Stop turning, keep both pieces, and do not push anything else into the keyway. If you cannot get it out with a light pull, call a locksmith.
Keys wear out. A key that has been bending for years usually picks a cold morning or a bad night to give up. Here is what we tell people when they call us about it.
What should I do first?
Take your hand off the door. Do not try to turn what is left, and do not put the other half back in to push. Hold on to the piece you still have, because it can help when a new key is made.
Can I get it out myself?
If a piece is sticking out far enough to grip, a straight, gentle pull with small pliers may do it. If it is flush with the face of the cylinder or deeper, leave it alone. Each thing you push in can drive the piece further back.
What should I stay away from?
- Super glue on a stick. If it runs, now the pins are glued too.
- Bobby pins and paper clips. They snap, and then there are two things stuck in the lock.
- Forcing the door. A bent frame is a much bigger job than a broken key.
What can a locksmith do?
We take out the broken piece and check that the cylinder still works. If the door is locked, we open it. If the lock is fine, you need only a new key.
Can you make a new key from the broken one?
Often, yes. Bring both pieces to our shop inside Tejada Hardware at 601 East Tremont Ave, and we can usually cut a new key from them. If you have a spare, bring that too, because a copy from a good key is better.
How do I keep it from happening again?
- Replace a key once it looks bent or the edge is worn thin.
- Keep a spare with someone you can reach.
- If a key has to be forced, get the lock looked at. The lock may be the real trouble.
Stuck at the door now? Our phone line runs 24/7. Call (929) 335-2112, or text a picture of the lock, and we give you a written quote before any work starts.