Replacing the battery in your Honda Civic can automatically trigger a radio reset. If so, you’ll need your radio code to use your car’s sound system again. You can find the code that overrides this security measure in your glove compartment, owner’s manual, or online.

To the typical car owner, knowing the codes and serial numbers for each part of your car isn’t typically a priority. That is until you run into a problem that requires a code to fix—like your Honda’s radio code.

Designed to help prevent stereo theft, radio codes are sometimes required to restart your sound system after the battery dies. But how do you get your Honda radio code?

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Why do I need a Honda Civic radio code?

So you’ve recently replaced your car’s battery, and you’re feeling pretty good about getting your car back in working condition—until you slide into the driver’s seat for the first time and realize your radio doesn’t work. You're probably a little confused if you’ve never seen your radio blinking with the “code” message.

Don’t stress out—nothing’s wrong with your car! Your radio will ask for a code if the battery recently died or has been replaced. It’s part of a built-in security measure that helps protect your sound system from theft, but unfortunately, your car can’t tell the difference between a would-be burglar and you just trying to listen to your favorite jams.

Luckily, finding your Honda Civic radio code is pretty straightforward and should only take you a couple of minutes.

How to find your Honda Civic radio code

Before you start rummaging for your radio code, try this trick: just press and hold down the radio's power button for a couple of seconds. Within two or three seconds, your radio should automatically reset itself.

In most instances, that’s all it takes to get your radio back to working order—but if that doesn’t work, you’ll need the radio code.

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Your car’s 5-digit radio code can be found in the glove compartment or your owner’s manual. It’s usually printed on a sticker or label, along with your radio’s serial number and, in some cases, navigation codes. Look for the words “Anti-Theft Radio Code” or something along those lines. Remember, your Honda Civic radio code will only be five digits. Anything longer than that is likely a code for something else.

How to look up your Honda Civic radio code

Let's say you bought your car used and can't find any trace of a sticker or the owner's manual. If that's the case, you'll need to manually look up your radio code, which involves a couple of extra steps.

Before you can look up your radio code, you’ll need to get your vehicle identification number (VIN) and the radio serial number.

You can find your 17-digit VIN on several documents, including your car’s registration and insurance, or on the lower lefthand side of your windshield. Finding your radio’s serial number, on the other hand, is trickier and will depend on the age of your vehicle:

For Honda Civics year 2002 and newer: Press and hold down your radio’s preset numbers one and six simultaneously. While holding these buttons, turn your key to the ON position (your car won’t start, but the electrical features should turn on). After a few seconds, a 10-digit serial number should appear on the display.

For Honda Civics year 2001 or older: In older models, the serial number is physically printed on the back of your radio unit. This means you'll have to remove it to access the number. If you don't know how to remove it, it's best to let a technician do the job to avoid causing damage to your dashboard.

Once you’ve got both numbers handy, you’re ready to look up your radio code! You can use Honda’s

OEM site

to retrieve your radio code or call client services at 1-800-999-1009.

If you’re having trouble accessing your serial number (or if you just want to avoid the hassle) you can always set up an appointment at your local Honda dealership, which should have all the information you need to uncover your radio code. They might even give you the information over the phone.

MORE: What you should know about the Honda Civic battery draining problem

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