When a key wears down over time, eventually it becomes so weak that when you use it in the lock, it snaps. Sometimes just the tip of the key snaps, but the key can snap in half and become jammed in the lock.
This blocks the keyway, and even if you have a spare, because the key stuck in the lock won’t allow you to put a new one in, you’re effectively locked out. In other situations, when you have a warped key or a faulty lock, the pins and tumblers of the lock can grip hold of the key inside the lock so you can’t remove the key.
If you gently wiggle it, then you can get it out from being stuck inside, but other times it holds the key too tightly to be able to take it out. There are lots of DIY methods online for stuck key extraction and snapped key removal, and they might work to remove broken keys, but we recommend calling a professional locksmith.
If you start poking around in the lock when the key breaks, the broken key piece can end up damaging the lock, and you’ll need a brand new one, as opposed to a locksmith using a dedicated key extractor kit.
When you’re dealing with a jammed key in Knightsbridge, call Knightsbridge Locksmith on 07309909989 to get it resolved fast instead of damaging your lock.
We operate as a 24-hour locksmith service in Knightsbridge and the surrounding areas, so when you’re dealing with a broken key or key stuck in the lock, we’re just a phone call away. We will try all the methods at our disposal to get you back inside fast and cut you a new key.
We work fast to extract the key using our specialist hook tools to slowly pull the key from the lock without damaging it, so we can identify whether the issue is with the key or the lock.
Our locksmith team supports both residential and commercial property owners, and we’ll always provide clear pricing before we undertake any actions on your door lock.
Different types of door require different locking mechanisms, but you can be sure that when you call Knightsbridge Locksmith, we have the tools to deal with any kind of lock assembly.
For timber doors with mortice locks, if you put the wrong key in and force it, then the pins won’t align and can grab the key, making it impossible to retract it. When you have a Euro cylinder lock that has worn out, the same thing can happen.
In these cases, we can gain entry to the property and then discern the best course of action, which may be a new multipoint locking system installed or just a new gearbox if it has failed.
As opposed to being locked out of your house due to a broken key, if you’ve tried to lock the door at night and the key has snapped, you can be locked in. This is a serious security risk in case of fire, so you should call our services straight away. We can gain entry from the outside or come in the back door to assess the issue and fix it.
Alternatively, if you have a key for use on an internal door such as a home office or bathroom, and it has snapped or got stuck in the lock, then we can assist with this too. We take steps not to damage the door or door frame when gaining access, and we can restore operation quickly, installing a new lock if the old lock and key are no longer viable.
We don’t recommend sticking a bobby pin or paper clip in the lock if there is a key broken inside it. Instead, get in touch with your local SW1 locksmith as we have all of the tools we need to get it out, and our method works every time without damaging the door or the lock.
You have a better chance of saving the lock if you get in touch with us first, as we determine the exact cause and never put too much leverage inside the lock housing which could cause further damage.
We advise that calling a locksmith is the best thing to do if you have a key snapped in the lock or stuck fast, but if you think you can resolve the issue yourself, here are some methods to remove a stuck key.
Remember at all times that you should never try to force a key or the lock, just gently twist the visible end or remove it straight out. You can try and use any of the following:
If you can see the end of the key, then you might be able to pull it out carefully with some thin pliers. Grip one end and secure it, then pull back gently on it to see if you can extract it, but avoid pushing it deeper.
Never spray an oil lubricant like WD-40 into the lock or you could make the situation worse. Use a small amount of dry lubricant or tap some graphite powder into the lock for lubrication so you can extract the key safely.
You probably don’t carry one of these around, but if you’re locked in and have one for backup, then you can use the tools inside to engage the key and remove it without damaging the pins.
More than that, sometimes you can use a very thin blade from a saw to slide past the key and grip it. Don’t use too much pressure; just move it alongside the key and hook it to pull it out safely.
Rather than poking the lock with whatever you can find, choose our company, a professional locksmith in SW1. We will work fast to:
If the issue was with your lock instead of the key, then you can ask our team about the options available to you. For the most cost-effective option, you can request to have the lock rekeyed, which involves changing the pins so that a new key will be required.
If the lock is old and has experienced failure of the gearbox or other internal parts, then we advise a full replacement, and we have a wide range for you to choose from.
Getting a professional locksmith to help with a key stuck in the lock isn’t as expensive as you might think. Here at Knightsbridge Locksmith, we don’t charge call-out fees for emergencies, and you’ll only pay for the labour and any parts we use to fix the lock.
We will always provide our customers with a clear and transparent price before we start any work, and there are no hidden extras. In the vast majority of cases, we can resolve the issue in under half an hour when there is a key stuck in the lock.
We won’t recommend replacing the lock if it’s not broken, as many times we find the issue is with the key itself, due to being poorly copied as opposed to an issue with the lock. We’ve helped hundreds of customers in the SW1 area with exactly the same problem, so instead of trying to remove the key yourself, get in touch with our team 24 hours a day and get your lock situation resolved the same day.
We accept many forms of payment, including cash, debit card on our card reader, as well as solutions like Apple Pay and Google Pay. If you need any adjustments to the lock after we’ve solved your situation, you can always call us back, as the products we use and the labour we undertake are all guaranteed, and we have an excellent aftercare service.
With our 24/7 service, you can be sure that our locksmiths are able to arrive on scene fast if there is an issue with your key stuck in the lock, or broken inside.
As verified key makers, we can cut you a new key only for the the locks we are installing. What’s more, when we’ve extracted the key, we can perform lock maintenance such as using silicone lubricants (not oil-based lubricants) through a spray nozzle to prevent the lock from seizing again.
Our team is here to answer any questions about your lock, and sometimes we’ll resolve the situation over the phone by providing helpful advice for a key stuck in the lock.
We have locksmiths in your local area, so before you start to panic about being locked out, take a deep breath and call our locksmith services on 07309909989.
Yes, we can, and the methods we use vary depending on the type of lock, but if one doesn’t work, then we have many other methods at our disposal. We will always assess the situation to decide on the best course of action, and we have a magnifying glass tool to view inside the lock.
In most cases of a key broken in a lock, you won’t need a new lock if the internal mechanisms haven’t been damaged. If the lock was at fault rather than the key, then we can show you a range of new locks to replace it with.
