Snap! My Key Just Broke in the Lock. What Now?
It’s a frustrating moment we all dread: you put your key in the lock, give it a turn, and snap!—half of the key is now stuck inside the lock. You’re left holding the other half, feeling stressed and not knowing what to do.
First, don’t panic! This is a very common problem, and it’s almost always fixable without damaging your door. The most important thing you can do right now is not to try and force the broken piece out yourself.
As a local locksmith, I’ve seen countless DIY attempts that have turned a simple extraction into a costly lock replacement. Here’s what you need to know and what to do next.
Why Did My Key Snap in the First Place?
A snapped key is often a symptom of an underlying issue. A key will usually snap because of one of the following reasons:
The key is worn out. Over time, the metal of a key can become weak and brittle, especially if it’s a copy of a copy.
The lock is worn out. The internal mechanisms of your lock might be gummed up with dirt or debris, or the parts may simply be worn from years of use. This creates friction, causing you to force the key.
The lock is misaligned. Your door may have dropped or shifted slightly, causing the lock to be misaligned with the strike plate on the frame. This forces you to push and pull the door to get the key to turn, which puts stress on the key.
The wrong key was used. If you accidentally tried to use a key for a different lock, it can easily snap when forced.
What NOT to Do When Your Key Snaps
Your first instinct might be to grab the nearest pair of pliers or a screwdriver and try to pull the broken piece out. Please don’t do this!
Don’t use pliers. Using pliers will likely push the key further into the barrel, making it much harder to extract.
Don’t use super glue. We’ve all seen the videos. This is a surefire way to permanently damage your lock, as the glue will stick the pins and the key together, requiring a full replacement of the lock cylinder.
Don’t use a screwdriver or other tools. Using a tool to pry the key out can damage the delicate pins inside the lock barrel, meaning the lock will no longer work and you’ll need to buy a new one.
The Only Solution: Call a Professional Locksmith
The best and safest option is to call a professional locksmith. We have a set of specialist tools specifically for extracting broken keys, and it’s a quick, simple job for us.
Fast and clean extraction. I can remove the broken piece without any damage to your lock, often in just a few minutes.
Identify the underlying problem. Once the broken piece is out, I can diagnose why your key snapped in the first place. I can then re-lubricate the lock, adjust the door alignment, or replace the cylinder if necessary. This prevents the problem from happening again.
It’s a much cheaper and less stressful solution than trying to fix it yourself and ending up with a broken lock and a huge bill.
If you have a snapped key stuck in your door right now, take a deep breath and give me a call. I’ll get it sorted for you quickly and without any fuss.