Serial NO. : I005034-EN
Date of Editing : 2022-12-20
Questions : How to modify the access PIN of SOYAL H/E series controllers?
Content:
3. The procedure of access PIN modification
(1) H series controller (AR-721H / AR-725-H / AR-321H / AR-888H)
(2) E series controller with keypad only (AR-725E / AR-331E)
(3) E series controller with LCD screen (AR-837E / AR-727E / AR-327E)
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why does my previously working card/key fob no longer grant access after changing the password?
Q2: Why is the old password still usable after changing it?
Q3: What is the fastest way to reset the password when the reader operates in standalone mode?
1. Introduction
This FAQ is customized to general users, if you had rent an office or apartment with SOYAL controller and required to modify the relevant password, please refer to the flow chart below to do the modification.
(1) Distribution Partner >> Official Distribution Partner Searching
(2) Controller Model >> SOYAL Controller / Reader Model Content
(3) Full Command of each Controller >> Manual Downloading
(4) Frequently-used Controller Manual:
AR-321H-331H-721H-725H-757H Manual | AR-837E-EF-ER Manual | AR-725E Manual |
2. Precaution
(1) Master Code:
Before modifying the access PIN, it is required to enter programming mode via inputting Master Code firstly.
The default value of Master Code is *123456#, if the previous tenant didn’t provide the code and using default value is unavailable to log in programming mode (only beep two sounds and flashing red light), please search for the nearest distributor in your country directly to modify the Master Code via SOYAL software.
(2) Controller Mode:
While entering program mode successfully, the controller will beeps for 4/6/8 sounds which means the controller is M4/M6/M8 mode, the access PIN setting is different in each mode.
(3) Public PIN / Private PIN:
All users have a mutual PIN while using M6 mode (Standalone); each user has a private PIN while using M4/M8 mode (Networking/Standalone), 701ClientSQL will display the access user information and access by PIN when the controller has been connected to the PC.
It is also available to set a public PIN in M4/M8 mode, just setting the PIN of a user address individually.
(4) Access Mode:
The function of “Card or PIN” means using valid card only or using PIN only are both available; The function of “Card and PIN” means card presentation and PIN are both required.
(5) Access PIN:
It is required to input 4-digit PIN when getting access in M6/M8 mode; it is required to input 5-digit user address and 4-digit PIN consecutive (9-digit in total).
3. The procedure of access PIN modification
(1) H Series Controller (AR-721H / AR-725-H/ AR-321H/ AR-888H):
(2) E Series Controller with Keypad only (AR-725E /AR-331E):
(3) E Series Controller with LCD Screen (AR-837E /AR-727E /AR-327E):
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answer: This issue only occurs with H-series card readers in M6 mode, and it happens when the 17 is mistakenly used to change the password instead of the correct command.
In M6 mode, all users share a common access password. This means that the 15 and 17
affect the access mode for all users, switching between: "Card or Password" mode or "Card + Password" mode
Most locations use the "Card or Password" access mode, allowing entry with either a card swipe or a password.
The default value of access function of M6 is Card and PIN, it will have 3 beeps for hinting you input PIN number after card presentation. Access function modification please refer the table below:
Access Mode | Command | Description | |
Card and PIN | 17 ![]() ![]() | 15 ![]() ![]() | ????=4-digit PIN(0001~9999 ; default value=1234) |
Card only | 17 ![]() ![]() | 15 ![]() ![]() | Can only use cards for access, password access is not allowed. |
Card or PIN | 17 ![]() ![]() | 15 ![]() ![]() | ????=4-digit PIN(0001~9999 ; default value=4321) |
If you encounter this issue, first confirm that the card reader is in M6 mode and that the access control requirement is "Card or Password."
Then, follow the steps below to re-enter the correct command, allowing the cards to function normally again:
Answer: This issue is more common in M4/M8 modes and can occur for the following reasons:
1. M4/M8 modes allow multiple access passwords (up to the maximum user position limit of the device).
If the user position where you changed the password is different from the one where the previous password was set, you have simply added a new password instead of replacing the old one. This is why you may think the password has been changed, but the old password is still working. See the example below for a detailed explanation.
Example:
Using the AR-721H reader in M4/M8 mode, the user position range for password storage is 0000–1023 (allowing up to 1024 different passwords).
Assume two access passwords were previously set:
If you change the password by entering 1200001
9999
, you are simply adding a new password at position 00001, without modifying the existing passwords at positions 01000 or 01001.
The logic is the same for other card reader models—the only differences are the maximum user limit and configuration method (E-Series screen-type readers require changes via the on-screen menu).
※ M6 mode has only one shared password.When changing the password using 15* or 17* commands, the old password should no longer be usable. If the old password still works, please verify that the device is indeed in M6 mode.
If you have confirmed that you are encountering this situation and understand the above setting logic, there are three solutions:
2. In M4/M8 mode, an emergency password was set using the 15 command*
If an emergency password was mistakenly set in M4/M8 mode using the command 159999
, entering 9999 will still trigger a door unlock output. However, the emergency function has three main purposes:
In summary, while the 15 command can still unlock the door in standalone M4/M8 mode, it is actually an incorrect configuration.
Even if the emergency output (duress output) is not wired, future integration with PC-based software will result in an emergency event being logged for every access attempt, potentially causing confusion and false alarms.
If you have confirmed that you are encountering this situation and understand the above setting logic, there are two solutions:
1. Enter edit mode (default 123456
) ➔Enter 15
000
(to cancel the card machine's emergency password)➔ Enter 12
01000
6543
(to change the password at user location 1000 to 6543)➔
Exit edit mode.
2. Use the 29 command or the LCD screen menu to reset the card machine. All passwords and cards need to be reset, and any cards that have already been issued need to be collected and re-issued.
For details, please refer to Q3: What is the fastest way to reset the password when the reader operates in standalone mode? ➔ Enter edit mode (default 123456#)➔ Enter 12
01000
6543
(to change the password at user location 1000 to 6543) ➔
Exit edit mode.
Ans: The quickest method is to reset the reader and then reconfigure the password. However, this means that all previously issued cards/key fobs must be collected and re-registered as valid cards.
1. For instructions on adding new cards/key fobs, please refer to the user manual for the specific reader model.
Common user manuals :
2. For password setup,
refer to ➤ Section 3 : The procedure of access PIN modification
How to reset the Controller:
Controller | H Series Controller | E Series Controller (with Keypad) | E Series Controller (with LCD Screen) |
Image | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Command Operation Steps | Step 1. Enter ![]() ![]() Step 2. Enter command 29 ![]() ![]() ![]() Step 3. Enter the command ![]() ![]() | Step 1. Enter![]() ![]() Step 2. Select 4. Card Reader Parameters (2) Step 3. Select 9. Restore Factory Settings Step 4. Select 1. Reset User Data Step 5. Continue pressing until selecting 6. Exit Edit Mode |