SentrySafe Depository Safe Keypad (DH-E): Codes, Delay, Batteries

Safe lock help · Sentry Safe

Safe lock troubleshooting › Sentry Safe › Sentry depository (drop) safe with keypad (DH-074E, DH-109E, DH-134E) and key-lock drop safes

The SentrySafe depository safes (DH-074E, DH-109E and DH-134E) have an electronic keypad with a star (*) key and a pound (#) key, a set light (orange) and an open light (green). They have a master code, a manager code and user codes. This guide covers how to open them, change the codes, dual user mode, the time delay, the batteries and the 5-minute shut-down. It also covers the UC-025K and UC-039K drop-slot safes that open with two keys.

• How to open
• Battery
• Change codes
• Signals
• Lockout
• Dual user mode
• Time delay mode
• UC-025K and UC-039K drop-slot safes (two keys)
• Troubleshooting
• Manuals

Want the whole manual? Jump to the manufacturer download links.

Is this your lock?

• A depository (drop) safe: a door with a handle and a drop slot, and a keypad (numbers, a * key and a # key) with a light that shows green when it opens and orange when you program.
• The model numbers in Sentry’s manual are DH-074E, DH-109E and DH-134E (manual P55688). Sentry’s drop-slot safes UC-025K and UC-039K have two key locks instead (manual P55697).
• The lock has a master code, a manager code and user codes. Each code is 1 to 10 digits. The starting master and manager codes are on the front of the owner’s booklet.
• It uses four AAA alkaline batteries behind the keypad.

How to open it

1. Enter *, then the master or manager code (or a user code), then #.
2. The lock gives a single signal and the open light stays green for 5 seconds.
3. Turn the handle clockwise before the green light goes out.

If dual user mode is on

1. Enter *, the first code, #, then the second code and #.
2. The lock gives a single signal and the open light stays green for 5 seconds.
3. Turn the handle clockwise before the green light goes out.

• A single signal (the LED flashes and it beeps once) means a valid entry. A double signal (two flashes and two beeps) means an invalid entry.
• Always do the code changes below with the door open, and test a new code by entering *, the code and #.

How to change the battery

The keypad uses four AAA alkaline batteries (we recommend Procell). Do not use rechargeable or any other non-alkaline batteries, and do not mix old and new or alkaline and standard batteries. The green LED shows red when you open the safe when the batteries are low: the lock gives you a valid signal but does not unlock.

1. Keep the door open while you work.
2. Turn the keypad housing counterclockwise and carefully pull it away from the mounting plate to show the battery compartment. Hold on to the keypad housing so you do not pull the wires out.
3. Take out the four AAA batteries and put in four new AAA alkaline batteries.
4. Line the keypad up with the inserts on the mounting plate and turn it clockwise. Make sure no wires or cables are trapped between the keypad and the plate: pinched cables cause a short circuit.

How to change the codes

Change the master code

1. Enter #, your existing master code, #. The set light stays orange for 10 seconds.
2. Within those 10 seconds, enter 1, *, the new master code, #, the new master code again, #.

Change the manager code

1. Enter #, the master or manager code, #. The set light stays orange for 10 seconds.
2. Within 10 seconds, enter 2, *, the new manager code, #, the new manager code again, #.

Activate a user code (user IDs 3 to 7)

1. Enter #, the master or manager code, #. The set light stays orange for 10 seconds.
2. Enter the user ID number (3 to 7), *, the new user code, #, the new user code again, #.

Change a user code

1. Enter #, the user code, #. The set light stays orange for 10 seconds.
2. Enter the new user code, #, the new user code again, #. (The master or manager can also change a user code with the “activate a user code” steps.)

Delete a user code

1. Enter #, the master or manager code, #. The set light stays orange for 10 seconds.
2. Enter the user ID number (3 to 7), *, #, #.

• The master code and manager code come set from the factory (they are on the front of your owner’s booklet), and Sentry says to set your own right away. We are not printing them here.

Signals and lights

Wrong codes

Three incorrect entries in a row shut the keypad down for five minutes. During that time you do not get any response from the keypad. Wait the five minutes and then try again.

Dual user mode

For more security, the safe can be set so that two people must enter their codes, the second within 60 seconds of the first. Do these with the door open.

1. Any code plus any code: enter #, the master code, #, 1, #, 1, #.
2. Master or manager code plus a user code: enter #, the master code, #, 2, #, 2, #.
3. Back to a single code: enter #, the master code, #, 0, #, 0, #.

• The lock gives a single signal after each change. To open in dual mode, see the steps above.

Time delay mode

The time delay holds both the opening and the programming of the lock. Set it with the door open.

1. To turn it on: enter #, the master code, #, a two-digit number of minutes (01 to 99), #, the same two digits again, #. Sentry’s example is #, master code, #, 05, #, 05, # for a five-minute delay. Press * or # to start the delay.
2. While the delay runs, the keypad does not respond to any entry. The lock flashes once every 5 seconds, then once every second for the last ten seconds, and ends with a double signal.
3. The open period then lasts 2 minutes, and the lock flashes twice every 5 seconds. In that time you can unlock the safe or program it.
4. To turn it off: enter #, the master code, #, 00, #, 00, #.

UC-025K and UC-039K drop-slot safes (two keys)

These Sentry drop-slot safes have no keypad. Sentry’s sheet (P55697) gives the steps:

1. Put the key marked “A” into the bottom lock and turn it counterclockwise to the 9 o’clock position.
2. Put the numbered key into the top lock and turn it clockwise to the 5 o’clock position.
3. Slowly pull the door toward you.

• To order replacement keys, Sentry needs the model and serial number from the small label on the outside of the safe.

If it still won’t open

The lock gives a signal but will not unlock

Check that you get a signal with every key stroke, that you are not in time delay mode, and replace the batteries. If it still will not open, call SentrySafe customer care or call us.

The lock does not respond (no flash, no beeps)

Check that the wires in the keypad housing are not pinched and are firmly connected, that the batteries are in correctly, and that the lock is not in the five-minute lockout. Then replace the batteries.

I made a mistake while changing a code

Wait 30 seconds and start again. If a code change did not work, you get a double signal and the old code still works.

I lost the master code

The master and manager codes were set at the factory and are on the front of the owner’s booklet. SentrySafe can look them up from the model and serial number. Call us if you need the safe opened.

Download the full manufacturer instructions

More lock guides

• Sentry Safe Sentry hotel / residential card-swipe safe (H060ES, HL100ES)
• Mesa Safe MSL-500 and MSL-500-P keypad (depository safes)
• Sentry Safe Sentry fire and water safe, keypad with a P key (SFW, FP, FPW)
• ← All safe locks

About this guide. This is an independent guide from Steve’s Lock, Safe and Alarm, a safe and lock dealer. Brand and model names belong to their owners and are used only to help you identify your lock. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers. These steps summarize the manufacturers’ own instructions; your lock may be a different version, so if anything here does not match what your lock does, follow your manual or call us. Always change codes with the safe door open, and test the new code several times before you close the door.

Steps last checked against the manufacturer documents on October 19, 2026.