You will be in trouble when you find half of the key is broken inside the lock. Then removing the broken key from the lock is difficult. You might have to call the locksmith to remove the broken key or you can do it by yourself. In the following article, you will find a step-by-step process to remove the broken key from the door:
Methods To Take Out Broken Key From A Lock
If you are taking help from the locksmith to extract the key piece, he/she will bring the toolbox kit to remove the key. However, if you are doing it by yourself then you will require any of the following tools for this process:
Total Time: 35 minutes
1. Use A Broken Key Extractor
This is one of the best ways to remove the broken key from the lock. A key extractor is a professional tool that is used to remove the broken piece of the key. This extractor tool comes in various sizes and shapes.
Select extractor tool according to lock type. To pull out a broken key, dig the sharp end of the extractor tool inside it and twist it, and take out the broken piece.
2. Use Pliers Or Tweezers
Using pliers and tweezers is another method to remove the broken key. If you find the broken key is seen. Then, hold the key with the pliers and pull it out. When you pull the key with the pliers, do it very slowly, otherwise, it could break further.
If the key is wedged inside the lock and not moving then slowly wiggle it. Then, again use pliers to remove it. If required use tweezers to hold the key.
3. Use Paperclips
Paperclip is an incredible tool to remove the broken key. This tool works really well. When the broken piece of the key is not too small and not inserted too deep in the keyway. Paperclip can be used in two different ways to pull out the broken key.
The thinner paperclip will work better here. In the first process, insert a paperclip at the bottom of the key. And then slightly push it down to grip the key piece. Else, if there is space, then insert the paperclip from the top of the keyway and try to grip the first cut on the key.
It might take a few attempts. However, if you do it rightly. It will gradually extract the broken key piece. However, in the second process, you will require two paper clips.
With the help of the paperclip try to grip the key from both sides and then slowly takeout the broken piece. In both processes, applying lubricant works better and it will become easier to pull it out with pliers.
4. Use Knife
If the above method doesn’t work then you may need something with a sharper tip to slide off the key. Generally, the metal used for the keys is quite soft. With the tip of the sharp knife penetrate the side of the key to it out.
This method works really well when the key is near the keyway. If the broken piece is too far then it will be difficult to reach. In this method, insert the knife in the key and apply force to penetrate the key. Now carefully try to retract the key and apply leverage to pull it out.
If done accurately, the broken key will come out from the lock. If this method doesn’t work you may use two knives and follow the process similar to the paperclip method.
5. Use Fishing Hook
Using a fishing hook is another way to remove the broken key from the lock. If the key piece is deeper inside the lock, then this method works really well. To remove the broken section, use a fishing hook and straighten it fully with the pliers.
Now, shove the fishing hook in the keyway with the barb facing at a 90-degree angle and rotate it towards the key. It will dip deep inside the key and try to grip it slowly to pull it out.
6. Use Screw
In this method, use the screw tip to place it in the large gap area of the keyway. Then apply force in the inward direction to remove the key piece with the screw. Now slowly turn the screw. Try to twist it between the plug and the key.
Continue doing this, you will slowly dig the thread of the screw inside the key. Then the key will follow the spiral thread of the screw and slowly extract the keyway.
7. Use Drill Bit
The drill bit is another best tool to remove the broken key from the lock. However, it only works, when the broken key is approachable from the keyway. For this process take the small drill bit. Now create a hole at the side of the key piece with the help of a drill bit.
Creating the divot at the exposed key will create a gap to enter something inside, to grip and take out the key. Pliers, paperclips, or knives can be used to remove it.
8. Use Hack Saw And Jigsaw Blades
You might not believe that you can use a hack saw and jigsaw blades for this process. But, these tools can definitely help to pull out the broken piece from the lock. For this process, you will require a wire cutter and a blade thin.
Insert it between the key piece and the keyway. Now let’s construct the hacksaw as a key extractor, cut it off from the bottom so that barbs at the tip. The height of the blade should be according to the keyway.
Now, insert this blade in the keyway and try to push the saw’s teeth in the broken key. After this, slightly wrench the blade out to remove the key. It might take a few attempts. However, will little patience you can easily remove it.
9. Use Hot Glue Stick
This is an amazing technique to remove the broken key. If the broken key is near to the keyway, then you can use the hot gluestick to remove the broken key. In this process, lit the end of the gluestick from the lighter.
Now, push the soft end of the gluestick in the keyway. Wait for a few minutes to cool it. Next, slowly pull out the glue stick from the lock and it will extract the broken key. It might take a few attempts.
10. Use Superglue
If the broken key piece is deep inside the lock using the superglue for removing it might be risky. This method requires extra precautions. Be careful when you are using superglue, otherwise, it may ruin your lock. Blob the glue around it and mop the excess.
Take a very small chunk of superglue, put it in the broken key section. Now insert the key piece directly into the lock. And apply the force in the inward direction so the two parts can smash together. Wait for a few minutes for the glue to set, slowly pull out the key.
11. Take Help From Locksmith
Removing the broken key is not that easy, if not done correctly then you will be in trouble. It may worsen the situation if you accidentally push it in the keyway. If you do not want to take any risks, then you should consider calling a locksmith.
12. Penetrating Oil
If your lock is corroded or jammed, then it is imperative to apply penetrating lubricant. Penetrating oil is a good lubricant. WD-40 penetrating lubricant can be utilized. Lubricants should have characteristics of water displacing oil.
If you do not have penetrating lubricant, then you can make it at home. Combine vegetable oil and 10 percentage of acetone. Add the right amount of mixture to prevent any destruction.
Step 1: Apply a penetrating lubricant to the keyhole
Apply penetrating lubricant in the keyhole to loosen the locking mechanism. You must apply, penetrating oil if your lock is jammed. When the keyhole is lubricated then it becomes easy to pull out the broken key from the keyhole.
Step 2: Turn the lock cylinder into its original position
To remove the key from the keyhole. Check your lock cylinder it should be aligned either vertically or horizontally. Use a flat head screwdriver to turn the lock cylinder. rotate the lock slowly to bring it to its original position. By turning the lock cylinder, easily remove a broken key from the lock.
Step 3: Reach for the part of the broken key in the lock using a pair of needle-nose pliers
Remove the key piece out of the lock. When the lock cylinder is placed correctly by inserting the needle nose pliers inside the keyhole. Gently grip the tip of the key piece, hold it and pull it out of the lock. After removing the broken key successfully out of the lock. Purchase a new replacement key for your future use.
Tools:
- Tweezers
- Paperclips
- Knife
- Fishing Hook
- Screw
- Drill
- Hack Saw
- Jigsaw Blades
- Glue Stick
- Superglue
- Oil
1. How To Take Out A Broken Key From A Car Lock?
1. Using Pliers
If part of the broken key is sticking out of the car lock. Then, pull the key piece out of the car lock by using needle-nose pliers. Do not twist the key, as it could break the metal.
2. Using Screwdriver
A flat head screwdriver with a small tip is needed to unlock the car lock. Now, insert the screwdriver into the car lock and apply pressure to take out the key and unlock the door.
3. Using A Gum eraser
To extract the key from the car door, a gum eraser can also be used. It is generally, used by artists and architects. Gum eraser has a similar texture to chewing gum. This method is useful when the key piece is not too deep inside the lock.
In this method, knead the gum eraser to make it soft and flexible. Slightly, mould it for the key. Try to pull out the key, if it doesn’t come out completely then use a finger or any tool to extract it. If you are not able to pull out the key piece, then you should call the locksmith.
2. How Take Out A Broken Key From A Door Lock?
If the lock is difficult to operate, spray lubricant oil in the keyhole. Penetrating oil will loosen the lock works. Check how many parts of the key have broken. If the middle part of the key has broken then the lock is still aligned to remove the key easily.
If you are holding only the head of the key, not any cuts then turn the key parts before it gets broken. Turn it back to its default position, by inserting a screwdriver.
3. How to Take Out A Broken Key From A Master Lock?
The key extractor can be used to remove the broken key from the master lock. Using a key extractor is the best way to remove the key from the lock. The key extractor comes in many sizes and shapes.
Use a hooked key extractor to pull out the broken key from the master lock. Insert spike of the key extractor inside the lock. Now, wriggle it to grip the key piece and remove it.
4. How to Take Out A Broken Key From A Window Lock?
Following are the ways to remove the broken key pieces from the window lock:
Paperclip- In this method, you will need two paperclips. Hold the key from both sides using two paper clips. Then take out the broken piece slowly out from the lock. Apply lubricant, to easily pull it out.
Key Extractor- This is one of the best ways to take out the broken key piece from the window lock. Insert the barb of the key extractor inside the lock. Twist to extract the key.
5. How to Take Out A Broken Key From A Mailbox Lock?
If your key has broken inside the mailbox lock then you can remove it either by using a key extractor or a paperclip. For the key extractor, insert the spike into the keyway.
Then slightly twist it to take out the broken piece from the lock. In the paperclip method, use a thin paperclip and enter it from the top of the keyway. And grab the first cut of the key to remove.
6. How To Take Out A Broken Key From A File Cabinet Lock?
Use a key extractor to extract the broken key from the file cabinet lock. The key extractor is one of the best ways to remove the broken key pieces.
There are two types of key extractors: hooked key extractors and spiral key extractors.
Any of these key extractors can be used to remove the key. If you are using a hooked key extractor then insert a spike from the top on the keyway. Now, gently lift the key extractor to pull out the key.
7. How to Take Out A Broken Key Without Taking Help From A Locksmith?
If you do not want to call a locksmith to take out the broken key. Then use a key extractor, to remove the key by yourself. These extractors come in many sizes and shapes.
A spiral key extractor can be used to remove the broken key. Insert the key extractor inside the broken key section of the keyway. Now twist the spiral extractor so, that key will pull out.
8. How To Get A Broken Key Out Of A Lock Without Tools?
If tools are not available to extract the broken key from the lock. Then you can use paperclips to remove it. You will need a thinner paperclip for this. But, this process works well, when broken key. Check if there is a space from the top of the keyway then try to insert the paperclip and grip the first cut of the key.
9. How to Take Out a Broken Key Tip From a Lock?
Paperclip is an amazing tool to take out the broken key piece from the lock. This method works really well when the broken key is not too deep inside the lock. If the tip of the key piece is broken. Then you can use this method to pull out the key from the lock. Use thinner paperclip. Shove your paperclip below the broken piece and it down to take out the key.
Final Talk
In this article, we have suggested ways to remove the broken key piece from the lock. This guide gives you a detailed explanation and steps to follow.
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