Broken Key in the Lock? What to Do (and What Never to Do)

Keys wear down over time, and in cold weather the metal gets brittle. When one finally gives out, you are left holding half a key while the other half sits inside the lock.

Stop pushing and pulling

The first rule is to stop turning and forcing. Each extra attempt can push the fragment deeper or bend the pins inside, which makes extraction harder and can ruin the cylinder.

If part of the key is sticking out

If a bit of the key remains visible, you can try gripping it with needle-nose pliers and gently pulling straight out without twisting. If it does not move easily, stop.

What not to do

Do not use superglue to try to reattach the pieces. Glue can run into the lock and cause permanent damage. Avoid jamming screws, picks or knives into the keyway, which can wedge the fragment tighter.

Call for broken key extraction

A locksmith uses thin extractor tools designed to hook the fragment and draw it out, usually keeping the cylinder intact. We then cut you a new key. Our broken key extraction service covers house and apartment doors, padlocks and car ignitions across Mill Basin, Marine Park and nearby Brooklyn.

Replace the key, not just the fragment

If the key broke because it was worn, a copy of that worn key may fail again. Ask for a fresh key cut properly, and consider a spare key so you are never down to one.

If the lock turns out to be damaged, we can repair it or replace it during the same visit.