Broken Key – It Happens! Why Do They Break and What To Do About It

It is a frustrating experience when a key breaks in a lock as it normally leaves the lock inoperable and it can leave you locked out or so that you cannot secure the property. It is not uncommon for keys to break as they are inherently weak as they are made from soft metals and have a design that leads to weak points in the key. This article looks at the causes of a broken key and some advice as to how to overcome it.

Causes

A key can break in the lock due to a number of reasons:

There is a fault with the lock cylinder or locking mechanism making it too stiff to turn the key
The lock could be poorly fitted
The door may have become misaligned causing excessive force on the locking bolt or latch making it difficult to turn the key
Your key is damaged, bent or twisted and is therefore weakened and prone to breaking
Poorly maintained locks that become rusty or dry can also require excessive force that can lead to key failure
Using the wrong key by mistake and then trying to force the key round
Using the key as a handle to pull the door shut
Leaving the key in the door and it getting hit as people/objects go past it
Turning the key without it being fully inserted

Whatever the reason, it is normally possible to extract the broken key without causing damage or needing to replace the lock and a new key can normally be cut from the broken one if needed.

If you are locked out with a key broken in the lock, it may also still be possible to operate the lock by inserting the rest of the key into the keyhole (that has the broken part in the lock) to form a full key.

Preventative Measures

To prevent a key from breaking it is recommended that the following is done:

Lubricate locks and locking mechanisms on a regular basis. You can read more about lock maintenance in my recent article Maintaining Your Locks.
Repair or replace any faulty locking parts
Carry out a visual inspection periodically on your keys and replace any with signs of damage
Fit a lock that has a stronger/thicker key
Realign/readjust door to ensure smooth working of the lock
Call a locksmith to maintain your locks / locking mechanisms.

You may well need to contact your trusted local locksmith for assistance with some of these actions.

DO NOT use your key for anything other than unlocking your door… your key is not a tool to open parcels and tins or to extract drawing pins or anything else!

Broken Key Extraction

If you are in the situation where you have a broken key in a lock, then you may need a locksmith to help you to extract it. Or you may decide to have a go yourself. In which case, here are a few tips that may help. Firstly, spray the lock with a lubricant to help it to slide out more easily. Use a household object, for example tweezers, safety pin, paper clip, hacksaw/jigsaw blade. Or any other thin implement and try to hook onto the key to drag it out. Be careful that nothing breaks off from your chosen implement as that can block the lock mechanism. This can further trap the broken part of the key. Try different angles with different pressures in different places.

Please note that if it is a standard cylinder lock, then the cylinder needs to be in the upright position before being able to extract the key. If it is not upright, then it will not come out.

If you have a euro cylinder lock with a keyway on the other side, then insert a good key into the other side. Sometimes the broken part of the key can jump out enough to grab it and pull it out.

If you have a nightlatch, then you can remove this from the door, take out the rim cylinder and push out the broken key from the other side.

Beware of social media

Despite some videos on YouTube that suggest using glue as an extraction method, this is definitely not advised. You can damage the lock beyond repair.

Broken key extractor kits can be purchased. You just have to weigh up the cost of the extractor kit and your confidence level of being able to extract the key. Compare that to calling a locksmith and getting it resolved quickly.

It can be tricky to remove the broken key and it does require patience as it can take time. If you need to get a locksmith, then make sure you select the right one and get a few quotes. It should not be expensive and definitely less than £100!

A locksmith will have the right tool and should be able to extract the key relatively quickly and with no damage.

I hope this article on what to do if you suffer from a broken key has been useful to you.

If you want further advice on broken key extraction, locks or any of my services, then contact Lock Guy.

Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.