What to Do When a Key Breaks Off in the Lock
My key broke off inside the lock. How do I get it out?
Stop turning the lock the second a key snaps. Forcing the broken half deeper or rotating the cylinder can wedge the piece into the pin chamber and turn a 5-minute extraction into a full lock replacement.
If part of the key is sticking out, try gripping it with needle-nose pliers and pulling straight — no twisting. A small dab of dry graphite or a quick spray of silicone (never WD-40 long-term) can help it slide out.
If the break is flush with the cylinder face, leave it alone and call a locksmith. We use thin extractor tools that hook the cuts and slide the broken piece out without damaging the lock. Most extractions in Marvin, NC take under 15 minutes and cost $75–$125.
Never glue the two halves together to try to turn the lock — the glue almost always breaks off inside the cylinder and ruins the lock entirely.
Marvin Locksmith serves Marvin, NC and the nearby towns of Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel and Weddington. Call 704-817-4639 for fast, licensed help.
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