3 Ways to Remove a Key Stuck in the Lock
Tom Ireland • Dec 28, 2016
Unless something has broken inside the lock, you should be able to get the key out and avoid paying those locksmith fees. Try these methods.
The post 3 Ways to Remove a Key Stuck in the Lock appeared first on Andy Schildhorn, PREC.
Your stomach sinks when it happens: your key is stuck in the lock. There’s never a good time for it to happen, but it always seems to happen at the worst time. Don’t call the locksmith straight away, though. Unless something has broken inside the lock, you should be able to get it out and avoid paying those locksmith fees. Try these methods.
- Push in the plug
– Sometimes, a lock’s pins don’t align properly because the plug (the circle you see from the outside) is loose. Try turning your key to the locked position and push it in as far as you can. With your other hand, press on the plug. This extra pressure might be enough to allow you to twist the key and remove it from the lock.
- Lubricate it with WD-40
– Cans of WD-40 should come with a thin straw nozzle, making it easier to spray directly into the lock. From above your key, aim it into the lock. As you spray, wiggle your key up and down (not left to right) to get it out of the lock.
- Use pliers
– If the key has actually broken in the lock, spray on some WD-40 and use needle-nose pliers to pull out the broken piece.
