If your stereo suddenly displays CODE, LOC, or SAFE, it's an anti-theft lock — not a fault. Here's what's going on.
If you turned on your car and your radio is now showing CODE, LOC, SAFE, or ENTER CODE instead of playing, don't worry — your radio isn't broken. It has simply activated its built-in anti-theft security feature.
Most factory car stereos store a security code that locks the radio whenever it loses power. The idea is simple: if the radio is stolen and installed in another vehicle, it's useless without the code. The code isn't needed during normal driving — only after the radio has been disconnected from power.
Any one of these cuts power to the radio, which trips the lock the next time you switch on.
You need the original unlock code for your specific radio. That code is tied to the radio's serial number (or, for many vehicles, your VIN). Once you have the code, you enter it using the preset or tuning buttons and the radio returns to normal.
If you don't have the code on hand, that's where we come in: choose your vehicle brand, send us your radio serial number or VIN, and we'll retrieve your factory unlock code and email it to you — standard service in 30 minutes to 24 hours.
