How to remove a broken key from a lock: what to do if the lock is jammed and the key does not turn. The key in the lock is broken How to get a broken key out of the lock

The option for locking an apartment requires the presence of some kind of locking device: a mechanical lock, electronic, magnetic. They are also unlocked in different ways: in the traditional way - with a key, using a magnetic card, or even more exotically - using a fingerprint or a retinal scan.

The key broke off in the lock

The most common, however, is the first option. However, despite the simplicity of this solution, it happens that the key breaks in the door lock and the opening becomes blocked. What to do in such cases?

Causes of breakdowns

All such damage to doors can be divided into 2 groups:

• wear and tear of the internal parts of the mechanism - locking is done using different methods, but in any case, with the exception of the magnetic version, there are some moving metal parts, the coincidence of which ensures the closing and opening of the lock. Accordingly, these parts wear out over time. Dust, dirt and debris that gets inside will accelerate wear. In addition, the quality of the metal matters: if soft alloys were used in the manufacture of the mechanism, the lock will fail much faster;
• key wear - this option occurs less frequently and is most often associated with the quality of the metal. This is especially true for Chinese fittings made from soft alloys.

Broken key

The breakdown occurs in almost the same way: the key fits into the keyhole quite easily, but when opening it only makes a partial turn, and then breaks due to the applied force. As a result, the door in the opening turns out to be closed and the key is broken.

Call the master

This method of solving problems is universal and is used when any locking mechanism of both an apartment and a car breaks down. Moreover, the more complex the design, the more advisable it is to contact a specialist, since independent attempts to open the door only aggravate the situation.

Call the Ministry of Emergency Situations

If the locking mechanism is standard, you need to find a locksmith. If the lock is special, then you need to call the company that installed this model. In especially severe cases, in order not to break into and reinstall the door unit, they contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The specialist enters the home through the window and opens the door from the inside.

However, in case of simple breakdowns and a simple device in the locking mechanism, you can try to act independently.

How to open a door if the key is broken in the lock

First of all, you need to pay attention to the position in which the item broke. If its fragment remains in a vertical or horizontal position, then pulling it out is quite simple. If they managed to turn it, then the situation is worse: the burrs can additionally wrap around the core of the lock, forming an extremely tight adhesion between the fragment and the larva. But even if it breaks so completely, you can avoid installing a new locking mechanism.

Removing the key from the lock

If the fragment is held relatively loosely, it may be enough to pick it up with your fingers to remove it.

If the locking mechanism is of a higher quality, you will have to use available means:

The most effective tool to pull out if the key in the door lock is broken is a jigsaw, or, more precisely, its cutting part. If you can get this device from a neighbor, for example, then the lock can be opened at any stage of locking. The jigsaw blade is inserted under the key inside the lock cylinder and carefully turned so that the teeth of the blade are on top. Then they pick up the stuck fragment with their teeth and pull it out.

File to help

This method is also suitable for removing debris from a car lock. The photo shows the removal of debris using a jigsaw.

Special methods

The listed methods are suitable for the most common deadbolt locks.

If, in order to avoid installing a new door block, you need to unlock the lever lock or disk lock, more sophisticated methods will be required.

To facilitate the process, its end is heated and then put on the fragment.

Having received the lever, it is turned and pushed out without much effort.

• • The disc lock can also be unlocked using a kind of vibration. The mechanism is first lubricated with machine oil, and then the lock is tapped with a hammer. The vibration releases the fragment and allows it to be removed with tweezers.
  • Installing a door block into an opening is a troublesome and expensive task, so it’s worth trying to avoid such an extreme solution. Alternatively, if the locking mechanism does not respond to any effort, it is simply drilled out with a drill. If you are careful, only the lock cylinder will be damaged - it should be disassembled and replaced. But the doorway and the door will remain relatively intact.

The video demonstrates what to do if the key in the door lock is broken.

There are many times in life when failure takes you by surprise. And basically, a person is not ready for it. For example, it just so happened that the key in the lock broke off and a piece remained inside the lock cylinder. What to do? Well, of course, if the fragment sticks out enough to be caught with pliers with thin jaws, then everything is clear: we grab onto the tip and pull it out. What if the key breaks and the piece doesn’t stick out?
I will show you two reliable ways to remove a broken key, leaving the lock completely working after all the manipulations.

Removing the key piece from the lock

Before proceeding directly to extraction, it is imperative to position the key groove exactly vertically, since if the movable cylinder of the cylinder is not vertical, the key will be impossible to remove.

Method one: scissors

As a rule, a stuck fragment can be picked out with the tip of a pair of scissors. Scissors are easy to get, their ends are always sharp in most cases. Therefore, we insert the tip into the recess and create a force on the fragment and in the direction of its extraction we try to pull out this fragment.

In thirty percent of cases, this method works, of course it all depends on how the key was broken.

In this case, I clearly show that everything worked out, although I still had to tinker.
Scissors are just an example as they are easier to find. In general, an awl, a sharp knife and other items will do.

Method two: drilling a groove

Now we move on to a complex method, but more effective.
The theory is this: in close proximity to the fragment it is necessary to drill a groove with a thin drill (1.5-2 mm). To do this, parallel to the key, you need to drill a hole to a depth of approximately 2 mm. Then drill a hole from the side, turning it into a groove. And then, at the same time, drill the key fragment itself, for a better grip.

So let's get started. It is better to do this with a cordless screwdriver. We drill a hole at a distance of approximately 1 mm from the groove and to a depth of approximately 1.5-2 mm.

Next, turn the drill at an angle and drill obliquely.

You need to be especially careful here, as the drill can easily be broken. Especially if it accidentally comes off. Under no circumstances should you rush.
If the groove is level, drill a piece of the key.

Well, then we take scissors and remove the fragment without any extra effort.

The tip fits perfectly into both the groove and the hole in the key.

We got this stub.

Checking the operation of the larva

Now, let's check the larva for performance. Insert another key and turn.

A key or a piece of it stuck in the lock will bring many unpleasant moments. If you are reading this article, then you are also in a difficult situation and want to know.

Despite the fact that lock manufacturers are constantly improving the quality of their products, releasing unique locking mechanisms that can withstand various types of hacking, keys, like many decades ago, sometimes fail their owners. They break at the most inopportune moment. Most affected people prefer to remove and throw it away, purchasing a new mechanism.

It would seem that this is the only correct option, but in fact there are other methods, the use of which will preserve the castle. All you need to do is simply remove the key piece. How to do this is described in detail below.

How to remove a broken key. Several effective ways

First of all, let's tell you how to remove the key from a door lock, if a conventional mortise lock with a rod key is installed. To do this, you just need to remove the side cover of the locking mechanism. After the fragment is removed, the lock is installed in place. Its functionality will not change in any way. Perhaps it is recommended to lubricate the internal mechanism to prevent the unpleasant situation from reoccurring.

Now let's tell you how to remove the key from a door lock, if a locking mechanism is used that cannot be disassembled. The easiest option is to use pliers, but this is only possible if part of the key sticks out of the keyhole.

If the fragment peeks out just a little and you can’t catch it with pliers, try using tweezers with sharpened edges. The work ahead will be “jewelry”, since you will have to not only securely cling to the fragment, but also carefully pull it out of the well. Considering that the area of ​​contact between the tweezers and the key is minimal, this is not so easy to do. You should rock the piece slightly until it gives way forward.

Some craftsmen advise taking two awls (or regular sewing needles), well sharpened. Each awl is inserted into the keyhole on both sides of the fragment and securely clamped together. As soon as you manage to fix the rest of the key, you need to pull the awl towards you. Gradually the fragment should move forward.

What other methods are there - a jigsaw file and super glue?

If none of the above has helped you, we recommend that you consider a few more methods: how to remove the key from a door lock. To do this you will need a certain set of tools and accessories:

• jigsaw file;
• thin steel wire;
• Super glue;

Each of the above mentioned things is intended for a separate method. Let's start in order.

The jigsaw file must be inserted into the keyhole with the teeth facing up. Then carefully and extremely carefully turn the file in any direction - the main thing is that the teeth pry off the fragment. As soon as the nail file securely adheres to the rest of the key, slowly pull it towards you, pulling the key out of the hole.

However, not everyone has a jigsaw file, but finding thin steel wire is not a problem. Carefully insert it into the hole and try to hook the fragment, gradually removing it from the hole.

Now let's move on to how to remove the key from a door lock using super glue. The method is quite original, but takes a little time. Apply glue to the head of the key that is still in your hand and press it against the piece of debris stuck in the hole. Fix the head and hold it for a while until the glue hardens. Its strength will be enough to remove the fragment, but in the future it is not recommended to use the glued key. This method is quite difficult, as it requires increased attention and accuracy. The slightest carelessness can lead to the keyhole being smeared with glue and the locking mechanism will have to be replaced.

What if you solder it without removing it from the lock?

That's a variety of options, how to remove the key from a door lock, does not end. In this part of the material we will offer several more methods for which you will need:

• liquid to combat corrosion and rust;
• brass tube and blowtorch;
• magnet;

In this case, each item has its own method of removing a piece of key from the keyhole. For example, you can use a brass tube, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the size of the fragment, that is, the tube will be put on the fragment with a certain force.

Using a blowtorch, slightly heat the end of the tube that you plan to put on the fragment. Then pull it over the remains of the key and wait a little until the tube cools completely. Then inject some anti-corrosion liquid into the keyhole. Now you can slightly bend the tube, turn the key and slowly pull it out of the lock.

Would you like to know another way? how to remove the key from a door lock? Use a regular magnet, naturally large in size. First, inject a very small amount of anti-corrosion liquid into the hole, and then, using a magnet, try to make the key appear at least a little above the level of the keyhole. Once this is achieved, then it’s a matter of little things. Use tweezers or pliers to pry up the key.

The key is not broken, but it is impossible to get it out

Situations are relatively common when a key gets stuck in new locks installed in a building. At the same time, it does not break, but when trying to remove it from the well, nothing happens. As practice shows, it is actually quite difficult to pull out the key without damaging the lock core.

Most often, the cause of such blocking is a broken spring under the pin, as a result of which it remains motionless and secures the key tightly. The second reason why the key is “blocked” inside the well may be internal parts made of soft raw materials. This leads to the fact that the pins again do not fall into the channels and fix the key without letting it out of the hole.

Don't be upset. There is a great way how to remove the key from a door lock in such situation. First, carefully lubricate the locking mechanism cylinder using the popular WD-40 lubricant. It is best to take an aerosol can, since the special nozzle will ensure the most accurate distribution of the lubricant. Next, use regular pliers. Hold the head of the key with them and carefully, moving it up and down, as if creating a slight vibration, begin to slowly pull it towards you. In most cases, you can remove the key. If you also managed to free it, be sure to replace the locking mechanism cylinder, since it is faulty and will cause you a lot of trouble and problems in the future.

However, it is only possible to remove the key in this way if the door is already open, and if the lock is locked, then you cannot do without professional help.

Summing up

Now you know several effective ways how to remove the key from a door lock. However, you should not think that one of them will necessarily become a panacea and help solve the problem.

In order to remove the fragment, it is necessary to show maximum dexterity, as well as rely on a lucky chance. Without a certain amount of luck, it is difficult to count on success. In particular, rash actions can lead to damage to the lock. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately seek help from professionals who know what to do in each specific case.

Every person may encounter such a situation when the key in the door lock suddenly breaks. Internal parts are subject to wear. Dust may accumulate on their surface. Not all lock owners provide proper maintenance. The key may get stuck, but it can be removed without damaging the mechanism. But there are situations when a piece of debris is buried in the depths of the castle, so access to the apartment is blocked.

There are several main reasons that lead to breakdown of the internal lock mechanism. You need to pay attention to them and try to prevent possible breakdowns:

• the internal mechanism of the lock is too worn;
• the surface of the key has worn off;
• Dirt has accumulated in the secret mechanism;
• foreign objects got inside the well;
• an error was made during opening (the key was not fully inserted into the mechanism, the person accidentally used another key).

Another most common breakdown and deformation is the use of low-quality materials during production. If the mechanism does not want to rotate freely when opening, then there is no need to use available materials and tools. The lock core must not be moved using a steel pin, hammer or pliers.

Ways to remove the key and open the lock

There are several proven methods that fall into several categories:

1. Gentle. You can try to preserve the internal mechanism of the lock. The main task is to remove the broken key without damaging the secret mechanism.
2. With lock damaged. When debris remains deep in the mechanism, it is necessary to disassemble the lock. In most cases, it can be completely restored, but sometimes replacement is required.
3. Rough. These methods are used as a last resort when other methods have not been effective and the lock cannot be removed naturally. In this case, you will have to replace the fittings and the door leaf itself.

You can try to deal with the lock yourself or call a specialist who can carefully fix the problem. More details about key extraction methods are described below.

Gentle

If the key remains intact and is simply stuck in the door lock, you can try to correct the situation using gentle methods. The main task is careful removal without damaging the internal pins. Contamination of the mechanism causes the key to jam. To remove the key, you must carefully remove dirt and dust accumulation. To do this, you can use one of the proven tools:

• machine oil;
• grease;
• WD-40;
• silicone liquid structure;
• lithol.

If you don't have these materials on hand, you can use regular sunflower oil. To carefully pour it inside, it is recommended to use a syringe with a thin needle. They begin to gradually wash the core with oil.

When the key remains inside the lock, it is strictly forbidden to make sudden movements. After washing, you need to carefully turn the key and slowly loosen it in different directions. To prevent your hands from slipping on the surface, you can use pliers.

Sometimes situations occur when the mechanism is blocked as a result of damaged parts inside the well. To remove the key, you need to lift the part using a pin or pin, which caused the mechanism to become immobile. These manipulations will help correct the situation.

To remove a broken key from a keyhole without damaging internal parts, you must use the following methods:

1. Oil. You need to work with it according to a similar principle as with extracting the entire key. It is recommended to use tweezers to grab the fragment if you can grab the protruding edge.
2. Jigsaw. This is the most effective method and is especially popular. It is recommended to use only the cutting part of the tool to remove the key. You need to insert the blade into the inner part of the core, which is located under the key. Next, it is carefully turned so that the teeth always remain in the upper part. The key fragment is picked up and pulled out.
3. Self-tapping screw. This method is suitable for thick fragments. You need to take a drill and drill a hole in the scrap. A self-tapping screw is screwed into the hole formed. Next, it is grabbed with pliers and pulled out along with the fragment.

You can try to remove the key using vibration. This is a non-standard method that is suitable for disk mechanisms. First, carefully lubricate the pins and move them into one position along with the debris. On the other hand, they begin to carefully tap the lock with a hammer to create vibration. As a result of this impact, the key gradually comes out. When its edge appears, you need to pick it up with pliers and remove it from the core.

Radical

If the methods described above do not help you get the damaged key, you can use radical methods. To do this, they dismantle the mechanism to get into the room. The choice of method for removing the secret depends on its design. You can quickly and easily handle cylinder mechanisms.

Radical methods of opening a lock do not involve the use of a chisel or hammer. During a rough break-in, the door leaf is deformed. It is important to minimize possible damage in order to preserve the door for further use.

To open metal doors that are equipped with strong and reliable locks, you must use professional tools. This is a grinder, a drill, a sledgehammer, a gas cutter. It is better to entrust the work to specialists who know how to use technology.

They will be able to unlock even lever locks and cope with tasks of any complexity. To open the front door, a hole is drilled along with the bolt shank. The main task of opening the door is the gradual destruction of the internal mechanism.

The following methods of influence can be used:

1. Knocking out the cylinder. To do this, remove the armor plate, which is located on the reverse side. Many door lock models do not provide this. Next, remove the screws and tap the cylinder with a hammer.
2. Prying the core. You can use hairpins, thin screwdrivers, an awl, or other similar materials that you have on hand. The tool is inserted into the well, and the pins in the secretion are lifted to release the fragment. The mechanism is fragile, so in most cases it becomes unusable. If you need to keep the lock, then movements must be neat and smooth.
3. Drilling the cylinder. This is a commonly used method to help open doors. The cylinder must be drilled above the well, the mechanism must be slightly turned and removed outward.
4. Twisting the lock. A gas key is used for work. The unscrewed cylinder protrudes slightly outward, so it is tightly grasped with pliers and turned 90 degrees. With sharp movements they pull him out.

To open an apartment or house, you can cut off the bolts in the door lock. They should be visible in the gap located between the box and the canvas. For work, it is recommended to use a hacksaw or grinder. You can cut out the lock. In this case, the door leaf will also have to be replaced.

Many modern designs provide protection and the presence of anti-removal bolts, so cutting off hinges is not possible in all cases.

What tools and supplies may be needed?

As improvised means, you can use hairpins, pins, sunflower oil and other lubricants. To unlock the mechanism and remove the damaged key piece, it is recommended to find the following tools:

• awl;
• jigsaw;
• pliers;
• screwdriver;
• nail puller;
• hammer;
• drill;
• Bulgarian.

Operating these tools requires experience and skill. Otherwise, you can radically damage the door leaf.

What to do to avoid a repetition of the situation in the future?

No one is immune from problems with locks, but preventive measures can be taken. They help minimize the likelihood of breakdown. The following proven methods can be distinguished:

1. The key must be inserted into the keyhole very carefully, without haste or sudden movements.
2. If the key is not inserted correctly or is slightly stuck, then it is strictly forbidden to pull it and pull it out with all your might.
3. The inside of the lock needs to be cleaned regularly. Dust, dirt and other particles can accumulate inside. If necessary, you need to clean the core using special means.
4. If the lock starts to work poorly, there is no need to wait for it to completely break down. You must immediately contact a specialist who can solve the problem and repair the damaged mechanism. If necessary, it must be replaced in a timely manner to avoid breaking the key.

Many experts recommend buying only high-quality locks from trusted manufacturers. There are several proven methods that will help you remove a broken key from a lock. Before choosing, it is important to assess the situation and the extent of the damage.

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Can't get into your own home because the key is broken? This situation can seriously upset anyone. However, knowing a few life hacks and using the advice of professionals, you can easily solve the problem.

Even if your neighbors are not at home, your phone is dead, and there is no one to turn to for help, you can solve the situation yourself.

Among the main reasons leading to the breakage of a lock key are:

• wear of the internal lock mechanism;
• getting dirt or small foreign objects into the well;
• using the wrong key, inserting it incorrectly (not completely or at an angle);
• short-lived material from which the mechanism and key are made.

There are only two solutions to the problem - removing broken remains from the lock or breaking the entire mechanism.

Types and characteristics of locks

Door locks are conventionally divided into 3 groups according to installation method:

• mortise;
• mounted;
• invoices.

The first type is one of the most aesthetic, since it is inserted directly into the entrance door leaf and is not conspicuous by its massiveness. These devices are best suited for metal doors.

Mortise locks can be called safe, since they can be additionally protected from breaking by special metal inserts.

The hinged version is rarely used in residential premises, since it is the simplest in structure: it is threaded through ordinary eyes. However, such mechanisms can well protect warehouses, cellars, basements and other outbuildings.

Overhead mechanisms are often placed on the door indoors, so they can protect against thieves if the owners are at home. Such a lock cannot be seen from the outside, and accordingly, attackers have no opportunity to break it.

Necessary tools to remove the lock from the door

In order to get the rest of the key from the door well you may need:

It is by pouring lubricant into the lock field that you need to start working. Wait 10-20 minutes until the oil is distributed over the surface, this will greatly simplify the process of pulling out the broken remnant. Immediately after this, they begin to extract the key.

How to get a broken key out of a keyhole

First, you should try to disassemble the lock to the maximum possible level if the door is already open. To do this, unscrew all the bolts with a screwdriver, use pliers or ordinary tweezers to pull out the fragment, and then the mechanism is cleaned and generously lubricated. Immediately after this, the castle is reassembled.

In cases where it is not possible to get into the house in any other way, the problem can be solved using one of the simple methods:

Using awls or pins

1. Two thin awls (or pins) are inserted into the gaps between the key and the lock at the top and bottom.
2. With light rocking movements, the fragment is gradually pulled out.

Using small screws

1. A hole with a diameter suitable for the existing screws is drilled in the middle of the fragment.
2. One self-tapping screw is carefully screwed into the hole, and then slowly pulled out along with the rest.

Using a jigsaw file

What to do if the rest of the key is not retrieved

If all methods have been tried, but the fragment stubbornly refuses to leave the keyhole, you can try one of the following methods:

Pulling out the lock cylinder

If you remove the cylinder - one of the key elements of the locking mechanism - the debris can be easily cleaned out and the door can be opened with a screwdriver:

• if the cylinder is in a protruding position.

Its end is clamped with a gas or other round key and rolled up, and then the lock is opened with a flat screwdriver;

• if the cylinder does not protrude.

Any type of nail puller will help: first remove the top cover, and then, according to the previous algorithm, use a gas wrench.

Drilling a cylinder

You can drill out the central part of the lock with a drill:

• use a drill with a diameter of 6-10 mm to pull out the cylinder;
• the damaged cam of the mechanism is pulled out;
• Use a bent screwdriver or thick wire to move the lock bolt and open the door.

Pulling out the fragment with a metal tube

You will need a brass or copper tube:

• the diameter must correspond to the remaining outside part of the key;
• pressing strongly, the tube is put on the protruding pin;
• using a soldering iron, melt the end of the tube;
• the tube is attached to the fragment in the lock, waiting for it to completely harden;
• With a sharp movement, the auxiliary part is pulled out along with the rest of the key.

But the video will tell you how to open interior doors without a key.

When will you need to break the door itself?

1. All gentle methods have been tried, but there is no result.
2. There is a small child in a locked house.
3. There is a burning smell or smoke coming from behind the door.

In other cases, it is better to contact specialists who will be able to open the entrance to the house with minimal losses.

Who should I contact for help?

If there is a piece of key left in the lock and it is impossible to open the door without outside help, you should call special services:

• Housing office, house management company.

Specialists should come to you within 1 hour and try to solve the problem in a gentle way. At the same time, they have the right to demand that you present documents proving your residence in the apartment.

If the living space is rented, you should call the owners in advance and ask them to come with documents.

• Commercial services.

Having found the phone number of such a company on the Internet or on leaflets next to mailboxes, you should make sure that their employees are ready to provide their work permits and a service agreement.

For their part, they have the right to demand a passport confirming registration in an apartment or house with a jammed lock. Some companies do without presenting documents, but you will have to pay several times more for their services.

If, while solving a problem, a door needs to be broken, for an additional fee some services can restore the integrity of the entrance to an apartment or house and install a new lock.

How to prevent the key from breaking in a door lock?

To avoid an unpleasant situation, experts recommend following simple rules:

1. Lubricate the keyhole from time to time.
2. Use only keys suitable for the mechanism.
3. Regularly inspect the lock for dirt and foreign objects.
4. Near the entrance, it is advisable to keep an “alarm” bag with tools that will help deal with the problem that has arisen.

How to quickly open a lock

If a piece of the key remains in the lock and prevents the door from opening, you can use several gentle methods. They will not damage the mechanism and will protect you from the need to purchase new equipment. If these methods do not help, you will have to use additional tools, but then the integrity of the lock will be compromised.

Sometimes you cannot do without additional services from specialists, which can be obtained from a management company or a commercial company. To avoid such problems, the easiest way is to regularly monitor the condition of the lock, lubricate and clean it.