What to do if the key is stuck in the lock. What to do if the key is stuck, the lock is jammed, or the door does not close well? The key is broken in the lock

There are many things that all drivers are afraid of. One of the problems that instills fear is a stuck key in the ignition. Many car owners, faced with a similar problem, begin to panic and try to pull the key out of the lock. But usually these attempts are futile - nothing comes of it. In this case, do not try to force the key out of the lock, as this may break it.

Also, you should be aware that any key in the ignition should be easily pulled out of the lock after turning the key fully counterclockwise. If the key does not come out of the lock after turning, then you should understand the possible causes of the problem. We will talk about this in detail, having found out not only the most common problems with stuck keys, but also all the ways that will help get a stuck key out of the lock.

How to find out why the key is stuck in the ignition?

Anyone is a complex technical device that can have many problems and breakdowns. The hardest part about any car is diagnosing the problem. After all, many signs of a malfunction can often point to various components of the car. Including it is not very easy to determine the cause of the key being stuck in the ignition switch.

If you find that the key is not pulled out of the lock, you need to be patient and in no case smack the fever. But many motorists sometimes find it difficult to control themselves when an unpleasant problem appears in the car. Especially if the car key does not come out of the lock. After all, according to the law of meanness, as always, this happens at the wrong time.

Often, with a stuck key, many drivers begin to look for some kind of aids that they believe will help them get the key out of the lock. For example, some car enthusiasts try to pull the key out with pliers.

Do not under any circumstances do this. If you try to force the key out of the lock, you risk breaking it. Thus, you will only multiply the problem. After all, not only do you have to pull out the rest of the key from the lock and then restore the broken key, you may also have to spend money on a new lock cylinder.

We hope you will heed our warnings and take advantage of our advice if you encounter such an unpleasant problem. Now let's take a closer look at some points that will help you diagnose a possible problem with a key stuck in the ignition.

1. Check if the ignition is completely off

If your car has a key stuck in the ignition, the first thing you should do is ask yourself the question: did you turn off the engine? At first glance, this is a stupid question. But you will not believe how many drivers every day, trying for hours to get the key out of the ignition in various tricky ways, then suddenly find out that the engine was not turned off to jam the key in the lock.

Vehicles using push-button start (Keyless Car Entry) do not usually experience this problem.

• So, if you can't get the key out of the ignition, first check if you turned off the engine and turned the key fully counterclockwise.

Often, drivers do not fully return the ignition lock cylinder to its place in order to freely remove the key from the lock. This means that the ignition is still on and you will not be able to pull it out.

Understanding this problem will save you from divination on coffee grounds and protect you from rash actions that can damage not only the key, but also the ignition lock.

If you tried to solve the problem with the key in this way, but the attempt was unsuccessful, then you can safely cross out the ignition on from the list of possible causes of the key being stuck and proceed to the next step in solving the problem.

2. Check the steering wheel

You should be aware that if your car's key won't come out of the ignition, it doesn't necessarily mean that all the problems are inside the lock cylinder. Sometimes the key may not be pulled out for other reasons. For example, did you know that the ignition key can get stuck in the lock because of the steering wheel? The fact is that the steering wheel, in addition to controlling the direction of the car, is also an addition to the ignition switch. In addition, the steering wheel can be blocked by the ignition switch. Why is this needed? Now we'll tell you.

Usually most cars do this as a safety measure. Thus, the steering wheel lock is necessary to prevent the car from moving when the ignition key is not in the ignition and when the car engine is turned off. Including the steering wheel lock is not removed if someone else's key is inserted into the ignition lock.

When you insert the "native" key into the lock, the steering wheel is unlocked. However, since the ignition switch is tightly coupled to the steering wheel, a locked steering wheel may cause the key to get stuck in the ignition switch.

• What to do first: To fix the problem, you will need some time to unlock the steering wheel, which will eventually unlock the key in the ignition. To do this, you need to slowly turn the steering wheel left and right (even if the steering wheel is locked, it will still have play, allowing you to rotate the steering wheel in different directions). At the same time, you should, by gently and slowly pressing on the key, try to turn it in the lock. Ideally, this movement of the steering wheel and key should unlock the ignition and allow you to safely remove the key from the ignition.

As in the first case, this problem of key lock due to steering wheel lock is quite common. And, as you can see, it is quite easy to solve. Therefore, if your car has a key stuck in the lock, then you should first try to remove the key, as described above. But, alas, not everything is always so easy and simple. Often problems with a car ignition key can be more complex.

3. The key in the ignition lock can simply break.

Nothing is permanent in our world. Including the ignition key, which can simply break inside the lock and get stuck in it. This may happen in the following cases.

So, the key may break due to the fact that you have already inserted a broken, crooked or cracked key into the ignition. In the world, many drivers neglect the condition of car keys, postponing the solution of this problem until later. As a result, it breaks in the ignition at the most inopportune moment.

So in any case, the ignition switch. If your key has become unusable (cracked, bent), do not try to repair it or force it into the lock. You risk breaking it and getting a headache in the form of a stuck key.

It is also possible to break a normal key if used incorrectly. For example, turn it too hard in the lock or try to turn the lock with the key not fully inserted.

• What to do first: Usually, if you broke the key, you will quickly find out about it by removing the rest of it from the ignition. But don't panic. Depending on the complexity of the key and ignition lock design, you may be able to remove the rest of the key from the lock yourself or you will have to contact a locksmith who will easily solve the problem.

If you successfully remove the rest of the key that is stuck in the ignition switch, we advise you to still have a car mechanic inspect the lock cylinder before using a spare ignition key.

4. Ignition cylinder problems

Determining that something is wrong with the ignition switch is much more difficult than everything that we have told you above. The fact is that if the key is stuck in the ignition, you first need to determine what is the cause - the key itself or the lock.

Naturally, if you broke the key, then by pulling it out of the lock, you will immediately find out what is the reason.

• What to do first: But sometimes it is very difficult to determine this. For example, if you still turned a broken key in the lock. How, then, to find out that the problem with a stuck key is connected precisely with the lock cylinder or with its larvae? This usually involves first making sure you don't have a problem with the key itself. If you are sure that the key is not broken, then most likely the probable cause of the key blocking is in the lock itself.

5. Dirty ignition switch

Sometimes the ignition key can get stuck in the lock for other reasons. For example, if the key is not pulled out, then dirt in the lock may prevent its movement in the lock cylinder. Unfortunately, many automakers do not protect the ignition keyhole with a special plate.

As a result, over time, a large layer of dirt forms in the lock, which can cause the key to get stuck. By the way, sometimes dirt can even lead to breakage of the key. In this case, you must use some kind of lock and key cleaner. For example, .

6. Key wear

Since the car key is often stressed, it may wear out over time (the teeth of the key may grind off). In this case, the key may simply not unlock the lock due to a mismatch between the teeth of the key and the lock larvae.

• What to do first: In the end, you will have to use a spare car key or order a new one. But in some cases, the key, which, due to its wear and tear, did not coincide with the lock cylinders, may get stuck inside. In this case, try to pull the key back a little (usually, if the key is stuck, there is still play).

Then try turning the key slightly to the right and left. Then insert the key all the way back in. It is quite possible that this method will help you still pull the key out of the lock.

Car key won't come out of ignition

Naturally, if the key is stuck in the lock, you will need time to understand the causes of this problem. You also have to think about how to fix the situation and how you will get the key from the lock.

Here are some of the possible solutions that can help you when you can't get the key out of the lock:

1) How to get a broken key out of the ignition?

If your car key is stuck in the ignition due to the fact that it broke inside, you must first assess the situation in order to understand who will solve the problem - yourself or a car mechanic.

The process of extracting a broken car key is not overly complicated, but it can cause additional problems if you do it incorrectly.

Most people, of course, prefer to do everything themselves, so as not to throw money away on the services of a car mechanic. But remember that you must weigh the risks as well. After all, if you break the ignition lock, you will spend much more money than you give to a car repairman in a car service or a locksmith in a garage for pulling a broken key out of the lock.

If you are confident in your skills, then ignore our warning.

Here's how to get a broken key out of the lock using improvised means

So, to get the rest of the broken key, you can use a jigsaw file, fish hooks, wire, etc. Your task is to pick it up in the lock and gradually push it out so that you can then completely remove it from the lock with pliers.

In principle, in most cars, the process of removing a broken key from the lock is exactly the same as when a regular key is stuck in a door lock.

Here is a video from which you will also learn how to remove a broken key from a door lock:

That is, in principle, depending on the design of the car ignition lock, you can use the same tools that professionals use when pulling broken keys from door locks.

A broken key means you'll have to bring a spare car key. You also have to order a new key or make a duplicate. Unfortunately, in most modern cars, a simple duplicate will not work, because inside the original key, most likely, there is an immobilizer chip containing a unique code that is read by the car's security system when you insert the key into the ignition. However, if you have a spare factory key, you have nothing to worry about, as you can order a new key from the dealer, but for now use the spare one.

2) Replacing the ignition lock cylinder

As we previously mentioned, the key can get stuck due to problems with the ignition lock cylinder. In this case, you will have to consult a locksmith who can repair the lock, for example by replacing its cylinder. This is much easier as he will be able to accurately diagnose the cause of problems with the ignition lock cylinder. In addition, the locksmith can tell you if the lock can be repaired or if you have to buy a new one.

Keep in mind that if you are, then he will first have to remove the key from the lock before he begins his work.

3) Search for other reasons for blocking the key in the ignition

As we have already said, the steering wheel lock may be the cause of the key getting stuck in the ignition. But in addition, the key may not be pulled out of the lock for other reasons not related to the lock itself. So, for example, the key can be blocked if the automatic transmission is set to "Drive" (D) or "Reverse" (R). In many cars, in order to prevent the car from stalling while driving due to the key being pulled out of the lock, the key lock in the lock is activated when the above modes are engaged on the automatic transmission. In this case, the problem is solved by turning on the "Parking" mode (P).

Including in some cars, the key in the lock may be blocked due to the discharge of the battery. If your key is stuck in the lock for this very reason, then you should forget about the key itself and focus on the battery. You need to restore its work. To do this, charge the battery or purchase a new one. In this case, the problem with the key will disappear by itself.

In this case, we do not recommend trying to remove the key from the lock. You risk damaging not only the key, but the lock itself. Yes, yes, even due to the discharge of the battery, the key can really be blocked in the lock in the same way as if you had broken it. So there is no need to act according to the principle “power is no mind”.

4) Lubricate the car key

There is another solution you can use if your car key is stuck in the ignition. Just try to lubricate it first, for example. This remedy is great if the key is stuck in the lock due to dirt. This simple solution may help you get the key out of the lock. After removing the key, also treat the lock cylinder separately with WD-40 by injecting the tool into the larva itself. Also treat the key itself with a cleaner.

5) What should I do if the car key is bent?

Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that if your key has become unusable, then it is better not to use it anymore, as this may lead to a breakage of the key inside the ignition lock. But, alas, for example, if the key is bent for some reason, then this, as a rule, happens at the most inopportune moment, when we definitely need to go somewhere urgently. In this case, you can try to straighten the key. But after straightening, be sure to inspect the key for cracks. If they are not, then you can safely use the recovered key.

However, we do not advise you to use such a key for a long time, because when the key is bent, the integrity of the metal structure is violated. As a result, the key will break anyway sooner or later. And, most likely, this will happen inside the ignition switch.

How to fix the key? To do this, you will need a rubber or wooden mallet. Place the key on a firm, flat surface and hit the key with a hammer, pressing it against the surface. Never attempt to straighten the key with pliers or by inserting the key halfway into the ignition lock. So you can definitely break not only the key, but also the ignition lock.

Outcome

• Do not try to remove the key when you see that the car key does not come out of the ignition. Take the time to evaluate the possible causes that led to this problem, and then decide on the next course of action. This can be either a call to a locksmith, or an attempt to remove the key from the lock yourself.

• Pay attention to other components of the car. These include the steering wheel, gearbox(especially if your car has an automatic transmission) and which may have run out of battery.

• If you think the key is stuck due to an obstacle inside the lock, lubricate the key and ignition cylinder with WD-40 cleaner. If after processing the WD-40 lock you managed to pull out the key, then process the WD-40 key itself and the lock cylinder separately. If your key is broken, use a tool to carefully remove the key from the lock.

• If the car key is stuck in the ignition as a result of a problem with the ignition cylinder itself, then remember that this problem is more difficult to diagnose while the key is inside. Usually in this case you can not do without professional help. Please note that if the key is stuck precisely because of problems with the lock cylinder, your independent further actions can lead to a complete breakdown of the lock, which is fraught with the purchase of a new lock, which costs a lot of money.

Sometimes, at the most unexpected moment, you may encounter such a nuisance as a stuck key in the lock. Almost no person is immune from this, regardless of what kind of locking mechanism is in his door, whether it is an expensive high-quality brand or a budget model. Of course, if the key is stuck in the lock, then the simplest and most correct solution would be to contact specialists who can quickly remove it, but there are often situations where it is not possible to call for help. In this case, you can try to extract the key yourself, using our tips. But first, let's look at the reasons that can cause the lock to jam. This will help you understand the problem and prevent it from occurring in the future.

The key is stuck in the door lock, possible causes

There may be several reasons why the key is stuck in the door lock, these are:

• Damaged key. Using the key for other purposes (opening bottles, as a lever or screwdriver, etc.) can lead to its deformation, which will cause the locking mechanism to jam.
• Poor quality key. Applying excessive force during rotation will change the geometry of the key, made of poor quality materials, or - an inaccurately duplicated key.
• The lock is not lubricated, the mechanism is operated in conditions of high humidity. Corrosion will quickly do its job and disable the locking mechanism.

Also, in addition to the main reasons, there may be those that are not directly caused by the operation of the castle, such as:

• attempt to open the door with a master key;
• debris, glue, or other items inside the mechanism;
• a door that was originally installed skewed or sagged over time.

If the key is stuck in the door, you should not try to pull it out using brute force, this may result in its breakdown and, accordingly, the complication of the problem.

How to remove a stuck key

The reasons listed above will help in most cases to prevent this problem, but if the key is stuck in the lock, how to pull it out yourself? Here are some practical tips from our experts:

• spray the keyhole with WD-40 spray or inject kerosene into it with a syringe;
• after a couple of minutes, move the key in those directions in which it is possible for a better distribution of the lubricant;
• re-lubricate or introduce kerosene;
• wait 15 - 20 minutes;
• try to remove the key by shaking it from side to side, and at the same time pull it towards you.

If you cannot remove the stuck key, then you should repeat all the operations again. Pliers can be used, but in this case extreme care must be taken not to break the key.

What to do if the key is stuck in the lock and broken?

But what if the key is stuck in the door lock and breaks during the extraction process? In this case, you need to call the master, although you can try to remove the chip yourself, since there is a high probability that the lock has already been unlocked with grease, and the key has broken at the very end of the operation to remove it from excessive force and try to open the door with a duplicate to replace the locking mechanism . You can extract the chip in the following ways:

• Pliers or tweezers. But this is possible if a piece sticks out of the castle, which you can grab onto.
• Powerful magnet. It can work if the key is made of high quality metal.
• Jigsaw file. It is necessary to break off the fastening tip, lead it along the rod and, turning the teeth towards the fragment, pull it towards you.

In any case, if the key is stuck in the lock, even if it was successfully removed, the mechanism should be replaced to prevent this problem from occurring in the future.

What to do if the key is stuck in the door lock, and all of the above methods did not help?

You have a key stuck in the door lock, what to do if you can’t remove it yourself? There is only one answer - call a specialist. The fact is that one of the common causes of lock jamming is a broken spring, as a result of which the pins fell out and fixed the key. Our Spas-Zamkov company has been providing assistance throughout Moscow and the region for many years, and also offers services for the replacement and repair of locking mechanisms at the most affordable prices in the region. Our operators work around the clock and will promptly send an experienced master to you to solve the problem.

Sometimes everyday situations force us to act unconventionally. Such situations include, for example, the key getting stuck in the keyhole. . If this happens, it will not be possible to enter the apartment or leave it. What to do in this case, and how to get home - we learn from the article. We will consider all the currently existing methods of extracting a key stuck in a keyhole from a keyhole.

Why can the key get stuck

If your key or lock is broken, the master opens the door in 10 minutes. But if you are not a master. then this article is for you.

Read how to open the front door lock without a key.

We will find out what reasons most often cause the key to get stuck in the lock.

Most often, an unpleasant and troublesome situation is caused by the use of a key for other than its intended purpose. So, sometimes beer bottles are opened for them, something is hooked, opened. As a result of such manipulations, the key may bend, deform.

Deformation of the old key becomes a common cause of it getting stuck in the keyhole.

Find out what to do if the front door lock is jammed.

With a strong and sharp slamming of the door with the key in the lock, the mechanism may jam. As a result, the key becomes impossible to pull out.

If you ordered a new key from the master, and tried to open your front door with a brand new product, the situation with its jam may well occur. The reason for this is poor-quality turning of the material. If the shape of the key blank is broken, this can also cause an unpleasant situation.

There may also be a factory defect in the lock. But in this case, the key should be stuck shortly after installing the new mechanism. If you have been using the lock for more than a year, the reason is most likely different.

Sometimes jamming of the pins (blocks) of the locking mechanism occurs. As a result of this, the key is, as it were, clamped in the device without any possibility of freely coming out.

Sometimes even a misaligned door can be the cause of a key getting stuck. If dirt or any debris gets into the keyhole, this may well lead to jamming of the mechanism.

Sometimes when you try to turn the key hard in the well, it breaks. As a result, the chip sticks out inside, and in our hands we have most of the key with the head.

The technology for replacing locks in the front door is described.

How to get the key

If the key is jammed, and you can’t pull it out or turn it in any way, a series of sequential actions must be taken. Let's describe them in more detail.

How to install overhead locks for the front door is indicated.

The first step is to calm down and try to gather yourself, discarding panic moods.

If the problem occurs while you are inside the apartment, you can look for WD-40 fluid, which is often used in repairs. This solution is based on kerosene, which can help "revive" the jammed elements of the device. You just need to sprinkle this liquid on the well, and wait for a while.

In the absence of such a liquid, you can use motor or even vegetable oil to lubricate the mechanism. Even such funds can help old and possibly rusted parts of the castle to work again. In addition to kerosene, oil and a special solution, you can also lubricate the lock with grease or liquid silicone.

Lubricate the mechanism with a lint-free cloth or just your finger, but do not use cotton pads, swabs and sticks. The fact is that the villi of the material can get into the mechanism, and then it will finally jam.

How to change the lock on a metal front door will help you understand.

After you have lubricated the well with an appropriate agent, wait a bit, and then begin to gently swing the key to the sides.

Lubricate the lock again, and try to get the key out. It is advisable to simultaneously swing it to the sides and pull it out: this will increase the likelihood of a successful outcome of the “operation”. But do not swing too hard, as there is a risk of breaking the key altogether, and then it will be much more difficult.

If your hands slip or do not obey, pull out the key with pliers, only without jerking, but smoothly. If such manipulations led to a successful result, the lock must be changed: it is no longer possible to rely on it. The next time the opportunity to pull out the key may not appear, so it is better to warn the problem in advance.

If the key is made new, then a possible reason for its jamming is that it has not yet “got used” to the lock. Introducing machine oil into the keyhole may help. In this case, it is necessary to loosen the pliers slightly and pull the key out. And if the fact is that the lock is very old, and its internal mechanism has rusted, you will have to tinker. It is necessary to pour engine oil into the well, while stirring the key all the time. We’ll warn you right away that in this case you won’t be able to cope quickly: if the lock is very rusty, then you may have to carry it for several hours.

More difficult cases

If simple pulling out did not work out, you will have to take more complex steps to pull out the key. Let's consider these methods in more detail.

If the key does not give in, and their wells do not come out, you will have to get to the core of the mechanism. This method is suitable if the lock is a cylinder.

Diagram of a cylinder lock.

To get to the cylinder part, you need to knock out the larva with some improvised means. With a successful hit, the larva will fall apart into two parts.

After that, it can already be easily removed from the lock. Take a screwdriver and push it on the lock plate, trying to push the tongue. After several attempts (or even the first one), the door usually opens.

It also happens that the key gets stuck in the lock, and you have not even had time to slam the door. In this case, you can consider yourself very lucky. Since with this scenario, it is much easier to get to the key core: you do not need to knock down and knock out anything. Just carefully open the lock mechanism at the end of the door, and unscrew the fastener that prevents the key from getting out. After the key is removed, it is necessary to change the larva in the lock: after all the manipulations, the old one will no longer work.

If the key gets stuck only when the door is opened and closed, and when the sash is in the open position, the mechanism works without problems, it's not the lock: the skewed door frame is to blame. The fact is that when skewed, the tongue of the locking mechanism cannot get into the proper hole on the frame, so the key stops working in the opening / closing mode. The situation can be corrected by boring with a file or a frame drill with a hole for the tongue. And the elimination of the door warp will fundamentally correct the situation. But this is a serious matter, requiring a certain skill and carpentry experience, therefore, without preparation, it is not recommended to correct the skew on your own: it is better to hire a master.

What you need

We will find out what useful tools and devices will help to cope with the problem. So this is:

• screwdrivers: cross and flat;
• jigsaw and file from it;

• grinder saw for severe cases;
• awl;
• hammer to knock down the lock, if no other methods help;
• hairpin or paper clip;
• drill;
• tweezers;
• wire cutters or pliers for easy removal of the key;

All these items, of course, will not be needed, but two or three of them will be very useful.

Extreme measures

If none of the above remedies helped, and you need to get home urgently, you will have to take not the simplest, but urgent and rather radical measures.

The first thing that comes to mind is to knock out the door by force. You can also cut the lock bolts with a grinder or a hacksaw. But for this it is necessary that these same crossbars be visible in the gap between the door leaf and the frame. You can completely cut out the entire lock, but this will greatly damage the door. In principle, a suitable insert of the appropriate metal, welded on the deformed area, will then help to hide the "traces of the crime."

Of course, the use of any of these extreme methods entails the subsequent mandatory replacement of the lock. However, at the moment you will get into the house, which was what was required to be achieved.

You may also be interested in information on how to install .

Preventive measures

What simple preventive measures will help prevent the situation with the key getting stuck in the keyhole.

From time to time, any lock needs cleaning and lubrication. The mechanism is iron, which means it is prone to corrosion - especially if it is inexpensive. Regular cleaning of dust and dirt, and lubrication with oil or kerosene will help prevent parts from failing.

Cleaning goes like this:

• A cleaning liquid or simple kerosene is poured into the keyhole.
• The key is then inserted and turned several times to the closed and open positions.
• After every two or three turns, take out the key and wipe it from dirt.
• So repeat until the key comes out of the well clean.
• Pour engine oil into the well, and turn the key again several times.
• After that, it is necessary to wipe dry all the soiled parts of the lock and the key.

What is an electronic lock on the front door you will find out.

Such a simple cleaning will save you someday from an unpleasant force majeure.

Periodic treatment with an anti-corrosion compound is also necessary, and also (if the lock goes directly to the street) - with an anti-icing agent.

If the lock is padlocked (for example, in a garage), then in order to protect the mechanism from dirt, dust and precipitation, you can put the top of a plastic can or other simple protection on top of it.

Experts recommend equipping the front door with two locks. This will help to lock the door if the key suddenly gets stuck in the first lock: after all, you need to go to work, and there may be other urgent matters. Two locks will “insure” each other, and will allow you to exclude a hopeless situation, when you can’t leave the apartment, and urgent matters are waiting.

How to install an invisible lock on the front door will tell you.

Have a phone number with you, a business card of a special service or a master who can help in case of such a force majeure. This will save your nerve cells, and you can quickly fix the problem. And at worst, when there are no devices at all, there are no neighbors, and it’s cold outside, the door can be broken open. But only if it is wooden: a metal model can hardly be handled alone, especially if it opens outwards.

Video

This video will show you how to get a broken key out of a lock.

We looked at various ways to extract a key stuck in a keyhole. Now you can quite competently deal with this problem, if it arises. Our tips will help you deal with any type of lock - therefore, after reading the article, you, one way or another, will be able to get home.

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Installing a lock in not only securely fix the sash in the closed position, but also organize a protected personal space for family members with different daily routines, habits or interests, as well as prevent pets from entering unwanted areas. The presence of constipation on the doors is especially important for young families who do not have their own housing and are forced to live with their parents. In offices and other public areas, locks on interior doors are installed primarily to protect against intrusion by unauthorized persons.

An unexpected breakdown of the lock at , can lead to blocking of people inside the room. Often, time does not allow waiting for the arrival of the master, even worse if the owner of the apartment is inside the room and does not have the opportunity to open it - in these cases, you have to solve the problem on your own, as soon as possible and with the help of improvised tools. Solutions largely depend on the type of lock, its internal structure and the cause of the breakdown.

The main causes of failure

To open the lock, you should first identify the cause of the breakdown. Typical reasons include:

1. Jamming due to the gradual accumulation of dirt and dust or foreign objects entering the mechanism.
2. Worn or damaged door lock mechanism.
3. The key is stuck in (usually this happens when using a poor-quality duplicate or a damaged key).
4. The door was deformed due to moisture or warped as a result of improper installation.
5. Lost the key to the closed door.
6. The key is broken in the lock.
7. The door handle broke off.
8. Children accidentally locked themselves inside the room.
9. The door was slammed shut by a gust of wind, and the key remained inside the room.

1. Opening with an improvised master key.
2. Removing the door from the hinges.
3. or pens.
4. The use of physical force.

The best solution is to completely dismantle the lock. At the same time, the door leaf remains intact, and the lock itself can be safely inspected, the cause of the malfunction identified and eliminated, cleaned, lubricated and reinstalled.

Ways to open locks in various situations

Most models of interior doors do not differ in structural strength; it will not be difficult for an adult to knock out a canvas or break a lock with force in case of blocking. However, in this case, the canvas can be seriously damaged, which will require expensive repairs or replacement of the entire structure.

If the lock on the door is broken do not immediately apply physical force - excessive load can only exacerbate the problem, permanently disable the lock or damage the door leaf. All actions should be carried out carefully and without haste.

Having calmly studied the situation and identified the cause of the problems, you can try to apply one of the following methods:

• One of the most versatile ways to open the door if the lock is jammed is to remove the canvas from the hinges. This method is used for all types of breakdowns, and the possibility of application depends solely on the design of the loops.

It is not difficult to disassemble standard overhead loops, it is enough to pick up a strong cylindrical rod with a length of at least 10-15 cm from improvised materials (in extreme cases, even a wooden pencil is used) and a hammer (or any other heavy object). With the help of a rod, a steel finger is knocked out of the fist connecting the loops - the loops are separated, and the canvas is easily removed.

In order to separate the screw-in structures, you need a gap above the upper end - by prying and lifting the canvas, the door is removed from the canopies.

It is almost impossible to remove the canvas from hidden loops.

• In the event that the key is stuck in the lock or the lock is jammed, clean all accessible parts with a stiff brush or brush (one of the reasons for such a breakdown may be clogging or the presence of foreign objects). After mechanical cleaning, the mechanism is lubricated with machine oil or cleaned with a WD-40 spray.
• You can pull out the broken key from the lock with pliers (if it is possible to grab the break point) or get it out using a bent paper clip, prying the stuck chip by the grooves.
• A common cause of tongue jamming is a broken or weakened spring. If the tongue is jammed and turning the handle or key does not move it, a ruler, plastic card, knife or other object is used. By inserting a flat object into the gap between the sash and the jamb, and gently pressing on the tongue, you can open the lock. In a similar way, and with the help of the same improvised means, an accidentally fallen latch is raised.
• When slamming a lock with a rotary key in the form of a key, you should carefully examine its surface - in most designs a miniature, almost imperceptible hole will be found. By inserting a needle, nail or other thin metal object into the hole and pressing lightly, you can unlock the lock.
• If the padlock is broken, unscrew the fixing bolts with a screwdriver or improvised means (coins, knife) and remove it.
• If, when the door was suddenly closed, the latch moved a few millimeters and part of it entered the counterpart, it is enough to gently squeeze the canvas with a chisel, screwdriver or other tool.
• If the key is lost, you can try to open the lock with a curved wire or paper clip by inserting it into the hole and carefully turning it at different depths. The mechanisms are not particularly complex, this method may well lead to the desired result.
• If the cylinder lock breaks (the lock is stuck, the key cannot be removed from the well, the cylinder does not turn even with the key), you need to remove the decorative trim and remove (knock out or drill out) the lock cylinder. After that, the mechanism that controls the crossbars is hooked with a metal wire.
• If the key remains in the lock on the reverse side, and the door suddenly slams shut, you can try to put a thick sheet of paper or cardboard in the gap under the sash and try to push it out with any thin object. The dropped key is carefully pulled out along with the enclosed sheet of paper.

Key stuck or broken in front door lock- common situation? If not, then the locking mechanism is doing its job perfectly. But what if the key is stuck and does not want to move in the keyhole or, worse, is broken?

Any of these situations can unbalance a person, because it is impossible to get into an apartment, but it is not clear what to do. Don't panic right away. Having soberly assessed the situation, you need to try to pull out the stuck key on your own so as not to damage the lock mechanism. If this does not work out carefully, then you will have to dismantle the lock cylinder, but this is already an extreme case.

While the locking mechanism works flawlessly, some do not imagine the situation, what needs to be done to open the mechanism if the key is stuck in the lock or broken. If there is no one to turn to for help, then you have to rely on your own strength and life experience. Thanks to some practical tips to help deal with the problem that has arisen, you can remove the key from the door hole without significant damage.

Often the key can jam due to the fact that it is not used for its intended purpose. They are not allowed to open a bottle of beer or a drink; it is also not suitable as a screwdriver. Due to improper operation, the door key bends, deforms and may even break. In most cases, for this reason, the lock jams, after which it is impossible to remove the key from the door structure without special equipment or devices.

Over time, any locking mechanism wears out, dust particles get into the keyhole. If you take care of the lock in a timely manner, lubricate the rotary parts of the mechanism with oil, then such problems will not arise. It also happens that the key is stuck in the lock due to the fact that it was inserted the wrong way. The owner tries to pull the key out of the lock cylinder, but nothing happens: he either does not turn at all, or breaks. If in the first case it is still possible to somehow try to pull the key out of the lock, then in the second it is unlikely that it will be possible to remove the broken fragment without damaging the locking mechanism.

The reasons why the key can get stuck in the locking mechanism can be found in the next section.

Causes of the key getting stuck in the door lock

There are 2 reasons why the key can get stuck in the door leaf lock and jam:

Use of the product not for its intended purpose.

This includes various mechanical damage:

• loosening nuts and using as a beer or Pepsi opener;
• opening the locking mechanism with the use of brute physical force;
• improper care of the door mechanism;
• lack of timely lubrication of the inside of the lock;
• opening the door leaf not with a factory key, but with a master key;
• dust and other foreign objects in the rotary mechanism;
• a door installed not at a right angle, but with slight distortions, or a deflection of the doorway that occurred after some time;
• poorly made duplicate keys.

Factory defect of the product. The owner of the apartment has nothing to do with the key that was poorly made at the factory. Marriage can be:

• spare keys are poorly machined;
• the shape of the rotary mechanism may have defects;
• there is a factory defect in the inside of the lock (metal is too soft, which bends over time and blocks the key from entering the keyhole).

If, if the door key or the lock itself is improperly used, the situation can still be influenced in some way, then in case of a marriage made at the factory, you will have to change the lock core to a new one.

Before you begin to solve the problem, you need to determine the exact cause that caused the lock or key to break. Then, when it becomes known what caused the failure of the door mechanism or key, appropriate measures must be taken.

You can ask for help by calling the Ministry of Emergency Situations specialists by phone, or you can pull out the stuck key yourself.

If you choose the second method, then what actions you need to take can be found in the next section.

What can be done?

If you decide to pull out the stuck key from the locking device yourself, then you can do the following.

1. You need to stop panicking, because the worst has already happened, and now it depends on you how soon you can get into the apartment.
2. Experts recommend spraying a special liquid WD-40 into the lock cylinder, which consists mainly of kerosene. It is usually released in the form of an aerosol. If it was not possible to purchase the liquid, then you can pour a small amount of oil into the keyhole with a medical syringe, which will be at hand. For these purposes, both machine and sunflower oil are suitable. It is able to lubricate fixed and failed parts of the internal mechanism of the lock.
3. You need to wait a while for the oil to properly spread over the rotary mechanism. Then you need to carefully rotate the key in both directions.
4. After rotational action, the mechanism must be sprayed with oil again and try to pull out the key. You can twist it to the right and left and at the same time try to pull it out of the lock. It is not worth using full force, because excessive pressure can break the key. If you have round-nose pliers on hand, you can turn the key with them, but very carefully.

If you managed to remove the stuck key yourself, then you need to purchase a new lock key. It must be immediately inserted in place of the damaged mechanism so that this situation does not happen again. If this is not done, then the second time in the same way to pull out the key will not work. You may have to break the lock, which will cause significant financial costs.

If the key cannot be pulled out of the lock, then what should be done? Such a question immediately arises in the head of the owner of the apartment. After all, such a situation does not occur every day, and not everyone can immediately know what to do.

To remove the cylinder lock, you need to knock it out with some special tool or heavy object so that the larva breaks in half. After that, with a screwdriver on the side of the door, you need to clamp the lock plate and put the tongue inside. If everything is done correctly, the door will be able to open.

After you finally managed to open the door using the described method, immediately go to the store for a new lock so that this problem does not occur again.

What to do if the key is broken?

What to do if the key is broken in the lock, and how to get it out of there? The best solution would be to call the master to the house, but if you are not one of the timid, then you can pull out the key chip with your own hands.

You can pull out a broken key with the help of such "assistants":

1. Pliers or tweezers. These devices can only help if even the smallest part of the key is visible in the lock, which can be hooked on.
2. Large and powerful magnet. This method will only work if the key is made of pure and very durable metal.
3. Jigsaw file. It is necessary to break the fastener of the file at the end, point it towards the rod and turn the teeth of the jigsaw to the broken part of the key. Then you need to drag a piece of the key to you.

This is not the whole list of tools that can be used to pull a broken key out of the keyhole. More details can be found in the proposed solutions to the problem in the following sections.

How to get stuck chip?

I have a piece of key stuck in the lock, how do I get it out? I would not like to imagine this situation, but nevertheless it can happen to literally anyone. To date, there are a large number of devices and methods for solving this problem. In practice, everything is not so simple, because not every day the owner leaves the house with a grinder or a drill.

What then can be used and how to get the broken key out of the lock? You should not grieve over the fragment of the key, feeling your own helplessness. Not all is lost, there is a way out.

The fact is that the locking device is the same complex mechanism as a clock. But, if the clock is out of order, they can be handed over to the watch workshop, but the castle is not. Not every caring owner periodically lubricates the lock parts with oil for prevention purposes. Therefore, over time, particles of debris accumulate in the secret of the locking mechanism. One day, just one careless hand movement will cause the key in the mechanism to break. Pulling it out without auxiliary tools will not work. And the cause of the situation that has arisen can be dust particles that create a barrier for the key.

Locksmith or electrical tools can come to the rescue. If the key has broken off quite deep in the lock, then this circumstance complicates the situation much. But do not hang your nose even in this case. Do not spend the night on the street now, you can always think of something.

Tools

To remove a broken key from the front door lock, you will need the following tools:

• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• awl;
• hairpin, paper clip or pin;
• jigsaw file;
• nail puller or crowbar;
• tweezers;
• hammer;
• drill or circular saw.

All these tools and fixtures will help to pull a piece of the door key out of the lock.

There are 3 ways to extract a broken key from the core of the lock.

1. Sparing. This method will allow for some time to extend the life of the old lock cylinder without serious damage. The main goal will be to remove the key fragment without invading the internal mechanism of the lock.
2. Lock damage. If the situation is much more serious and the key has broken off too deeply, then the only way out is to dismantle the lock. If it is done carefully, then after a series of simple actions, the lock can be returned to its original place, but such cases are rare.
3. Rude. This method can be used only as a last resort, if the first two have not helped. But be prepared for the fact that after this method you will have to change not the lock, but the entire door.

Let us consider in more detail how it is possible to pull out a broken key and a lock mechanism from the front doors.

These methods are gentle, not allowing severe damage to the lock mechanism. For the second, rough method, you can use the proposed tools and remove the lock from the door leaf. If you can’t carefully remove the stuck key from the lock, then you need to purchase a new locking mechanism.

The rough method is a necessary measure. He, of course, is not entirely “humane”, but if nothing else remains, then it is worth resorting to extreme measures. To do this, you need to cut off the bolt lock with a circular saw. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the door. Crossbars should be visible between the door and the box. Instead of a grinder, you can use a hacksaw for metal. You can completely cut out the door lock, but then the door leaf will have to be replaced with a new one if the door is not made of metal. On the metal structure from which the lock was cut, it will be possible to weld an insert with a new locking mechanism. In this case, the need to replace the door will not arise.

If for some reason this option does not suit the owner, you can cut off the door hinges. Although for some modern designs this method is not suitable due to the fact that they have special anti-burglary protection. Crossbars on such doors can also be anti-removable.

If any of the proposed options does not fit a particular situation, then there is another option that allows you to pull out a broken piece of key without severe damage to the door structure. We will talk about it in the next section.

Folk ways

An equally effective way to extract a broken key from a door lock are folk methods that have been proven over the years. They are not as destructive as the previous ones, but nevertheless require certain manipulations.

This will require:

1. Machine or sunflower oil. If you have time and do not want to spoil the lock or door, then first you need to clean the accumulated dust from the lock secret with machine oil and a syringe. To prevent your hands from slipping, you can grab the protruding piece of the key with pliers.
2. Pliers and self-tapping screws. This method can be used if the key chip is quite thick. A hole is drilled in the lock with a drill and a self-tapping screw is screwed into it. Then you need to grab it with pliers and drag it back along with a piece of the key.
3. Vibration. This method is rather non-standard compared to all the other methods listed. Suitable for disc locking system. From the very beginning, you need to properly spray and oil the bolts of the lock and put them in the same position with the broken part of the product. After that, on the other side, the lock must be knocked out with a hammer. From the vibrations caused by this, a piece of key can partially come out of the lock. This will allow you to get the broken part with pliers.

In order not to be in such a situation, it is necessary to timely prevent the state of the door lock and the internal secret. Do not be lazy to lubricate them with oil so that the mechanism works smoothly, like a clock. If it is not possible to fix minor defects in the locking mechanism, then it is better not to take risks, but to purchase a new core. The key must be monitored no less responsibly: if the product is bent or there are cracks and breaks on it, then it is better to make a duplicate and use it.

Useful tips will help to a large extent to maintain the integrity of the locking mechanism of the front door for a long time. You just need to read the recommendations and try to follow them.

They are as follows:

• no need to lubricate the lock secret with oil applied to cotton wool, as the villi will get inside the mechanism;
• periodically inspect the lock and check its serviceability, and if you find the slightest defects, proceed to eliminate them;
• always take care of the door fittings so that this situation does not arise;
• if the lock began to jam during opening and closing, then this is a signal that the locking mechanism needs to be either repaired or changed;
• if you doubt your competence regarding the dismantling of the door lock, it is better to entrust this work to professionals;
• for each class of burglary resistance of locks, different methods are applicable, but it is easiest to deal with cylinder mechanisms;
• it is better to install at least two separate locks on the entrance doors, so that in case of failure of one of them, you can use the second mechanism.

We hope that this information was useful to you. Be careful and try not to get into a similar situation.