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How to Remove a Key That Has Broken in the Lock: 5 Tricks to Avoid Disassembling Everything
If you’ve ever been in the unfortunate situation where your key breaks off inside a lock, you know how frustrating it can be. It’s easy to panic when a piece of your key is stuck and you need access to your home, office, or car. Fortunately, before you consider calling a locksmith or disassembling the entire lock, there are several methods you can try to remove the broken key. In this article, we’ll cover five simple tricks to help you remove a key that’s stuck in a lock, all without needing to take the lock apart!
1. Use Needle-Nose Pliers
If you have a small portion of the key still sticking out of the lock, needle-nose pliers may be your best option. Here’s how to do it:
Steps:
- Insert the Pliers: Gently grip the exposed end of the broken key with the needle-nose pliers. Be careful not to apply too much force, as you don’t want to push the key further in.
- Turn Slowly: With a steady hand, turn the pliers carefully, wiggling them back and forth while pulling outward. This motion will help release the key from the lock’s internal mechanisms.
- Try Tweezers for a Smaller Key: If you don’t have needle-nose pliers, you can use tweezers if the remaining key piece is small enough to grip.
If the piece is too far inside the lock, you may need to try one of the other methods below.
2. Use Super Glue (For the Exposed Part of the Key)
Another option, especially if part of the key is sticking out of the lock, is to use a small amount of super glue to help pull the key out. This trick works best if the key fragment is long enough to hold onto.
Steps:
- Apply a Small Drop of Super Glue: Apply a very small amount of super glue to the exposed end of the key. Be sure to avoid getting any glue inside the lock itself.
- Press and Hold: Gently press the tip of the glue-covered key to the inside edge of the lock. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it bonds securely.
- Pull the Key Out: Once the glue has dried (about 30 seconds), carefully pull the key out. Do not tug too hard, as you don’t want to damage the lock.
- Clean the Glue: If there’s any excess glue left in the lock, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to clean it out.
Be cautious not to use too much glue, as it could make the problem worse by creating more blockages inside the lock.
3. Use a Key Extractor Tool
If you want to avoid making a mess with super glue or pliers, a key extractor tool is a great option. Key extractors are specially designed tools made to remove broken keys from locks without causing damage.
Steps:
- Insert the Key Extractor Tool: Insert the small hook-like extractor tool into the lock where the key is stuck.
- Hook the Key: Once the tool is in place, carefully hook it around the broken key fragment. It’s important to be gentle to avoid pushing the key further into the lock.
- Pull the Key Out: Slowly pull the tool while gently wiggling it. The extractor tool should be able to grip the broken piece and remove it from the lock.
If you don’t have a key extractor tool, many locksmiths sell them online, or you may be able to find a cheap one at a hardware store.
4. Use a Thin Piece of Metal (e.g., Paperclip or Safety Pin)
If the key piece is too small to grab with pliers, you can try using a thin piece of metal to gently nudge it out of the lock. This method is similar to using a key extractor tool but utilizes a readily available object.
Steps:
- Create a Hook: Straighten out a paperclip or safety pin, and then bend one end to form a small hook.
- Insert the Metal Into the Lock: Insert the hooked end into the lock, trying to catch the broken key’s jagged edge. Be very careful not to damage the inside of the lock.
- Gently Pull: Slowly pull on the metal to extract the broken key. It may take some gentle wiggling to get the right angle to lift the key piece out.
If this method doesn’t work, you can also try inserting the flat end of the paperclip or pin and using a gentle push-pull motion to nudge the broken key out.
