How to Open a Digital Safe Without a Key or Combination

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Unlock your electronic safe quickly with this expert guide

Co-authored by Robert Vallelunga and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: October 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Fixing the Keypad
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• Resetting the Combination
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• Breaking In
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• Video
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• Expert Interview

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ARTICLE

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Most digital safes have a key you can use to unlock and open them instead of using the passcode. But what do you do if you lose your digital safe key and there's no power to the keypad? This wikiHow article, featuring tips from locksmith Robert Vallelunga, will walk you through getting back into your digital safe without the key or code, including tips for fixing the keypad, resetting the code, and—if worse comes to worst—breaking in.

Opening a Digital Safe Without a Key

If you forgot the combination to your digital safe, locksmith Robert Vallelunga recommends contacting the manufacturer to request a combination retrieval. If you lost the key, you can order a replacement. If the safe isn't registered, you can try breaking into the safe using a knife, screwdriver, metal saw, or drill.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Restoring Power to the Keypad

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1. 
   1
   Recharge or replace the batteries if you don’t have your override key. Some digital safes have a keypad for your passcode as well as an override key that can unlock the safe. If your electronic keypad has run out of power, and you don’t have your override key, replace the batteries that power the keypad or recharge the keypad.

   • If needed, and if you have registered your safe, you can usually request a replacement key from the manufacturer. For example, if you have a Sentry electronic safe, you can visit their website and provide your safe serial number and proof of identity to get a replacement key.
   • If the keypad is working but you don't remember the combination, jump to Resetting Your Passcode.
2. 
   2
   Look for the battery casing on the keypad and open it up. Search near or on the keypad for the battery casing. It can usually be found on the underside of the keypad. Use your finger to hold the latch and remove the casing to expose the batteries.

   • Some digital safes may require you to remove a small screw to access the battery casing.
   • Check to make sure the battery casing isn’t damaged or that the pieces are not falling out. If so, you may need to take your safe to a professional to have it opened.
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3. 
   3
   Replace the batteries with the same type and voltage. Once you’ve opened the battery casing, take out the existing batteries from their slots. Install the same type of batteries into their slots the same way the previous ones were installed. Then, close the battery case latch.

   • The keypad may light up, or the lights may turn on once you restore power to it.
4. 
   4
   Plug in a power supply connection if your digital safe has one. If your safe has a USB slot or a slot for a power cord, or a 9-volt battery on the keypad, plug in an electrical cord or battery that fits into it. Allow the keypad to charge for at least 10 minutes before you try to access the safe so it has a chance to build up a power reserve.

   • If your safe has a USB charging port, it will accept any USB charging cord.
   • Your safe may have a specific power cord used to charge the keypad, but you may be able to find a cord that fits into the charging port.
   • There should be a charging light that comes on or a light behind the keypad that is activated when you plug a power supply into it.
5. 
   5
   Enter your passcode to open your safe once power is restored. Once the keypad has power, try entering your passcode. The locking mechanism will disengage, and you’ll be able to open and access your digital safe.

   • If you’ve forgotten your passcode, try resetting it.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Resetting Your Passcode

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1. 
   1
   Locate the back panel of the electronic element of the safe. Look for small holes or openings on the back or the bottom of the safe. Shine a flashlight through the holes and look inside for the backside of the control panel.

   • There will be wires and electrical components on the back of the control panel.
   • If you're not able to reset the password yourself, Vallelunga recommends contacting the safe manufacturer to ask for a combination retrieval. You'll typically be asked to verify your identity with a photo ID that matches your safe registration.
   • If you did not register the safe, Vallelunga explains that a locksmith will need to get involved. "Most manufacturers will require that you use a locksmith service to verify your identity and ownership," he says. "They will provide the combination to a locksmith, who will charge a fee for the ownership verification and their time."
2. 
   2
   Insert a wire coat hanger through one of the holes of the safe. Take a wire coat hanger, unwind it, and straighten it out so it’s a long, thin wire. Slide the end of the wire hanger into 1 of the openings so you can access the control panel.

   • Be careful not to jam the wire hanger into the opening, or you could potentially damage the electronic keypad and be unable to reset it.

   Tip: If you don’t have a wire coat hanger, or if the opening is too small for one, use a small, stiff wire that is long enough to reach the control panel.
3. 
   3
   Press the reset button on the inner keypad of the safe. Using your flashlight to guide the wire, look for the reset button on the backside of the control panel. It should be a small, black button with the word “Reset” next to it. Push the button with the end of the hanger.

   • You may hear a beeping sound or the control panel may light up when you press the reset button.
4. 
   4
   Enter a new passcode on the front of the keypad. Once you’ve pressed the reset button, you’ll be able to enter a new passcode on the front of the keypad. Type in a code that you know you’ll remember on the keypad.

   • Write down the code or save it in your phone so you won’t lose it!
5. 
   5
   Confirm the new code by pressing the set button next to the reset. Shine the flashlight through one of the openings and look for a button next to the reset button labeled “Set.” Press the button with the end of your wire to confirm the new passcode that you entered.

   • The control panel may beep or light up after you confirm the code.
   • The set button may not be labeled, or it may have a checkmark on the front of the panel.
6. 
   6
   Open the safe by entering your new passcode. Remove the wire from the safe and enter your new code into the control panel on the front of the safe. Then, open up your safe after the locking mechanism is disengaged.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Solutions

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1. 
   1
   Insert a knife into the keyhole and shake it to pop the lock open. If you were unable to reset the combination or gain access otherwise, Vallelunga says you'll need to break in. However, the cost of a locksmith might be prohibitive–especially if the safe is inexpensive and doesn't contain priceless items. For that reason, you may want to try breaking into the safe yourself. If your digital safe has a keyhole, stick the pointed tip of a sturdy knife into it. Shake and wiggle the knife to force the locking mechanism to disengage. Then, open the door of the safe.

   • Shaking the lock open will more likely work for cheaper safes.
   • This solution may work well on a combination key and digital keypad safe.
2. 
   2
   Insert a screwdriver into the keyhole and turn it to break the lock. Place the safe on a flat surface and insert a flathead screwdriver into the keyhole. Rotate the screwdriver counterclockwise over and over until you hear or feel the locking mechanism break open. Then, remove the screwdriver and open the safe.

   • You may not be able to lock the safe again after damaging the locking mechanism with a screwdriver.
3. 
   3
   Cut through the safe. A professional locksmith will usually use a high-powered metal saw to cut through the safe, then pull the safe open using a pry bar. If you have a good saw, you can give this a try. However, this can damage the contents inside the safe, so it's not without risk. It's best to contact a professional if you decide to cut into the safe.
4. 
   4
   Drill through the override key slot as a last resort. If all else fails, take a power drill and attach a drill bit strong enough to drill through metal. Drill through the key slot on the safe until you penetrate all the way through, which will disable the locking mechanism. You can then open the safe door.

   Note: Drilling through the safe may be difficult to do and could damage your power drill.
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