How to Remove A Broken Key From A Lock In 4 Simple Steps?

This article will guide you on how to remove a broken key from a lock with some easy tools, simple steps, and methods.

Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by Vincent Zhu

A key breaking into a lock gives such a dreading feeling, and one could quickly feel helpless. The latter is one can still open the door through a process requiring different mastering steps. The best method to go about the situation depends on precisely what happened.

The lock metals can also get fatigued, and once the key is inserted into the cylinder, it breaks. The locksmiths have gone about discovering ways to help in a key breaking into a lock. This tutorial will help you solve such a problem in the easiest way possible.

Step 1: Prepare Necessary Tools

Various methods can be used, and the process requires tweezers, a hacksaw blade, super glue, tapping the cylinder, and finally, pulling and probing the broken key. The shallower key has been inserted; removing it from the lock is easier.

One can use a metal hairpin, bobby pin, pocket knife, emergency kit, rolling pin, or button pin. The thickness of these items matters a lot and their sizes.

They should fit in the keyhole appropriately and not keep pushing the key further inside.

1. Penetrating lubricant: It is one of the quick preparation tasks. However, it is optional. The lubrication needs to be dry, like graphite; however, other forms of wet lubrication can work. One needs to be careful with the damp lubrication as it can cause the lock’s internals.

2. Tweezers: Tweezes are suitable for extraction, but any other tool that fits the work can be used. The thickness of the tweezers needs to be qualified to go through to the broken key and not push it further inside. They should also open wide, giving room to any turn that may take place during the extraction process.

3. Key extractor: Tweezers or sharp tools pull out the broken key. The extractor carries all the art, and it may take several attempts until one gets it right. It is mainly a lock pick, and several have different variations. All the variations are highly dependent on the lock, but an extractor is a tool that can also be crafted to remove the broken key.

Step 2: Apply the Penetrating Lubricant

Spray the lubricant into the keyhole. It helps the work in the door lock to loosen up. Do not spray much of it, making the insides jam up. The smoothness should make the plug rotation easier and help the lock ease due to the previous complex operation.

Step 3: Check the Position of the Lock

This step helps you know how much the broken key has gone into the lock. The key could be in the middle of the furthest inside, holding the key cuts. It could also lead to you tearing the lock apart, exposing the cylinders.

You can poke the lock with the sharp object and push the broken key out here. Most of the time, the lock is more aligned with the key cuts, which still allows the key movement in and out. A crew driver can also help pull the head of the key, turning it back into a vertical position. The position facilitates easier pulling.

Step 4: Insert the Key Extractor and Remove the Broken Key

A key extractor is professionally used. If you have one, you can use it. You can use other tools to spiral into the lock and pull the broken key out. Push the extractor inside the lock. Once you have identified the position of the broken key, twist it gently and remove it.

Take caution not to push the key further inside by taking note of the top edge of the lock and the contact position with the broken key.

How to remove a broken key from a lock

How to Remove A Broken Key From A Lock with Super Glue?

Sometimes, maybe you don’t have the tools to remove a broken key from your lock, and now you can try to use super glue to stick your broken key with the end of the broken key.

After sticking it close, you can try to pull it out.

To know how to remove a broken key with super glue, you can check this YouTube video:

Two Ways to Remove a Broken Key from a Lock

How to Remove A Broken Key From A Lock Using a Glue Stick？

There is another way to remove your broken; you can try using a glue stick.

When using an open flame to melt the glue stick, please stick the melted part to your broken key and try to pull it out; if it doesn’t work once, try one more time.

You can check this to learn how to remove a broken lock with a glue stick:

Remove a Broken Key from a Lock Using a Glue Stick

How Do You Prevent a Key from Breaking Into A Lock?

A key breaking in a lock can be prevented through occasional lock lubrication for proper maintenance. It should happen whenever there is excess friction when opening the lock and grinding when locking the door.

It is also advisable to replace the key when you realize a lot of wear and tear since more abuse to the key will lead to it breaking in the lock. The lock could also have a problem; therefore, one can call for an inspection once they realize it is malfunctioning.

Conclusion

I hope this tutorial was of great help and that after going through it, you are better positioned to extract a broken key from a lock. Note that the best way depends on the situation at hand. It could force you to have the tools to solve the problem and call a locksmith to help you learn the crucial tricks.