Why Can’t I Open My Safe?

No matter how much money you’ve invested in a high security safe, and no matter how well it was installed, there may come a time when you simply can’t get the thing open. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a major inconvenience, or a downright nuisance, but either way, you’re probably going to need the help of a licensed locksmith to get you back into your safe.

Here are several of the many reasons why you might be struggling to open your safe:

The lock may be damaged

If you use your safe regularly, there’s a strong possibility that it has become worn and damaged, and the key may simply not turn in it. A brief inspection from a service technician will help to determine whether this is the case, and if so, they will be able to repair or replace the lock as necessary, or configure a new key.

The bolts are misaligned

Repeated closing of the safe door when the bolts are extended, may result in misalignment over time, and could cause the door to stop opening. One quick call to a safe technician is all it takes to get the safe open, and they may even be able to straighten the bolts so that you don’t have to spend out on a brand new safe.

The door has dropped on its hinges

The doors on many larger, high security safes are exceptionally heavy, and over time – especially if used frequently – the hinges may need to be adjusted to prevent the door from dropping; again, a safe technician can easily do this for you.

The electronic lock has stopped working

This could be a simple case of the batteries having expired, and aside from regularly checking the display (which should tell you when the batteries are running low and need to be replaced), you should aim to replace them frequently for maximum performance.

You’ve forgotten the code to the safe

This will of course prevent you from opening the safe, and it’s important to remember that while some locks can be reset if the door is open, most will require knowledge of the existing code for the door to be opened.

Some locks contain a master code that control other users and, if this is known, it may be possible to re-program all the codes. If your unit cannot be opened with a code, however, you’ll need a trained safe service technician to force the safe open.

Whatever the reason for your safe not opening, there’s no reason to panic; a simple call to a local safe technician will almost always get the problem resolved within a short space of time.