How to Make an Elevator an Express Elevator

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 9, 2022 References

Say you're on the first floor and your meeting is on the tenth. You get in the elevator, but you don't want it to stop because you'll be late. Here are some hacks to help get you to floor faster.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Button Codes and Other Methods

1
Press and hold your floor. In some elevators, simply pressing your floor and holding it will do the trick. You have to hold the button all the way to your floor.^{[1]
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2
Use the "Close Door" button. When you get on the elevator, press the "Close Door" button. Often, this button will be two triangles pointing in towards each other. Continue holding the "Close Door" button as you push your floor. In some elevators, this combination will give you an express ride.^{[2]
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- This combination often works on Otis, Desert, and Dover elevators.
- Note that sometimes the "Close Door" button is just a placebo for impatient riders, so this trick may not work.
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3
Cancel other highlighted floors. In some elevators, you can cancel floors that have already been pressed. Of course, if people see you do so, they will probably not be very happy. Or, they may press their floor button again. ^{[3]
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- The simplest method is to double press the button, which works in Mitsubishi Electric. In other brands, such as Fujitec, pressing it five times works. Another method is to hold the "Open Door" button while pressing the floor button twice.^{[4]
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4
Use your foot. Some people suggest that you can use your foot to keep the door from opening. Simply put your foot on the middle of the elevator door, covering the edges of the door. In theory, the sole of your shoe will keep the door from opening on floors.^{[5]
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5
Ask your building manager. If you're cozy with your building manager, you may be able to get the secret elevator code from him or her. However, you may need to promise to use it only for good.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the Master Key

1
Ask for a copy of the master key. The master key will give you an express ride if you have one. Your building's manager should have a key, and if you have enough clout, you may be able to just ask for a copy of the key.^{[7]
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2
Ask your firefighter friends. Firefighters have master keys that work on most elevators, as they need them in case of emergency.^{[8]
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- However, understand that your firefighter friend is likely to be reluctant. Putting master keys in the hands of the public can be dangerous and possibly even illegal. Check the legality of having such a key in your area.
3
Check eBay. If you fail in your quest, you can also check eBay for master keys. You can look for all-access keys that should work in a variety of elevators. Most of these have four sides to work in multiple types of elevators.^{[10]
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- Buying keys is somewhat of a legal gray area. Check to see if it's legal in your state before purchasing one.^{[11]
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- However, to make sure the key you buy works on your elevator, you may need to do a little research. Look at the make and model of your elevator, which is usually listed inside the elevator. Use that information to find out what kind of key it takes.
4
Use the key. To use the key, insert it in the keyhole when you get in the elevator. You may need to try more than one if it's four-sided. Leave the key in. Push the button of your floor to get an express ride.^{[12]
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Community Q&A

Question

Are master keys rare to collect? Does the building manager always give master keys?

Adrian

Top Answerer

No, the master key is usually only given to the custodian and to maintenance workers.
Question

What if I cancel other highlighted floors, and the person riding with me gets angry?

Community Answer

Just apologize and ask them what floor they need, and then press the button for them.
Question

When elevator is idle, it seems to always return to the 10th floor. What's the trick?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Every elevator is programmed differently. Perhaps that is the middle floor of your building, giving it the smallest amount of reaction time to go to any floor. Perhaps that floor is the zero position of the engine controlling it, or it's the floor where most people get on and off.

Warnings

Realize that these hacks will not work on every elevator. In fact, some people contend that the code hacks do not work at all.

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Use these hacks sparingly, especially in large office buildings, where there are busy people with places to be.

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