How To Reset A Honeywell Alarm System

Just like changing your password for popular web accounts keeps your online life secure, changing access codes for your Honeywell alarm system is how to stay proactive with your home security. These solutions won't work for all Honeywell alarm systems but should work for many, including when you are programming Ademco alarms since it was the original brand bought out by Honeywell. Always write down new codes and keep them in a secure place.

The installer code can't arm or disarm your system, but it can prevent local programming if you don't know it. Alarm experts recommend always sticking to the default installer code, which is often 4112 on Honeywell products. (The code 4111 is used on some as well.) Leaving the installer code as the default will not compromise your security.

Changing the code, however, runs the risk of you forgetting your code, in which case there are limited Honeywell systems with a backdoor access to reset an installer code. In fact, experts recommend never changing installer codes, as you can be permanently locked out of local programming if you ever forget your code.

If you don't know the installer code, the original alarm monitoring service may be able to help you. Definitely try the default code of either 4112 or 4111 before calling anyone. Keep in mind that these steps can help when changing codes on ADT alarm systems, which are usually made by Honeywell too.

The master code is the code known only to you as the owner of the home. You should never give it out but rather create secondary user codes instead. Having the master code grants anyone the ability to make big changes in your system's programming, including changing the master code.

When programming, do not take longer than three seconds between each series of numbers or the process will fail, and you'll need to start again. If you have the existing master code, it's quite simple. The default master code is typically 1234.

Enter the existing master code and then press 8. Press 02 and then enter your new four-digit master code. Then enter the new four-digit master code once again. The system will beep when the new code is accepted.

If you don't know the master code, you can reset it through the installer code. Just enter the installer code and then press 8. Then press 02 and enter the new four-digit master code. The keypad will beep in approval. In some cases, you may have to reset the old master code to the default master code, then you start over to set your own new master code.

For security's sake, program new codes for each person or group who has access to your home. If someone accesses your home via disabling with a specific code, knowing that you only gave that code to, say, your gardener could be useful if there's ever an investigation. Every time you get a key back from someone, delete the corresponding security code and you'll keep your home more secure. Staying on top of user codes can be an annoyance and even a disadvantage to having an intrusion detection system, but that's the price of security.

To add a new user, enter the master code and then press 8. Enter a user number that indicates who that person is (like 7 for a housekeeper). Then enter a new four-digit user code for that person.

Deleting a user depends on your system. Enter the master code and then press 8 followed by the user number. For the L3000 series, wait for the acknowledgement beep. For the Vista series, once you enter the user number, press the # key followed by 0.