwikset SmartCode locks become a bit more complicated
and force you to remove the battery and hold the reset button while reinserting
the batteries. You have to wait for the lights to flash. Press the program
button again and then follow the installation protocol, because you have
returned the lock to its factory settings.
If you have difficulty changing the door combination locks,
try to find information about the manufacturer and the model of the lock. If
you cannot or feel overwhelmed at some time during the process, contact a local locksmith.
4. Change briefcase lock combination
Briefcases often use wheel combination locks, where the
numbered wheel will rotate independently. If you don't have the current
combination, don't worry, because this combination lock style only provides the
illusion of security. You may worry that this type of lock is unsafe once you
reopen it.
Decode the combination by inserting a thickness gauge to
discern the pattern, or keep the pressure on the release mechanism and turn
each wheel to find which number is giving the greatest resistance. If these
decoding methods are too new for you, it is probably best to call a locksmith.
When you get the briefcase combination, follow these steps:
- Pull the lock release and hold the lock latch in the unlocked position.
- While maintaining pressure to keep the lock open, turn the wheels to the new combination.
- Relieve the pressure and allow the latch to return to its fully extended position.
- While the briefcase is open and the latch is extended, check if the new combination works.
- Close the case.
5. Change locker combination
The mechanical dial combination locks that are integrated
into the lockers are designed to make changing the combination locks simple and
fast. Because these blockages are used in schools and work environments, it is
very important that you keep detailed records of these changes.
This information does not apply to locker locks where people
bring their own locks. For information on how to change locks on removable
cabinets (which are padlocks), go to section 2 (Change padlock combination).
The most popular type of integrated combination lock are
those manufactured by Master Lock. It is true that Master Lock is one of the low
quality security brands, but they work well for the purpose of locking the
lockers (which are insecure by their nature).
There are two main combination change processes for the
Master Lock built-in lock locks. The first (for older models) requires that:
- Insert the change key and turn clockwise (right) until it stops.
- Move the dial to "0".
- Press a button on the back of the lock hardware.
- While pressing the button, move the dial to the left (left), two marks (up to "48").
- Release the button.
- Turn the key back to remove it.
- Turn the dial to the right (right), until you hear a click.
- Verify that the new combination is the next combination in the series.
- For more modern Master Lock built-in lock locks, it is much faster to change combinations.
- Insert the change key and turn counterclockwise (left), ¼ turn.
- Turn the dial two clicks counterclockwise (left).
- Turn the key back.
- Turn the dial until you hear a click.
Remove the key and check if the combination has changed to
the next in the series.
If you do not have a change code, be sure to call a
locksmith. This process should not be handled without a change key. Choosing
the lock cylinder is not a reliable way to continue changing this style of
locks.
Change the combination lock versus Change the combination of a lock
If you are looking for information on how to change a
combination lock by removing it and using a different locking device, call a
locksmith. This work is not always possible, and it is complicated in cases
where it is feasible. This extreme step can be taken if a combination dial isbroken, or if you want to change a manual dial to a digital combination lock.
When your safe does not open and expect that changing the
combination lock solves this problem, register with a secure locksmith. There
may be a better solution for your combination lock.
Final thoughts
Most combination locks are designed to make it easy to
change the combination. Door locks often have a similar combination change
facility. Only when you reach items such as safes, this work can become quite
complicated. More specifically, mechanical dials in safes will be a very
difficult job. The way to change the combination locks in a safe with
mechanical dials will almost always involve a locksmith.
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