Will a Treadmill Work Without a Key – 5 Tips for Treadmill Safety Key Bypass in 2023

Will a Treadmill Work Without a Key? If you misplaced your treadmill’s safety key, then you may have some serious difficulties getting it to work. After all, this safety key is absolutely necessary for your treadmill to work. 

Of course, treadmills use safety keys for a reason. In many cases, the treadmill safety key automatically turns the machine off if you fall off. Therefore, you won’t get injured if you happen to slip during your workout – or at least not as injured as you would get with the treadmill still running. 

Plus, the safety key also prevents the machine from turning on when you don’t want it to. For instance, you don’t want a child accidentally flipping on the treadmill. The safety key prevents this from happening. 

However, there are many cases where you may not want to use a safety key. Many people don’t like using the safety key, for instance. Or, you may have misplaced your safety key. 

There are a few things you can do to bypass the safety key. Keep reading below for information on how to bypass this safety feature.

Safety Warning

Before we go further in this article, it’s important to point out that running a treadmill without this safety feature can be dangerous. There is a reason many treadmills require a safety key, after all. 

Preferably, you should avoid bypassing the safety key at all costs. Many user manuals will recommend against not using the safety key, and it will likely make you exempt from any warranty. 

How To Make Your Treadmill Work Without a Key

Making your treadmill work without a key isn’t terribly difficult. However, you’ll need to open up the treadmill console and do some electrical wiring work. Obviously, this isn’t exactly easy. It is best if you have some background electrical knowledge, but this isn’t necessary in all cases. 

Different treadmills have different systems, with some being more difficult to bypass the key. 

Plus, this will absolutely void any warranty. 

Firstly, make sure the machine is unplugged. Then, remove the console cover. Typically, you’ll need an Allen wrench to do this. Finally, locate the safety switch, which should be near the key slot. 

You’ll see some wire leads on either side of the safety switch. In many cases, the switch may be in a separate housing, with the leads connected to this housing. Either way, remove these leads from the terminal post by turning the screws.

Next, string the ends of the leads by about ¼ of an inch. Then, twist the ends of the wires tight with your fingers. You’ll need to do this to ensure good contact. Next, cut the wire that attaches between the ends of the leads and twist the stranded wire ends. 

Now, you’ll need an insulated crimp connector. Insert each of the leads into this connector and crimp them together. 

Use some electrical tape to wrap the jumper wire and crimped connectors. Replace any housing you had to remove thus far and reinstall the console cover. 

Plug the treadmill back in and press the start button. Hopefully, the treadmill should turn back on without much of a problem. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to review these steps and try again. 

FAQs Of Will a Treadmill Work Without a Key?

What Does the Treadmill Safety Key Do?

The safety key is there to shut the machine off should you accidentally slip. Plus, it also prevents the treadmill from turning on accidentally since the safety key adds another step that needs to be done. 

For instance, when a safety key is needed, a child isn’t accidentally going to turn on the machine. 

Therefore, the safety key is very important for the overall safety of the treadmill. Without it, the treadmill won’t stop if you trip and fall, which can lead to further injuries. Similarly, you’ll need to consider the possibility that a child will turn it on accidentally, which can cause serious injuries to them. 

From a practical standpoint, the safety key allows the electricity to flow through the treadmill. It completes the circuit. Without it, the treadmill won’t work. Therefore, it is an essential piece of equipment for the functioning of your treadmill. 

How Do You Use a Safety Clip on a Treadmill?

A safety clip is typically used interchangeably with a key. The clip attaches to your clothes while the key goes into the treadmill. If you fall down, this clip will pull the key out of the treadmill, shutting it off and preventing extra injuries. 

And that’s it! Using a safety key and clip is extremely easy to do. If you have any questions about your particular model, you should look at the owner’s manual. 

How Do You Start a Nordic Track Treadmill without a Key?

All Nordic Track treadmills have safety keys. Typically, these work a bit differently than other treadmills. For this reason, you can actually bypass them much easier than other treadmills. However, you will need a few materials that you’ll likely have to go purchase. 

Firstly, you’ll need a small clip magnet. Typically, these magnets are used for keeping bags of chips closed or for holding things to the fridge. Generally, you’ll be able to find these clips at most grocery stores. 

You want one that is relatively strong, so check the force before you purchase them. 

After you have one of these magnets, cut some string to about four feet in length. Then, tie one end of the string to the magnet. 

Next, you can attach the clip to your clothes when using the machine. Then, if you happen to fall, the safety key will work similarly to normal. 

You could just use the magnet to start the machine without all the extra steps. However, this can be potentially dangerous since this key safety feature will no longer be working. For this reason, we don’t recommend it in the least. 

What Can I Use as a Treadmill Key?

If you lose your safety key, you can use a magnet that is decently strong and fits in the place of the treadmill key. You’ll need to do some shopping around to find something that fits this description perfectly. However, once you do, you shouldn’t have an issue placing it in the key slot and getting on with your workout. 

If you insert the magnet and the treadmill still won’t start, you’ll need to find a stronger magnet. Most machines require a decently strong magnet for this to work. Otherwise, it won’t register that it is there. 

What is the Red String on a Treadmill?

The red string on a treadmill is usually the emergency stop function. You simply put on the small clip that is attached to the string. If you get too close to the back edge of the treadmill, the string will stop the treadmill belt. Therefore, if you start going too slow for the treadmill, you don’t have to worry about falling off the back. 

Often, this safety belt will often replace the safety key. Usually, the red string is found on commercial treadmills when a safety key wouldn’t be very practical. After all, when you have so many different people using it, the key would get lost fairly quickly. 

Therefore, the red string method is often utilized instead. 

Conclusion On Will a Treadmill Work Without a Key?

Replacing the safety key on a treadmill is difficult, but it can be done. Sometimes, you’ll just be able to use a magnet in the place of the safety key. Preferably, you should attach this magnet to you so that you don’t have to worry about the treadmill continuing if you fall down or get too far behind. 

Alternatively, you can also change the wiring inside the treadmill to work without a key at all. However, this is understandably more difficult than just using a magnet. But it is a more permanent solution. 

With that said, it is highly recommended that you don’t bypass this safety solution. After all, this safety feature is added to most treadmills for a reason!