How to Enter a Becker Radio Code

When a Becker radio has lost power, it asks for its code before it will play again. This guide covers putting the code in once you have it. If you do not have it yet, our Becker radio code finder checks for free whether your code is on record, and this guide shows where to find the serial number it needs.

When the radio asks for the code

Switch the radio on. A locked Becker unit shows CODE in the display, and that is when the code goes in.

What your code looks like

That depends on the radio. Many Mercedes-Benz units, such as the Classic, Exquisit, Audio 10 and Audio 30, have a code of five numbers entered on the station preset buttons, so every number is between 1 and 4 on a radio with four presets, or between 1 and 6 on one with six. Other radios, including most Porsche units, have a four digit code. Our finder shows what yours looks like before you pay.

Entering the code on the preset buttons

Press the preset buttons in the order of the code, one press for each number. A code of 2 1 1 4 3 means: press button 2, then button 1, then button 1 again, then 4, then 3. The code email we send shows the sequence for your serial number in exactly this form.

Confirming the code

Many units need one more press to accept the code. The operating instructions for the Audio 10 BE3100 describe the whole sequence:

1. The display shows CODE.
2. Enter each number with the buttons 1 to 4. The position you are on is underlined and blinks.
3. After the last number you can still correct the code as often as you like.
4. Confirm the finished code with one of the arrow keys (left, right, up or down). The radio starts playing.

Other models confirm with a different key, so if your radio does not start after the last number, check the operating instructions for your unit rather than pressing keys at random.

Radios with a code knob: the Audio 10 BE3200

Not every unit uses the preset buttons. On the Audio 10 BE3200 the display also shows CODE, but you choose each number with the right-hand knob: turn it until the number you need appears, press it to move on to the next position, and repeat for all five numbers. More on this model on our Audio 10 radio code page.

Two Porsche examples

Porsche's Becker radios mostly have four digit codes, and the steps differ between models:

• CR-210 and CDR-210: the display shows CODE with a flashing C. Enter the four digits on the numbered buttons below the display. After the fourth, the first digit flashes and you can still correct the code, but only by entering all four digits again. Confirm by pushing the signal seek switch. More on the CDR-210 radio code page.
• CR-220 and CDR-220: the display shows CODE followed by four stars. Each correct digit makes one star go out, and the radio switches on by itself after the fourth, with no confirm step. More on the CDR-220 radio code page.

If the radio shows WAIT

After repeated wrong codes a Becker radio shows WAIT and refuses new attempts for a while. On the Audio 10 BE3100, three wrong codes lock it for 10 minutes. The Porsche CR-210 and CDR-210 manual spells out the full sequence: three attempts, then a 10 minute WAIT, three more attempts, and so on; after nine wrong attempts the wait becomes 60 minutes, and every further failure costs another 60 minutes. The waiting time only counts down while the radio is switched on, so leave it on until CODE comes back.

Do not keep guessing. Every wrong attempt costs time, and a guessed code is almost never right. If a code from us is not accepted, stop and get in touch: we refund you if it does not work.

Common mistakes

• A misread serial digit. The code belongs to the exact serial number, so one wrong digit gives a wrong code. Check the label again, photographed and zoomed in.
• The wrong model. Radios with the same name on the front are often different models. Go by the BE number on the label.
• A code from a forum or a code generator. Every code belongs to one serial number. On a radio whose code is five numbers from 1 to 4, a four digit number such as 1530 can never be right.
• Not confirming. If the numbers are right but nothing happens, the radio may be waiting for the confirm key.

Get your code

If you do not have your code yet, check for it here. Checking is free, you only pay if we have it, and the code is emailed to you automatically. Popular models have their own pages: BE1150, BE2010, BE1690, BE1490, Audio 10 and BE4705 Audio 30 APS.