Technical Support - Electronic Locks Intro text followed by quick-link anchors will go here for the main sections of this page which include. Primary Technical Concerns Review of Primary Technical Concerns BE PATIENT WITH ELECTRONIC LOCKS Electronic locks present a myriad of problems ranging from customer error to actual lock failure. Most major problems with this type of lock are f course related to the electrical components. There are, however, three common problems, which patience and troubleshooting can normally solve.

1. Locked Out Of Knox Electronic Safe
2. Knox Electronic Safe Manual

These problems are; side pressure, drive nut mis-alignment, loose connectors. For side pressure, apply moderate to hard pressure on the handle, towards the closing direction. Enter the lock code, while applying pressure, then turn to open. Other actions to take for side pressure include leaning into the door, shaking the door, and rocking the safe. Drive nut problems can occasionally be solved through repetitive entering of the lock code. Also, removing the keypad, and lightly tapping on the lockbox while someone enters the code will often times give access.

A multitude of calls relate to the keypad not accepting entry. Most of these problems involve a loose connecting wire, or broken battery terminal. A lot of times, the problem is simply a dead battery. Batteries are always the first to start with E-lock problems, and they must be Duracell Coppertop batteries. Beyond that, if the lock is making sounds, but not opening, be persistent.

Even taking a 15-minute break, then trying the code again will often give access. INSPECTION OF SAFE If we can get every dealer to inspect safes upon arrival, so many problems could be averted. First and foremost, freight companies require a claim for damage to be file within 15 to 30 days of delivery. If the safe is not inspected, and damage noted on the bill of lading, there is not recourse down the line. Claims for freight damage need to be filed by the receiving party immediately upon finding damage.

Safes should be inspected prior to final sale. Selling product without at least a visual inspection seems to be something that would never happen, but it does. And the result is customers receiving damaged and faulty safes, which we have to trade out. This results in unnecessary freight, moving, and storage charges; at times in excess of $700.00 for a single safe. Electronic Lock Instruction Downloads. Video Instructions on Electronic Locks.

Electronic Lock Instruction Downloads. Frequently Asked Questions. I just received my safe and do not know the combination for the electronic lock. If your lock has a S&G symbol below the (zero) 0 button the safe will open on 123456# If your lock says LaGard below the (zero) 0 button the safe will open on 123456 If your lock has a clear and enter button the safe will open on 50-25-50. I just received my safe, the keypad seems to accept entries correctly but the handle will not turn. During shipment, vibration can cause pressure to be applied to the door bolts; this pressure may affect the lock. In most cases, you can access the safe by holding the handle hard counter clockwise/clockwise, depending on the model, entering the combination, then turning hard the opposite direction.

Once inside, check for obstructions and pressure marks where the door bolts may be touching the interior. Ensure you have at least 4” of clearance in the front of the safe. I have entered my combination several times, and it doesn’t work. What am I doing wrong? The dial locks used by Heritage and Fortress safes are of the highest quality, which also makes them very sensitive.

Accuracy is of great importance when entering a combination. The dialing procedures used should be as follows:. Clear the lock by turning the dial four complete revolutions clockwise. With your first digit in mind, thru the dial counter-clockwise, passing the number three times and stopping on it exactly the fourth time.

With your second number in mind, turn the dial clockwise, passing the number two times and stopping on the third time. With your third number in mind, turn the dial counter-clockwise, passing the number once stopping on it exactly the second time. Now slowly turn the dial clockwise until it comes to a complete stop. Finally, holding the lock dial in the stopped position, turn the door handle to open the safe. If a mistake, even by a couple numbers, is made during combination entry, you must start over. What happens if someone takes my keypad?

Can they determine my codes? The keypad is a “dumb” input terminal.

Your codes and security information are stored in the lock body inside the safe. How do I get into the safe if the user codes are lost? Heritage safe programs into every electronic lock a unique super master code.

The super master code is serial number specific, which means no other safe has the same code as your safe. Using this code, we can reset the lock to factory default setting. Dealer’s can call the factory to obtain this code.

Customers must fax in a notarized request and with the serial number, as well as proof of purchase. I have a dial lock on my safe, can I change my combination?

The combination installed by Heritage Safe Company is unique to your safe. However, some customers do prefer to have a combination of their choosing. If you choose to have your combination changed, you will have to hire a certified locksmith to perform the service. This is not covered by our warranty.

Also, to keep your warranty valid, you will need to provide Heritage Safe with your new combination so that we can enter it with you safe information. If choosing your own combination, please refer to our. How often do I need to change the batteries in my electronic lock? Heritage safes uses both Sargent and Greenleaf, and LaGard locks on our safes. The Sargent and Greenleaf locks have two (2) different battery placements, our older safes could use two (2) batteries under the key-pad, and the newer locks will take one battery that slides up from the bottom of the keypad. The LaGard lock uses one (1) 9 volt battery under the keypad.

We have also used a Kaba Mas lock in the past this lock also uses one (1) battery under the keypad. Heritage safe as well as the lock manufacture recommend the use of a Duracell© battery.

We also recommend changing the battery on an annual basis. If your lock is not operating correctly, changing the batteries is always the first and best corrective measures. For battery change instructions please. My lock is becoming very difficult. It only opens occasionally; what should I do? The very next time you get your safe open, LEAVE IT OPEN!

Locks almost always give “warning sings” that they are beginning to fail. This is a “big” warning sign. If your lock is not operating correctly, leave your door open and follow our trouble shooting guide. You will be able to create a problem ticket from this link and we will call you to troubleshoot the lock and see if we can identify the problem. The worst scenario is to have a lock fail with the door closed. In most cases, this requires the door to be drilled. If that happens, please open a.

How should I clean and service my safe? The internal mechanism of the door is permanently lubricated, thus needing no maintenance. Occasionally, it may be necessary to lubricate the door bolts. To do so, extend the bolts completely with the door open. Wipe a small amount of oil on each bolt. We recommend cleaning your safe, with a soft cloth and ammonia free window cleaner.

Locked Out Of Knox Electronic Safe

Avoid paper towels. Should I have to move the safe, are there any guidelines? The safe must always be handled with care. The internal relocker is designed to release if the safe is jolted; this will cause a lockout resolvable only by drilling the safe. If you do have to move the safe, it is strongly recommended to either have it professionally done, or at the very least, utilize the proper equipment. When should I use a dehumidifier with my safe? We recommend the use of a dehumidifier for long term storage in areas of high humidity and frequent temperature fluctuations.

All Heritage and Fortress safes require circulation regardless of whether a dehumidifier is used. We suggest you place a spacer under the safe, and keep at least an inch space between the safe and surrounding walls. These procedures are designed both for the dealer as well as the customer of Heritage/Fortress safes.

It is strongly recommended that all safes be thoroughly inspected before accepting delivery. Safes that are freight damaged should not be accepted. If you require additional assistance, please feel free to contact us via the web.

Problem Ticket Submit a Problem Ticket to our Support Team on the Page.

I forgot the combination to my safe about a week after I had bought it. To be fair, it was a rather stressful time, and I was not as security-minded as I am now, so don’t silently judge me, oh faithful reader. That have many unique uses, and they give their users an all around enhanced sense of security. However, there are very few things more infuriating than having your belongings securely stowed away, only to hear yourself say “I forgot my safe combination”. Like I said, I’ve been there and it’s hard to get through on your own. Luckily enough for you, I will help you figure out what to do after you forgot a safe combination and you happen to be. Find Out Which Safe You Have The first step that you need to take is to identify the type of safe that you have.

Knox Electronic Safe Manual

It goes without saying that it is a safe that uses some type of combination to permit entry, but this does not mean that you have narrowed down which type of safe it is. Due to the fact that there is a wide spectrum of items that people want to keep safe, there are. These range from electronic safes to gun safes, and they can store anything from jewelry to the symbol of your (I’m talking about guns).

It might sound redundant to tell you to try and figure out what safe you have, but if you forgot your safe combination, doing so will help. Properly identifying your safe means that you will be able to use the appropriate measures to reset your code, recover it, or unlock your safe. The last thing you want to do is panic and use a wrong access method for your safe. That ends up damaging the safe and all of its internal components.

If you think this could never happen to you, you should probably talk to someone who has been in a lockout scenario before. Imagine calling emergency services for help and not being able to provide them with any pertinent information. How exactly will they be able to help you?

The same idea applies to your safe. In order to get help, you have to request help for a specific safe. This holds true regardless of whether you contact the manufacturer or the locksmith. You will have to provide some basic information about the safe in order for them to know which course of action they should take. The information that comes in handy in these situations can either be a serial number or purchase information. The serial number can either be found on the side of the safe (as is the case for most Sentry safes) or it can be found on the back panel of the safe.

For security purposes, not all safes have their serial numbers inscribed or plastered on the body of the safe. So don’t fret if you cannot find your serial number, simply use information from the purchase order to find out the brand and type of safe you have. Now let’s continue with what you have to do after you say “I forgot my safe combination”. Determine If The Safe Has A Key Override After you have taken stock of the type of safe that you have, you should check whether or not the safe has a key override that can be used for situations like these.

Key overrides come in handy because they allow you to gain access to your safe through the use of an alternative method. This works well for emergency situations or situations where you might have to give a secondary party access to your safe. It helps to, except they’re for your safe and not your house. The key override is also extremely useful for instances where you have forgotten the combination to your safe.

It is possible that you did not even know that the safe had a key override. Lots of people neglect to read the user manual when they buy something, so it is not unheard of. Also, not all safes advertise the fact that they have an override key. This is often done to ensure that people do not have easy access to the keyway. If there is an easy access path to the keyway, it increases the chances of someone potentially overriding the safety mechanisms of the safe, either by drilling or picking the lock.

You should take the time to read through your owner’s manual and verify whether the safe has a key override or not. Doing so will save you time, and it will help you get back into your safe in an expedient manner.

However, if you find yourself saying “I forgot my safe combination”, do not get your hopes up about the mechanical override key. Due to the potential for it to be a liability, not all safe manufacturers utilize one in their safes. Determine If The Safe Has A Change Key If your safe does not have a mechanical key override, there is no need to worry. You will eventually make your way back into your safe.

There are many people who have said, “I forgot the combination to my safe,” who have ended up gaining access to their safes once again. In the absence of a mechanical override key, a change key can be used to help you out of your predicament. A change key allows you to change the combination that grants access to your safe. This is extremely useful for when you have forgotten your combination. Do not view the change key as a universal solution because it doesn’t work for all safes. Also, you might be required to input your old combination when you are using a change key, which will be very difficult to accomplish if you forgot safe combination.

A perfect example of a safe that allows you to use a change key is the Sargent & Greenleaf 2740 B. If the name ‘Sargent & Greenleaf’ sounds familiar, it’s because they feature prominently on Ralph’s. For this safe, you can insert the change key in the back of the safe and then you have to input the reset combination. This set of numbers is merely a way of wiping the slate clean for you to set a new code to your safe. If you forgot your safe combination, the use of a change key or a mechanical key override can be quick solutions. However, I am speaking from experience when I say that people rarely have these elements on hand, so you will likely have to resort to calling a locksmith to help you get back into your safe. Find A Locksmith If you have tried all the methods above and you have not been able to get into your safe, it might be time to reach out to the professionals.

A locksmith will be able to help you gain entry into a safe you are locked out of. It is important to walk yourself through the above solutions before you make the decision to call a locksmith. It is possible that you have an override key or a change key.

So when you forget the combination to your safe, make sure you run through all the possible scenarios before you reach out to ask for help. Finding the locksmith to open your safe sounds relatively easy, but there is a chance that the entire ordeal can go awry if it is not handled in the right way. Safes are very intricate devices, and if they are not treated properly, you could potentially damage your security investment and the contents of your safe as well. Ideally, you want to find, and one that seems knowledgeable about your particular safe.

Provide Information About Your Safe Once you find the right locksmith to help you out with your locked safe, you are one step closer to getting back into your safe (and forgetting that you forgot the combination to your safe). In order for a locksmith to help you in the best way possible, you have to give them enough information about your safe so that they are not walking into the job blind. Ideally, you should provide the locksmith with the brand and model of the safe, because this allows them to familiarize themselves with the safe as well as pick out the necessary tools for the job.

They should also be made aware of the what type of safe it is. This means that if you have forgotten the combination to your electronic safe, the locksmith should not walk in thinking that you have forgotten the combination to a mechanical safe. Providing the locksmith with the adequate information will ensure that they can help you out in the best way possible. Let’s take a quick way at some of the methods a locksmith can use to gain entry to your safe: Safe Manipulation – The word manipulation usually carries a lot of negative connotations, but in this context, it will be somewhat positive (especially if you forgot the safe combination). Also, when most people think about safe manipulation, they conjure up an image of a debonair spy (a la James Bond) who wears a charming smile and can open any safe in under 2 minutes. Safe manipulation is a lot more intricate and trickier than that. It requires skill and patience that only the best locksmiths possess.

It should be noted that safe manipulation works best on those safes that have combination dials. The reason why this is a popular entry method is because it allows a locksmith to gain entry without damaging any of the components. There are some other entry methods that can be taken advantage of, but these run the risk of damaging the internal mechanisms of your safe. In order to properly manipulate a safe, you have to be somewhat knowledgeable in the way the wheel pack and spindle of the safe dial work.

Forced Entry – The forced entry is a lot less debonair than safe manipulation, and it is mostly used as a last resort if you have forgotten your safe combination. It is unlikely that the locksmith will have to resort to using a forced entry method on your safe since it is not broken. In most cases where forced entry used, there has been some internal or external damage to the safe, which has rendered it nearly impossible to open by other means. One of the most common forced entry methods is drilling through the safe. Drilling can be done in different ways to achieve different results. For instance, you can opt to choose right through the wheel pack and render the locking mechanism ineffective, or you can drill a hole that allows you to insert a fiber optic cable. Once the cable is inserted, the locksmith will be able to see the way the way the wheels in the wheel pack move in accordance to the dial.

This will make it relatively easy for them to align the wheels and open the safe. Although this method helps you gain access to your safe, it also renders your safe vulnerable and insecure. Even if the second drilling method is used, you now have a hole that gives criminals and burglars unfettered access to the internal workings of your safe. Conclusion I can only hope that by the time you have reached this conclusion, you have figured out the best solution to help you get back into your safe.

It can be challenging if you find yourself saying, “I forgot my safe combination,” but if you keep a level head, you will be able to navigate the situation and gain access to your safe once again. Always remember, that forced entry into your safe should always be your last resort, especially if you plan to continue to use the safe.