Have you ever experienced the frustration of breaking a key inside a lock? Whether it’s your car, your house, or your office, a broken key can ruin your day. But don’t panic! There are some simple and effective ways to remove a broken key from a lock without damaging it or calling a locksmith.
In this guide, we will explain the topic of how to remove a broken key from a lock and provide some general tips and precautions to avoid further damage. We will also show you four different methods and tools that you can use to extract the broken key yourself, along with some examples and illustrations. By the end of this guide, you will be able to handle any broken key situation with confidence and ease.
Common Causes and Scenarios of a Key Breaking Inside a Lock
There are many reasons why a key might break inside a lock, but some of the most common ones are:
- Wear and tear: Over time, keys can become worn out, bent, or cracked, making them more prone to snapping when inserted into a lock. This is especially true for older keys or keys that are used frequently.
- Forceful turning: Sometimes, people apply too much force or pressure when turning a key in a lock, either because the lock is jammed, rusty, or frozen, or because they are in a hurry or stressed. This can cause the key to twist and break inside the lock.
- Wrong key: Occasionally, people might insert the wrong key into a lock by mistake, either because the keys look similar or because they have multiple keys on a keychain. This can result in the key getting stuck or breaking inside the lock.
If you find yourself in any of these scenarios, the first thing you should do is not panic. Panicking will only make the situation worse and increase the chances of damaging the lock or injuring yourself. The second thing you should do is not force the key out. Forcing the key out will only push it deeper into the lock or cause it to break further, making it harder to remove.
General Tips and Precautions:
- Inspect the lock and the key: Before attempting to remove the broken key, you should inspect the lock and the key to see how much of the key is visible and how deep it is inside the lock. This will help you determine the best method and tool to use for extraction.
- Lubricate the lock: Applying some lubricant, such as WD-40, to the lock can help loosen the broken key and make it easier to pull out. You can spray the lubricant into the keyhole or use a cotton swab to apply it. Be careful not to use too much lubricant, as it can damage the lock or make it slippery.
- Use the right tool: Depending on the situation, you might need a different tool to remove the broken key. You may need pliers, extractor, saw blade, glue, or magnet.. We will explain how to use each of these tools in the following sections.
- Be gentle and patient: When using any of these tools, you should be gentle and patient, and avoid applying too much force or speed. You should also try to wiggle the key slightly to see if it moves or comes out. If you feel any resistance or hear any clicking sounds, you should stop and try a different tool or method.
3 Best Methods: How to Take out a Broken Key from a Lock
After discussing the tips and tricks to consider while abolishing a broken key from a lock. Let’s come to the topic and discuss best methods to remove a broken key from lock.
Method 1: Use a Pair of Needle-Nose Pliers
One of the simplest and most common methods to remove a broken key from a lock is to use a pair of needle-nose pliers. These are pliers that have long and thin tips that can grip and pull-out small objects. You can discover them in any hardware store or online.
To use this method, you will need:
- A pair of needle-nose pliers
- A flashlight (optional)
Here are the steps to follow:
- Locate the broken key: Use a flashlight to see how much of the key is visible and how deep it is inside the lock. If the key is not visible or barely visible, you might need to use a different method or tool.
- Grip the key with the pliers: Insert the tips of the pliers into the keyhole. Try to grip the broken key as close to the edge as possible. You might need to adjust the angle or position of the pliers to get a good grip. Make sure the pliers are not touching the lock or the keyhole, as this can damage them.
- Pull the key out: Once you have a firm grip on the key, gently pull it out of the lock. You might need to wiggle the key slightly to loosen it. Do not pull too hard or too fast, as this can cause the key to break further or damage the lock.
- Dispose of the broken key: After you have successfully removed the broken key, you should dispose of it properly and safely. Do not try to use it again or glue it back together. This can cause damage the lock or cause the key to break again.
Method 2: Use a Broken Key Extractor Tool
Another method to remove a broken key from a lock is to use a broken key extractor tool. This is a tool that has a hook or a spiral tip that can catch and remove the broken key. You can find this tool in any locksmith shop or online.
To use this method, you will need:
- A broken key extractor tool
- A flashlight (optional)
Here are the steps to follow:
- Locate the broken key: Use a flashlight to see how much of the key is visible and how deep it is inside the lock. If the key is not visible or barely visible, you might need to use a different method or tool.
- Insert the extractor tool into the keyhole: Insert the tip of the extractor tool into the keyhole and push it until it reaches the end of the broken key. You might need to adjust the angle or position of the tool to align it with the key. Make sure the tool is not touching the lock or the keyhole, as this can damage them.
- Hook the key with the extractor tool: Once the tip of the tool is in contact with the key, gently twist or turn the tool to hook the key. You might need to wiggle the tool slightly to catch the key. Do not twist or turn too hard or too fast, as this can cause the key to break further or damage the lock.
- Pull the key out: Once you have hooked the key, gently pull it out of the lock. You might need to wiggle the tool slightly to loosen the key. Do not pull too hard or too fast, as this can cause the key to break further or damage the lock.
- Dispose of the broken key: After you have successfully removed the broken key, you should dispose of it properly and safely. Avoid reusing or fixing it. It can harm the lock or snap the key
Method 3: Use a Jigsaw Blade or a Hacksaw Blade
Another method to remove a broken key from a lock is to use a jigsaw blade or a hacksaw blade. These are blades that have teeth that can cut through metal or wood. Get these things from hardware stores or online. You need:
- A jigsaw blade or a hacksaw blade
- A pair of gloves
- A flashlight (optional)
Here are the steps to follow:
- Locate the broken key: Use a flashlight to see how much of the key is visible and how deep it is inside the lock. If the key is not visible or barely visible, you might need to use a different method or tool.
- Cut a notch in the key with the blade: Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the sharp blade. Insert the tip of the blade into the keyhole and try to cut a notch in the broken key as close to the edge as possible. You might need to adjust the angle or position of the blade to align it with the key. Make
- Pull the key out with the blade: Once you have cut a notch in the key, gently pull it out of the lock with the blade. You might need to wiggle the blade slightly to loosen the key. Do not pull too hard or too fast, as this can cause the key to break further or damage the lock.
- Dispose of the broken key: After you have successfully removed the broken key, you should dispose of it properly and safely. Do not try to use it again or glue it back together. This can damage the lock or cause the key to break again.
Video Guidance:
Here is the video guidance to assist you to know how to get a key out of a lock. Let’s discover the easy methods to make it easy it for you.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to remove a broken key from a lock. By following the steps and tips we have provided, you should be able to handle any broken key situation with confidence and ease.
However, if none of these methods work for you, or if you are not comfortable or confident in trying them. You might need to call a professional locksmith service. A locksmith can remove the broken key from the lock quickly and safely. An expert can also repair or replace the lock if needed.
We recommend Patriot Locksmith Service in Kansas City as a reliable and professional locksmith service. Their service can help you with any broken key situation. They have the experience, the equipment, and the skills to handle any type of lock and key problem. Their professional team offer affordable and quality service.