What To Do If Your Key Gets Stuck In The Lock

It will happen to us all at one time or another; you slide your key into your door lock—and it sticks. Maybe you are still able to open your door, but the key won’t come out. Or maybe the key won’t even turn to unlock your door. Or maybe the key breaks off in the lock entirely. As a residential locksmith in Scarborough, we have seen it all. Turn to the tips below to remove your stuck key.

Don’t Force It

This is one instance where strength will not serve you well. If you try to force your key to turn or slide out of the lock, you run the risk of your key breaking off in the lock—or of further damaging the lock.

Try Some WD-40

Begin by spraying some WD-40 into the lock chamber. This may be enough to safely remove your key, but keep in mind that you still need to have your lock repaired or replaced. No WD-40? Try a spray cooking oil instead.

If Your Key Breaks Off In The Lock

For a quick fix, grab a pair of tweezers and try to remove your key. If this doesn’t work, your key will need to be removed by a professional. There are a few factors that can lead to a key breaking off in your lock:

Using a bent key

Using an old/worn key

Worn or faulty lock hardware 

24-Hour Residential Locksmith

Even if you are able to remove your stuck or broken key, you will want to reach out to a professional locksmith to assess the condition of your lock. Your stuck or broken key may be a sign of a faulty chamber, so you want to have it repaired ASAP.

Action Locksmiths is a 24-hour residential locksmith serving the Scarborough community. Call us the next time you have any problems with your locks or keys.