There’s nothing like that sinking feeling of going to unlock the door and hearing a ‘snap’ in place of the usual ‘click’.
But before you turn to despair, there are some DIY hacks you can try to solve the problem.
If your door key breaks or snaps off in the lock, you might be able to use some everyday household items to free it. In this guide, we explain a few of the most effective ways to get a broken key out of a lock and advise when to call it quits and contact a locksmith.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
Tools you may need to remove a broken key
Using Household Items to get a Broken Key out of a Lock
Using Specialist Tools to get a Broken Key out of a Lock
When to Contact a Professional Locksmith
Assessing the situation
In the midst of a crisis, it’s tempting to try anything in a desperate attempt to make things right. However, it's essential to approach a snapped key on a case-by-case basis to avoid causing lasting damage to your lock.
Typically, broken or snapped keys will present in one of two ways
Either the key’s sharp metal edge (the section that snapped) will protrude from the lock, or the entire broken fragment will be lodged inside the lock chamber.
Because there is a section of the key to grab onto, removing protruding keys is far easier than removing those that are entirely within the lock.
If you don’t have the necessary tools to hand or you don’t feel confident attempting to free the key yourself, contact an accredited JustFix locksmith. Our Fixers operate across the country to provide you with access to emergency locksmith services when and where you need them.
Tools for getting a broken key out of a lock
Household items:
- Lubricant (see notes above)
- Needle nose pliers or small nose pliers
- Tweezers
- Bobby pins
Specialist equipment:
- Single/double hooked key extractors
- A jigsaw/hacksaw blade
If you don’t have these items to hand, it’s best to call a specialist JustFix locksmith. They can help you remove your broken or snapped key from your lock without causing lasting damage to your door or the locking mechanism itself.
Before you begin removing the key from your lock
If you’re prepared to commit to the DIY route, begin by lubricating the lock to reduce friction. We recommend a dry lubricant such as graphite powder for indoor locks (including the front door) and a silicone-based lubricant for outdoor locks.
Although oil-based lubricants can help loosen the key fragment, they can damage the lock in the longer term, so we recommend avoiding these. After applying the lubricant to the lock’s interior, remove the excess residue from the outside area.
Using household items to get a broken key out of a lock
There are three different methods for getting keys out of locks using household items. The best method for your situation will depend on how the key is stuck inside the lock.
Getting broken protruding keys out of locks
With any luck (and a few completed DIY projects under your belt), you might have a pair of pliers handy. Needle-nose pliers or small-nose pliers are best for removing broken keys from locks.
To extract a key which is protruding from the lock, simply use the pliers to grip the exposed edge and carefully pull it out.
If you don’t own pliers, you can use a pair of tweezers to remove a protruding key in the same way.
If the tweezers are thin enough to squeeze into the gaps at either side of the key, they can remove a completely lodged key in the lock.
This method requires precision, however, and there’s a risk of the key being pushed deeper into the lock, so proceed with caution.
To attempt removing a protruding broken key using pliers or tweezers, follow these steps:
1. Use the pliers or tweezers to pinch the sides of the protruding key fragment firmly
2. Gently pull the key toward you
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the key slides out or until you can grasp it with your fingers
Removing broken keys that are lodged deep inside locks
In situations where the key is lodged deep in the lock and out of reach of bulkier tools, thin objects like bobby pins or paper clips may be the ideal solution. These can fish out the broken key when moulded to create tiny picks.
Follow these steps to try removing the key:
1. Take two paper clips or bobby pins (hair grips) and unfurl them into straight lengths of metal.
2. Slide one unfurled clip or pin down either side of the key inside the lock until you feel resistance.
3. Try gripping the key's end or sides with the clips or pins and gently pulling it towards you.
4. If you manage to move the key slightly out of the lock so it protrudes enough to grip, you can switch to one of the other methods (pliers or tweezers) to finish the job.
Be warned, this is usually a slow process involving many micro-movements, so patience is another essential tool!
Using specialist tools to get a broken key out of a lock
If you have professional equipment in your toolkit (or you can wait for some to be delivered), there are other methods you can use to get the key out of the lock.
Single or double-hooked key extractors
Key extractors are specifically designed for this purpose, so they offer the best chance of removing your snapped key from the lock.
To use one, simply insert the tool into the lock as far as it can go, hook it onto the groove of your key, and pull it out.
Once the key protrudes, you can remove it with tweezers or pliers.
Hacksaw or jigsaw blades
Our final method of getting your broken key out of the lock is to use a small hacksaw or jigsaw blade. The serrated edge acts similarly to a key extractor and can be used to pull it out by gripping onto the grooves in the key.
Follow these steps to remove your key using a hacksaw or jigsaw blade:
1. Cut a strip out of the ridged section of the blade, ensuring the barbs run right to the end.
2. Make sure your blade piece is trimmed thin enough to fit into the lubricated keyway.
3. Slide the key into the lock with the barbs pointing downwards and hook it onto the key fragment.
4. Gently pull until the key begins to slide out.
5. Once the key is protruding, use your fingers, pliers, or tweezers to finish the job.
Be extra careful when using this method. Hacksaw and jigsaw blades are incredibly sharp, and you could easily injure yourself while trying to free your broken key.
If you don’t feel confident following this method or don’t have the right protective gear, contact a professional JustFix locksmith.
When to contact a professional locksmith
If you don’t feel comfortable attempting any of the methods we’ve shared in this guide, don’t worry! Sometimes, it’s best to just call the professionals to come and help get things sorted.
At JustFix, our qualified locksmiths work up and down the country, providing top-quality services at fair, fixed prices. Whether you need a locksmith in London, Essex, or somewhere else in the UK, we’ll connect you with a local professional in minutes.
Better yet, our Fixers are fully insured, and all their work comes with a 12-month guarantee from the day of completion, so you can relax knowing that whatever we fix stays fixed.
FAQs about getting broken keys out of locks
Can you use super glue to get a broken key out of a lock?
You may have read that you can remove broken keys from locks by placing a dot of super glue at the end of a small object like a pin or paperclip, but we don’t recommend this method.
You could end up causing further damage to the lock, making it trickier for a Locksmith to solve the problem, or you could get the object stuck inside the lock along with your key.
Why did my key get stuck in the lock?
Your key could have snapped off in the lock for several reasons, including that it was bent or damaged, wear and tear on the lock cylinder, or a buildup of dirt or debris. A locksmith can determine if your lock needs a little TLC to avoid further incidents.
Keys can get stuck in locks for a range of reasons, including:
- The key being bent, worn, or damaged
- Wear and tear on the lock cylinder through repeated use
- A buildup of dirt or debris in the lock
- Corrosion of the pins in the lock’s pin chamber
Extreme temperature changes can also cause the materials in locking mechanisms to expand and contract, increasing the chances of keys getting stuck or not working correctly.
What should I do with my broken key?
Although you won’t be able to use your key again, if you successfully remove it from the lock, keep both halves safe. A locksmith may need a reference to cut a new one.
Can a handyman get a broken key out of a lock?
If they have relevant training and prior experience, a local handyperson may well be able to get a broken key out of a lock. To ensure things get fixed the first time, we’d always recommend contacting a professional locksmith who is specially trained in the relevant field.
Something else on my window or door is broken; who should I call?
If there is an issue besides a broken or snapped key in the lock of your window or door, we recommend contacting a JustFix door and window repair specialist. They have the training and experience needed to address any problems and advise on the most appropriate solution.
