(Picking 132) How to recover your lost Master Lock Word combination

Here I show how to decode a Master Lock Word combination padlock (model 643DASTWD or 643DWD) - handy if you've lost or forgotten your combination.
Note that I didn't know the default passcode for this lock is factory set to P-L-A-Y. I just bought the lock to decode it (and I didn't read the instructions) as I knew the method would be the same as for the "number" version of this lock.
See Video 197 where I show how I decode another one of these locks:
• (197) How to recover y...
See Video 3 where I show how to decode a "number" Master Lock:
• (Picking 3) Master com...

[@eerice704]

GOT IT!!! I was determined to open this lock purely to challenge myself. Nothing I tried worked until I figured something out - the little hole in the top (with enough light) allows you to see each wheel. I noticed each wheel has a notch at a certain point. I figured if I had a paper clip inside while I turned the wheels, it would eventually fall through each wheel until it hit the bottom of the lock, thus revealing the combination. Turns out, the little notches are all offset from the true code - by 3 counterclockwise in my case! So I first got the paper clip to go through each notch and hit the bottom of the lock, and then pulled it out, leaving the code intact. Then I shifted each wheel counterclockwise 3 (viewed from the front) and it revealed the true code! I’m quite proud of myself on this one.

[@Swynndla]

Excellent! Well done for figuring it out. Yes, that's a valid technique for many locks (although the offset is often different for different manufacturers of locks - so best to move all the wheels one at a time & test). We'll done once again for figuring it out by yourself!

[@joseywales7930]

My man. Like when Denzel says it. After an hour of trying, I gave up and found a paperclip. It took like 30 sec to open it. Thanks!

[@shamicosamidan7137]

I've watched so many videos online on how to open this type of lock, but yours was the one that really helped me open mine! Very detailed and helpful instructions on how to open - thanks!

[@Swynndla]

That's fantastic! Well done. Thank you for the nice feedback! :D :D

[@theeastcoastblogger]

Literally locked myself out my locker at the gym this morning …. This worked! I didn’t get to workout tho cause I had to go to work and I already spent about 30 mins before finding this video trying to unlock it myself lol… thank you!

[@Swynndla]

Nice! I'm glad you got your gear and you got to work on time, and also that they didn't have cut your lock off. At least your fingers got a workout! You've taught yourself a new skill. Cheers for the comment!

[@robinslover70]

Thank you for the video tutorial. I had this exact lock and I had forgotten the combo. I watched your video and within minutes I had hacked it, and created a new code.

[@Swynndla]

That's fantastic - well done!

[@millertymvideo]

Glad I found your video. Cleaning out stuff at home and found this exact model of lock in a drawer but had forgotten the combo. Thought I might have to throw it away. Happily, the combo that you figured out also works for mine!

[@Swynndla]

LOL the exact same combination? - Nice! :D :D

[@natalycarcamo5457]

Did it??

[@dude_1688]

Because Play is the default combination which means you never actually set a combination you kept the default one.

[@aceboogie111]

Thank you so much. My daughter locked her lock an forgot the password. This video got it unlocked. Appreciate you sir.

[@Swynndla]

Fantastic! Well done for getting it open, as it's not that easy if you're not used to this sort of thing!

[@cherokee8647]

Good job Swynndla on decoding this padlock. Good job friend. 👍👍👍👍🧡

[@Swynndla]

Thank you for the nice words matey! :D :D

[@RASAllusion]

I am mazed every time I watch you do these combo locks. Let me guess, you were very good at math in school weren't ya? lolz. I learn something new every time. Thanks for the explanations and the tips.

[@Swynndla]

Thank you for the kind words buddy! :D :D Ah well lock companies tend to want to distribute their gates at an equal distance from each other - maybe for ease of manufacturing? Having only 4 gates means 10 numbers / 4 gates is a distance of 2.5 from each other (so two of them are half numbers) whereas 5 gates is 10/5 is a distance of 2 from each other (or every other wheel) which is what the higher quality locks use. That's the extent of the math. :D Cheers again mate!

[@dazevers]

For a master lock it definitely put up a bit of a fight.Have a great week.

[@Swynndla]

Cheers! Not too bad but yea - i hope it helps others! :D :D

[@lockmania-locks]

Very nicely done my friend always learning while watching your videos

[@Swynndla]

Hehe thank you mate for the kind words. :D :D

[@precursoriann]

Awesome technique! It worked for me. Thanks a lot 😊🙏🏼

[@Swynndla]

Excellent! I'm so glad it helped. Cheers 😜😜

[@chriscapune7873]

Nice explanation!!! 👍👍👍👍🐈

[@Swynndla]

Thank you kind sir! :D :D

[@Steve-xi9gh]

Dude, just opened this lock my son accidentally changed the code on, well done on the video :)

[@Swynndla]

That's fantastic! ... well done for figuring it out!

[@xeph925]

Worked like a charm, thanks so much for your help

[@Swynndla]

That's fantastic! So glad it helped mate! :D :D

[@colinarnold5968]

Awesome explanation it worked perfectly!

[@Swynndla]

Excellent! :D :D

[@Potti314]

That was fun to watch - not 0000 as we don't have numbers on the lock ;-) For me letter-locks are kind of odd as combination locks are tightly connected with numbers in my mind. Silly that they space the false gates in-between letters, but in fact it's something that I've seen on other locks before.

[@Swynndla]

Thank you! :D :D Yea 10 numbers divided by 4 gates is 2.5 ... so the inner wheels are symmetric ... but not as hard to figure out as gates every two spaces ... did they really save on costs?

[@yellaturd]

Just bought one of these, followed the instructions to set a custom code, tested the code, it worked, jumbled it up and now the new code and the original code both do not work. Accidental annoying puzzle.

[@yellaturd]

Magically got it open fiddling with the top wheel under tension. It was several letters off from what I had set it to. Not sure what happened there.

[@yellaturd]

Maybe I'm the problem but it seems extremely faulty. I can set a new code, test the code several time then it will randomly stop working and become something slightly different. There was one point where the second wheel could be rotated to almost anything and it would still unlock.

[@Swynndla]

@@yellaturd That sounds like a faulty lock! In the "reset" position, what is going on inside is the outer wheels are disconnected from the inner wheels, so that the outer wheels can turn to whatever numbers you like, while the inner wheels remain on the correct position (the correct inner-combination that would unlock the lock). Sometimes the inner wheels and outer wheels can slip ... sometimes because the lock is damaged, or sometimes because the reset isn't pushed in enough (ie shackle not pushed down enough, although I don't think this is the case with your one from what you've said). Some cheap locks slip all the time, but Master locks would probably only slip if it's faulty.

[@paulhorn74]

@@yellaturd Just put one of these on a gate last week. It has "scrambled" itself twice now. First time I got lucky (was only the first letter, off by one). Second time I was ready to saw it off until I watched this. Took me all of 5 minutes to open it, and it was WAY off from what had been set. Fixed it, locked it, unlocked it, locked it ... and it had changed again. It seems EXTREMELY easy to accidentally reset tumblers when open / turned a bit to remove from the gate latch.

[@aliciaforeman1986]

@@yellaturd same happened to me ! How did you fix it ?

[@jessicamoore7373]

Did it! Thanks -- great video!

[@Swynndla]

Fantastic! So glad the video helped. Have a great day! 😜😜

[@ajclark9939]

Nicely done my friend

[@Swynndla]

Thank you mate. :D :D

[@ryrypelonis4076]

I thought I had cracked it but it was still locked. Forgot the combination

[@Swynndla]

Are you able to get all four wheels in a gate? That's the first step, and if they are whole number gates (not half way between) then you're almost done ... find the loosest one of the 2 whole number gates of each wheel (or just try all 16 combinations and see which one will only it). To get each wheel in a whole number gate, you'll have to test each wheel starting from one end of the other (and I often have to go up & down from one side to the other a few times, because when you get close, the feedback becomes more obvious, but when you're far away it's not so obvious). You'll get sore hands & fingers, so take lots of breaks and have a few days off and look at it next week (after reviewing the video again). Lemme know how you get on. Good luck!

[@WorriedClocks]

Finally did it. Bobby pinned the small gap near the opening, once the pin went down, I pulled the shackle and kept moving the numbers and eventually got it

[@Swynndla]

Fantastic! :D

[@AThreeDogNight]

A good explanation Buddy.

[@Swynndla]

Thank you sir! :D :D

[@bruh_poopoo6381]

This was quite helpful

[@Swynndla]

Thank you!

[@Botas0518]

great vudeo! I won my friend's Iphone 14 pro max because of it! thanka

[@Swynndla]

LOL that was a great bet 😜😜Well done!

[@rogerkomula8057]

Thanks, just opened mine.

[@Swynndla]

Fantastic! Glad the video helped.

[@SasPes]

Cool lock, well done 👍 Bravo 🍻

[@Swynndla]

Thank you mate! :D :D

[@jpkruce]

totally worked!!! THANKS!!!

[@Swynndla]

I'm glad it helped! :D :D

[@Shammer4Life]

Perfect. Thanks!

[@Swynndla]

Cheers! :D :D

[@shaneneibauer4377]

the new locks are sometimes set to PLAY as the original combo

[@Swynndla]

Right! ... I didn't know that at the time :D :D

[@belindaoram7679]

I actually got my lock open! Thank you so much!

[@Swynndla]

Excellent! Well done :D :D

[@calais2005]

Thank You Thank You Thank You

[@Swynndla]

Glad it helped :D :D

[@crankylock7844]

Good expo on the Master mate. I would send you a 4 letter word combo to decode but you know my childish mentality. You would have to upload an adults only video on decoding. lol. Cheers:-)

[@Swynndla]

LOL Cheers Paul mate! :D :D

[@quvxtion3016]

How can we tell if it clicks, I am trying to solve it I cannot do it please help!

[@Swynndla]

You have to tension it by constantly pulling quite hard on the shackle. It doesn't look like I'm constantly pulling on the shackle, but I am (except for when I want move a wheel that's stuck in a gate).

[@bushratbeachbum]

Haha, got mine open, tried to change the code, now it's locked in the recode position, if i decode it there, it then won't shut in the ordinary position!! Any idea what's going on?

[@Swynndla]

Oh! ... I had that happen when either I'm not pressing down on the shackle hard enough when changing to a new combination, or it might be the lock that's faulty.

[@bushratbeachbum]

It's pretty knocked around, i was just using it as a practice lock. I rescued it from bin. Guessing someone forgot the code and chucked it. Thanks for the quick response mate, nice one!!

[@cyberpirate_9]

My lock code ended up being play as well

[@Swynndla]

LOL nice :D :D

[@johndaniel3474]

They all start with" play" from the factory ahahahhah read the how to ... it says they all start at "PLAY"

[@Swynndla]

@@johndaniel3474 Ahhh yes you're right ... I didn't know that when I decoded it. Someone else pointed it out a while ago, and I totally forgot again! :D :D

[@Dodofan178]

Will this work if it’s locked open??

[@franchescaferguson7519]

Still struggling

[@txlv]

the combo is literally on the box man

[@Swynndla]

Hehe yea I didn't know that at the time. Still, if someone loses / forgets their combination, then this method should work.

[@anastasiastepanov59]

Thank you for the great tutorial. I remember my password but it doesn’t work for some reason, neither your combination. Any ideas?

[@Swynndla]

I've got a few ideas. Hopefully your lock isn't broken. The first thing to do is put your combination in (the one you remember) and jiggle the wheels slightly back & forth so you're sure that in the proper place, and see if it opens. If that's no good, try to adjust the combination by one letter. This is because sometimes that external wheels slip over the internal wheels. For example, if your combination should be PLAY, then try: RLAY, JLAY, PHAY, PTAY, PLCY, PLNY, PLAR, PLAK ... if that doesn't work then a wheel might have slipped two positions, or more than one wheel may have slipped, so try different combination in a methodical way. If that doesn't work, let me know and we can try something else. Good luck!

[@anastasiastepanov59]

@@Swynndla thank you very much for your response. I will try that way.

[@Swynndla]

@@anastasiastepanov59 Lemme know how you get on. If it doesn't work, you can try the method I describe in my video 118, where you cut out a tool from an aluminium (aluminum) can ... but don't but yourself! That that doesn't work either, the only option may be to go though all the combination and test all of them (that will take a loooong time).

[@anastasiastepanov59]

@@Swynndla I appreciate your feedback. I will

[@they.fw_katie]

Mine is stuck in the slide on the side what do I do?

[@Swynndla]

I'm not sure what you mean?

[@a.ii.6107]

I still can’t open mine. Somebody helllllp!!!!!

[@lukamilosevic8245]

what kind of click should I hear. I follow all steps and have the exact same lock yet i never feel the shackle click or move.

[@Swynndla]

Are you pulling the shackle out? ... you tension the shackle by pulling it (as if you're trying to open it) with constant tension (pulling). The harder you pull the better, but you'll get sore fingers / hands so I know it's not easy ... take lots of breaks and don't overdo it!

[@Iamsocool1287]

Ok I know that this was 2 years ago but I’m starting high school and I forgot my code right after I did it and this method did not work for me I always heard the same clicks and it was very confusing and now my mom is mad

[@Swynndla]

This lock has false gates to it's not easy. Give the video another watch, and note that I have fairly strong tension (and I get a sore hand / sore fingers) ... attach something around the shackle (like another lock) if it makes it easier to tension, and also you might want to wear some thin gloves. The important thing is to get them all in gates, and you'll have to play around until you get this ... you you can't get them all in gates, start over with a random starting point (by shuffling the wheels first). Once you've got them in gates, you'll want to try each wheel finding the gate with the most play per wheel ... and keep going until it opens.

[@Iamsocool1287]

@@Swynndla thank you I’ll try it again once I have time!

[@too_slow5841]

Mine is the same one

[@Swynndla]

The same combination or the same sort of lock?

[@too_slow5841]

Swynndla lock

[@forged007]

Kiwi? Chur bro lol

[@Swynndla]

lol yea bro 🥝

[@alonzobrownjr.8380]

I got a 4 dial master model 0322CD. Can anybody decode it for cash for me?

[@Swynndla]

have you got a link to this product on line?

[@sneakykidd6848]

This is not working for me concept is not clicking or the video does not apply to my lock. Listened to the video 10 times now.

[@Swynndla]

Sorry to hear that! Maybe your lock is somehow a bit different.

[@country0800]

Dude they come from master lock set to open with the word PLAY. So when you can open a lock that has been opened and set to a word you didn't know and then you opened it il believe you actually done something but this video is bologna. You didn't crack or decode a thing

[@Swynndla]

I didn't know that until other people told me in the comments. I didn't read the instructions, but the only reason I bought it was to decode it. I knew it couldn't come as 0-0-0-0 but I didn't know what the default code was. Believe me or not but the method works. Next time I'll shuffle it on-screen without looking like I did for the video I made for the "number" version of the same lock (but even shuffling on screen can be faked). The true test is for people to try the method (and it seemed to work for the people in the comments to this video). I did this video to show people how to decode it if they lose / forget their combination, and I've done hundreds of such videos, teaching people the best ways to get into a particular lock. Thanks for the honest comment though. I have updated the description pointing out that the default code is PLAY and that I didn't know that before hand. Have a great 2023!

[@carilee49]

Seriously???

[@vertaexpo9111]

He lied 😂😂 all of those locks come pre set to play😂😂😂😂

[@Swynndla]

They do come pre set to a combination, but I didn't look at it and I shuffled the wheels so I wouldn't know it ... what? you don't believe me???? ... that's ok as I was just trying to show a method that works to decode this lock (for those who have forgotten their combination).

[@vertaexpo9111]

@@Swynndla At the start of the video you can see that in the box is already set to play what other KZbinrs did is they actually change the combination underneath a blanket and then solved it just shows nothing it did not help

[@Swynndla]

@@vertaexpo9111 Oh I see what you mean now! That was the first one I bought so I didn't know what the preset code was (and I didn't look) ... and yea it's ok if you still think it's a trick ... all I was trying to do was to show a method of getting into these locks reliably (and I've done many, many videos on all sorts of combination locks and I often do shuffle them on camera, expecially if they come preset to 0-0-0-0). Hehe even "shuffling under a blanket" can be part of a trick (I can think of ways to make it look convincing). I'm just glad that my method is helping lots of people - read the comments of this video and my many other videos where people have managed to open their locks by using methods I describe for a particular type of lock. Some of my other videos have helped a huge number of people. But in saying all this, thank you for your comment - I didn't even know this lock came with a standard preset code ... it's obvious now you point it out.

[@colinarnold5968]

@@vertaexpo9111 using his method i just opened the same kind of lock and it had a different password other than the preset PLAY. His method works.

[@mohawksniper79]

Lol the code is the same for all of them when you first buy them

[@Swynndla]

Hehe I only found that out after I decode it - silly me!

[@gpitts0011]

sorry, this is a load of crap, anyone who knows anything about these locks knows they are preset to "play" out of the package however this does give an idea of how to "read" the lock

[@Swynndla]

The method works whatever the combination is set to. I didn't know it came set as "play" as I didn't read the instructions, I just bought it to pick it.