How Do I Backdoor Into Programming on a Honeywell LYNX Touch System if I am Locked Out?

You can backdoor into programming on a Honeywell LYNX Touch System if you are locked out by rebooting the system and holding down the Home button upon reapplying power. You must wait for the system to boot back up. You can then provide a specific sequence of commands to access programming.

Before performing the backdoor method, you should check and make sure that you are definitely locked out of programming. Start from the main screen of your LYNX Touch. Choose Security > More > Tools > Installer Code (default 4112) > Program. If you get to the next screen, then you are not locked out of programming, and you can ignore the rest of this FAQ. But if nothing happens, then you are indeed locked out of programming.

Remember, you can prevent yourself from being locked out of programming by always choosing "YES" when you are asked if you want to allow the Installer to re-enter programming. Always select "YES" when presented with this choice. Failing to follow this practice will force you to use the backdoor method, which while effective, is inconvenient and time-consuming. You may also become locked out of programming if you lose the Installer Code. This is why it's always recommended to keep the Installer Code at its default of 4112.

If you need to perform the backdoor method to get into programming, complete the following steps:

1. Reboot the system. There are two ways to reboot a LYNX Touch. The first is to choose the menu option. From the main screen, choose Security > More > Tools > Master Code (default 1234) > Test > Reboot > Yes. The system will begin rebooting.

Alternatively, if you don't know the Master Code, you can power down the system using the conventional method. Open up the panel, and disconnect the backup battery. Then unplug the transformer. This will power down the system. Then reconnect the transformer to begin rebooting.

2. Press Home and wait. Immediately after the panel illuminates, press and hold the Home button. You will have to keep this button held down for several moments. The message "System Standby" will appear with a red bar at the top. Keep the Home button held down at this time. Eventually, the bar will turn green and display the words "Ready to Arm". Alternatively, the bar may turn yellow if there is a trouble condition. You can release the button once the upper bar turns green or yellow.

Please note that if you have an older Honeywell LYNX Touch System, like a Honeywell L5100, you will press and hold the unlock button on the front of the panel when the red "System Standby" bar at the top appears. Hold the button until the bar turns green and the message "Ready to Arm" appears. Release the button, and then immediately press it again. Then enter "Clear", followed by "00". This will take you to the Installer Menu so that you can enter programming. You can Skip Step 3 in this case. Remember, this only applies to the older style of LYNX Touch Systems.

3. Clear the lockout. Immediately after releasing the home button, press "Security", then "Arm Stay". You must do this very quickly. If successful, a keypad will appear. Press the "Clear" button in the bottom-left. Then enter "00". You will enter the Installer Menu.

4. Enter Programming. Choose "Program". You will enter programming. You can use this opportunity to change the Installer Code back to 4112 if necessary. You can use the return arrow in the upper-right corner to exit programming when you have finished. This time, make sure to choose "Yes" when asked if you want to allow the Installer to re-enter programming!