How to Reprogram a Sentry Safe with or without the Factory Code

This article was co-authored by Robert Vallelunga and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Robert Vallelunga is a Locksmith and the Owner of ACME Locksmith in the Phoenix Metro Area. Robert has over 15 years of experience in the industry and specializes in working with automotive ignitions, locks, keys, and master key systems. Robert and the team at ACME are the #1 Rated Phoenix Locksmith Service and the Winner of the Better Business Bureau Ethics Award. Robert has his Residential & Commercial Contractor’s License and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University.

There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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Sentry Safes are great for storing all your valuable personal items and protecting them against water and fire. But if you’ve forgotten your combination or accidentally revealed it to someone, how do you reset it? Luckily, resetting your Sentry Safe’s combination is easy—all you need is your safe’s factory code. Don't have it? We'll cover what to do in that case too. Keep reading to learn how to find your safe’s factory code and reset the combination on popular models like the fire, security, depository, and pistol safes.

Things You Should Know

Look for your safe’s factory code in your owner’s manual. It is either listed on the back of the last page or in the programming instructions.
If you don't have a physical copy, find your safe’s owner’s manual online at Sentry Safe’s website.
If you don’t have your combination or factory code, get a replacement by verifying your ownership of the safe and paying a fee on Sentry Safe’s lost combo page.

Method 1 of 5:

Getting Your Factory or Reset Code

Some Sentry Safes have default codes that open the safe and reset the combination. All Security Safes come with the factory code 1-7-5-0-0-# while all Pistol Safes have the default code 1-2-3-4-1.
If you have a safe with a default factory code, reset it as soon as possible. If you keep the combination as the factory code, anyone can look up the code and open your safe.
Other safes, like the Fire Safe, come with factory codes that are unique to each safe. This code can’t be changed or deleted and always opens your safe.

Or, use Sentry Safe’s model and serial number lookup tool to find exactly where the sticker is and how to read it.

Or, call Sentry Safe’s Customer Care line at 1-800-828-1438.
A replacement code costs $29.95 in the US, $40 in Canada, £19 in the UK, and €21 in most countries in the EU.
It usually takes 7 to 10 days to receive your replacement code.
Sentry Safe also offers key replacements if you’ve lost your safe’s keys.

Depending on your safe model, the panel covering the back of the door might be secured by screws.
If you can’t scan the barcode because it’s covered by gears or other locking mechanisms, simply peel off the sticker.

Advertisement Method 2 of 5:

Resetting the Combination on a Fire Safe

Enter the factory code to open the door. Whenever you change your Sentry Safe’s combination, or user code, open up the door. This prevents you from getting locked out of your safe before you reset the code. So, enter the 5-digit factory code listed on the back of your user manual and open the safe. [4] X Research source

On Fire Safes, creating a user code doesn’t delete the factory code. The factory code stays the same and you can use it to open your safe if you forget your user code.

If you don’t enter your new user code in 5 seconds, simply start the process again.
Test your user code to make sure it unlocks your safe while the door is still open.

Advertisement Method 3 of 5:

Resetting the Combination on a Security Safe

If you’ve already reset your Security Safe’s factory code, enter your combination to open the safe.

Programming a new user code deletes the factory code, meaning you can’t use it to open your safe.

Test your new combination with the safe door open. Before you close your safe, make sure your code is set and unlocks the door. Just punch in your new combination followed by the “#” key and turn the door knob. [9] X Research source

Advertisement Method 4 of 5:

Resetting the Combination on a Depository Safe

Open the safe by entering in the master code. Most Depository Safes come with a unique master code printed in the owner’s manual that works like a factory code. Just enter in the master code to open the safe and keep the door open as you reset the combination. [10] X Research source

For example, press #-7-7-7-7-7-7-#.

For example, press 1-*-5-6-7-8-9-#-5-6-7-8-9-#.
Setting a new master code deletes the one that came with the safe, making it unusable.

Test the new master code while the safe door is open. Make sure your combination is fully set before you close the safe. Just enter “*,” your new code, and then “#” on the keypad. Then, pull on the safe’s door handle to see if the lock successfully retracts. [13] X Research source

Advertisement Method 5 of 5:

Resetting the Combination on a Pistol Safe

If you already reset the factory code, use your combination to open the safe.

Press and hold “1” within 10 seconds of opening the safe. Once the safe door is open, immediately push 1 on the keypad. Keep pressing it down for 1 to 3 seconds. This starts the combination reset process. [15] X Research source

Creating a user code deletes the Pistol Safe’s default factory code. You won’t be able to use the factory code to open your safe anymore.

Test that your new code works by closing the safe door and entering your combination.

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Store your new user code in a safe location. Write it down and tuck it away somewhere only you know to look, or type it into a password-protected document.

Or, create an account on Sentry Safe’s website and store your code online.

If you don’t have your factory code and need to get into your safe immediately, pick the lock with a rare earth magnet, nail file, or paperclip.

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