How to Unlock a Deadbolt Without a Key with 5 Useful Ways?
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Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Vincent Zhu
Locking yourself out of your home is never fun. But don’t despair! You can use a few techniques to unlock a deadbolt from the outside without a key.
Deadbolts have fewer vulnerabilities than traditional doorknob latch locks, but they are still pretty easy to bypass with the right approach.
This guide will discuss several popular techniques for unlocking pin tumbler deadbolts, including lock picking, bumping, and drilling the lock.
With patience and practice, you can unlock any high-quality deadbolt without a key. So the next time you find yourself locked out, remember these tips, and you’ll return inside in no time.
Let’s get to it!
1. Pick the Lock
Lock picking is the first and best method to unlock a deadbolt without a key. It is popular for those who want to avoid damaging their door or lock.
Lock picking is an easy skill—the basics required to pick a standard pin tumbler deadbolt can be cultivated within 10 minutes. All you need to know is the basics of locks and a few techniques to pick them.
In addition to this fundamental knowledge, you will need lock-picking tools: a lock pick and a tension wrench. You can find these tools at our online pick shop.
If you have the materials in a pinch, you can craft make-shift lock-picking tools using bobby pins, paperclips, or other stiff and thin metals.
However, improvised lock picks are too large to fit into the keyway. You’ll need a professional or hobbyist lock pick set for small or parametric keyways.
Check out our selection of lock-picking kits to find a good everyday carry set, and never fear being locked out again! You can even carry around a wallet-sized lock pick set for emergencies!
If you want to try lock picking, I’ve written several comprehensive guides on picking locks with different tools, including animations and step-by-step directions.
There are a few drawbacks to this approach. Suppose you use a high-security deadbolt or your lock utilizes anti-pick features like security pins. In that case, you will probably be unable to pick it up without considerable practice.
Check this video to learn how to pick a lock:
How to Pick a Lock?
Additionally, the internal components of locks can be fragile, and if you are unlucky, you could damage something—such as snapping a spring.
Only pick your lock if:
- You own the lock (if you are renting, you do not own it)
- You understand there is a slight risk you ruin the lock.
Lock picking has drawbacks but is still a powerful way to unlock a deadbolt without a key.
Please note that ShineACS Locks is just writing a Deadbolt lock unlocking article and providing possible handling suggestions, not offering after-sales service. If you can’t finally solve your problem with our article content, please contact the Official aftermarket.
However, if you want to change your current home door lock, check out our TTLOCK smart lock to help you manage your door more safely and conveniently with your phone.
2. Bump the Lock
Lock bumping is another very effective tactic for bypassing deadbolts without the original key.
Lock bumping is a technique that uses a grinded-down key called a “bump key” that has been cut to its maximum depths.
You can buy pre-made bump keys for your particular deadbolt online or make your own.
However, to make your own, you need access to another key that you don’t mind destroying that also fits into the keyway of your deadbolt and a tool to grind that key down. Both of these items can be found in nearly any local hardware store.
To make a bump key, check out the video below.
Lock Bumping… Possibly The Easiest Way In!
Once you have your bump key, it’s time to get to work!
Please insert it into the key fully, then slowly pull it back until you hear the rearmost pin in the lock drop. Then apply a slight turning pressure to the key.
Using a rubber mallet or the palm of your hand, strike the back of the key—abruptly forcing it into the lock. The teeth of the key will strike the pins and send them upward. If done with the right amount of force and with a little luck, the pins will completely leave the lock’s plug, and the lock will open.
While this method is effective against most pin-tumbler deadbolts, it might not always work. Higher-quality deadbolts may utilize anti-bump features, preventing lock bumping from success.
If you want to learn more about lock bumping or how to prevent it from being used on your locks, check out my comprehensive guide on how to bump locks for a deeper dive.
3. Drill the Lock
If you don’t mind destroying your deadbolt, you might consider drilling the lock.
There are several ways to drill a lock successfully and many different regions where you may aim your drill. You can drill the shear line, the bottom stack of pins (key pins), the top stack (driver pins), the springs, or even the screws that hold the deadbolt to the door.
The best way to know which method to use in which situation comes down to understanding how a lock works and the common anti-drill countermeasures normally used. Anti-drill components are typically harder steel or ceramic parts that protect vulnerable areas.
For example: If you look into the keyway and see a steel front pin rather than a brass one, your deadbolt is likely using hardened anti-drill pins that will be more difficult to drill.
However, inexpensive deadbolts typically don’t use anti-drill countermeasures, so you can likely target the shear line by drilling right above the keyway.
Check this video to learn how to drill a lock:
Four ways to drill open a lock
To drill a lock, follow these steps:
- Select a location to drill and use a small drill bit to make a short starting hole to guide a larger bit.
- Starting with a 1/8th inch drill bit, begin drilling until you feel your bit bore through 5 pins.
- Upgrade to a 1/4th inch drill bit and repeat.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver into the keyway and attempt to turn the lock.
If it doesn’t open, look into the hole and see if there is the 6th pin. If there is another pin, drill a little deeper to obliterate that pin, and then try to open the lock again.
If there is no other pin and the lock doesn’t open, you may need to upgrade to a slightly larger drill bit to do more damage!
4. Break the Glass
If there is a glass panel on the door you are trying to bypass or a window within arm’s reach of the deadbolt’s thumbturn, you can break the glass and reach through to disengage the lock.
Unless it is an emergency, I don’t recommend this approach. Reaching through a broken window could leave you with more problems than you started. Not to mention, glass can be more expensive to replace than simply calling a locksmith.
5. Call a Locksmith
You may need to call a locksmith to unlock the door if all else fails. Most locksmiths have the tools and experience to unlock any door without damaging the lock.
Plus, locksmiths typically charge a lot less than the cost of replacing a broken lock, door, or window. The average price of getting locked out is about $150, but that will vary on your location and the locksmith. You learn more about calling a locksmith and their costs here.
If you’re stuck and don’t know what to do or don’t have the tools necessary, your best bet may be to call a locksmith.
Why Deadbolts Are a Little Harder to Bypass?
Most exterior doors use two types of locks: a deadbolt and a doorknob (also referred to as a “deadlatch”).
Doorknob locks use a spring that automatically pushes and holds a latch into the doorframe when the door is closed.
Because the latch is held in place using a spring, it is vulnerable to any attack that can retract the spring. A popular attack called loiding slipped a thin piece of material (such as a credit card) between the door’s cracks and compressed the spring latch.
Deadbolts, in contrast, do not use a spring. Rather they must be mechanically retracted using the key or thumb turn. Because of this, they can not be loaded, making it much harder to manipulate the bolt directly.
How to Prevent Getting Locked Out Again?
Getting locked out sucks, but there are some ways that you can minimize the chance of it ever happening again.
Make sure you have a key hidden outside your home in a safe place
Your best option is to have a key hidden outside in a safe place. This could be in a flower pot on your porch, under a rock key lock box in your garden, or somewhere else inconspicuous.
If you have a key hidden outside, you can retrieve it and let yourself back into your home. No need to call a locksmith or fuss with the lock!
Please have a copy of your key made and give it to a friend or family member.
If you don’t want to hide a key outside, another option is to give a spare key to a trusted friend or neighbor. If you ever get locked out, you can ask them to let you into your home.
Replace your deadbolt with a keyless lock.
A third option is a keyless entry system, such as a keypad or smart lock. Keyless entry systems don’t require a physical key, so you’ll never have to worry about getting locked out again.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Whether you’re locked out of your home or want to be prepared in an emergency, you know how to unlock a deadbolt without a key.
We discussed four methods: lock picking, bumping, drilling the lock, or breaking a nearby window. Some techniques might not work against high-security door locks, so you can always call a locksmith.
Prevent getting locked out in the future by hiding a key outside, giving a spare key to a friend or neighbor, or upgrading to a keyless entry system.
We hope you never need to use this information, but it’s always good to be prepared!
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