Pen Gear Small Digital Safe Instructions

The default code on most Pen Gear small digital safes is 0000. That's it. You open it, press the power button, type four zeros, and hit the hash or star key. If that doesn't work, try 1234. Some versions ship with that instead. I've had three of these over the years and one came pre-set by whoever assembled the shipping box - someone had already changed the code before the customer ever saw it. On the front panel there's a numeric keypad and a power button. Press power to wake it. The display will light up. Enter your four-digit code. On most models the hash key acts as the enter button. The motor inside will click and the door opens. The battery compartment is on the inside of the door. It takes either a 9-volt or sometimes AA batteries depending on the exact model. If the display is dim or not responding at all, replace the batteries first before doing anything else. This is where people get stuck. Here's how it actually works on the standard model: open the door, find a small reset button or slider inside near the latch mechanism. On my second unit it was a tiny red button. On the newer one it was a sliding switch labeled USER/PWD. Press and hold the reset button while entering your new code, then press enter. The display will beep or flash to confirm. You have about ten seconds to finish the sequence before it times out. I once spilled coffee near the unit and the reset button got sticky. I used a Q-tip with a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol to clean around it and that fixed the problem.

If you've lost the code and can't access the manual, there's a physical override. Remove the batteries completely. Wait thirty seconds. Put fresh batteries back in. While holding the power button down, the unit should enter factory reset mode. You may need to consult the exact model number on the back label - it varies slightly by production year. The 2021 model uses a different sequence than the 2019 version. Check the Staples product page or the Pen Gear website for model-specific instructions. The manual PDF is usually listed under product support if you search the model number. These safes use a cheap solenoid mechanism. They work fine for keeping casual thieves away from your laptop or jewelry, but they are not rated for anything beyond a quick concealment tool. The door gasket is thin foam. Moisture gets in. I kept a backup hard drive in one during a humid summer and found condensation inside the safe after two months. Put silica gel packets in there if you live in a damp climate. Also the keypad has zero lockout protection. Someone who can see your code from an angle can enter it slowly and open the safe in about forty-five seconds. This isn't a high-security device. It's a deterrent level product. Another thing that goes wrong regularly: the batteries die at inconvenient times. These units pull power continuously from the batteries to maintain the memory and solenoid. Fresh alkaline cells typically last eight to fourteen months depending on how often you use it. If you forget to change them, the safe locks you out just like a forgotten code. Keep a fresh 9-volt nearby and check the battery every six months as a habit.

Download link

The official Pen Gear manual PDF is available through the Pen Gear support page on the Staples website. Search for your exact model number and look for the documentation section. I found the 2022 version at Staples.com/support under the Pen Gear product line. The file is about 2.1 MB and includes wiring diagrams if you need to bypass the battery for hardwired installation, which some people do when they mount these in a drawer or wall. Bottom line: these are adequate for home or office use at the price point. Don't expect them to handle anything serious. Change the default code immediately, swap batteries twice a year, and keep a silica pack inside. If you need actual security, spend more money on a proper brand like Master Lock or Yale.