Your key snapped in the lock
Stop. The next thing you do decides whether this is a small job or a new lock.
Do not turn the stub, and do not dig at the broken piece with pliers, a screwdriver or superglue. We extract broken keys from door locks, padlocks and car doors with proper extraction tools, then cut you a fresh key. A key that snaps is usually a warning that the lock or the door needed attention anyway.
- Do not
- Dig at it, glue it, or force the stub
- We extract from
- Doors, padlocks and car locks
- Then
- A fresh key cut on the spot
Why keys break, and what to do
The damage is usually done afterwards
A snapped key is a routine extraction. What turns it into a replacement lock is twenty minutes with a pair of long-nose pliers pushing the broken half further in, chewing the end of it so there is nothing left to grip, and scoring the inside of the barrel. Superglue is worse again: it bonds the fragment to the pins and the lock is finished. Leave it where it is and call somebody.
Why it snapped
Keys almost never fail without warning. Worn keys get thin, and years of being dropped and jangled work-harden the metal until it is brittle. More often, though, the key was not the problem — the door was. A door that has dropped on its hinges or swollen puts the weight of the door against the bolt, so you end up turning harder and harder until something gives. If you have been lifting the door to get the key to turn, the key was going to break eventually.
Copies of copies
A key cut from a key cut from a key drifts a little further from the original each time. Eventually it is tight, it needs jiggling, and it is under more stress than it should be. Cutting from the original, or cutting a fresh set after a rekey, fixes it.
What we do
We extract the broken piece with tools made for it, check why the lock was stiff in the first place, and cut you a new key. If the cause was the door rather than the lock, we will tell you that, because a new key in a misaligned door will break too.
Broken car keys
The blade snapping off a remote-head or proximity key is common as the plastic ages. We extract the blade and can make a new key at the car for Japanese, Korean and most American-built makes. If the electronics are fine, sometimes only the blade needs replacing.
If it happens out of hours
A key snapped in the front door at eleven at night is exactly the sort of call our 24 hour emergency service is for. After hours costs more than business hours and we agree the price before we come out.
What customers say
Tap any review to read it on Google.
“I highly recommend Magnus from Amco Locksmiths. He was very quick to respond to my enquiry and was able to see me the next day. He showed up on time, had great communication and was very professional and friendly throughout the process.”
Read on Google →“I recently moved to a new house and wanted to change the locks for security. Magnus arrived on time and worked efficiently to do just that, also cutting more windows keys and rekeying the garage remote. He even oiled the squeaky garage door at no cost! I would use Amco again in a heartbeat.”
Read on Google →“Great communication advising when he would arrive. Quick, friendly service and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.”
Read on Google →“Very friendly and replies fast! Definitely recommend!!”
Read on Google →“I needed an emergency locksmith today (Friday) and Magnus from Amco came to the rescue. Absolutely pleasant man very friendly and curteous. Explained everything including cost upfront. Completed the job professionally. Will definitely recommend Amco Locksmiths and Magnus anytime.”
Read on Google →Straight answers
Can you get a broken key out of a lock?
Yes. We use extraction tools made for it, and in most cases the lock is fine afterwards.
Should I try to pull it out myself?
No. Pliers and screwdrivers usually push the piece further in and damage the barrel, and superglue ruins the lock outright. Leave it.
Will I need a new lock?
Usually not, if nobody has dug at it. We extract the piece and cut a fresh key.
Why did my key break?
Usually a worn key, a copy of a copy, or a door that has dropped so you were forcing the lock. We will tell you which, because the third one will break the next key too.
Can you get a snapped key out of a car door?
Yes, and we can make a new key at the car for Japanese, Korean and most American-built makes.
Can you come out at night for this?
Yes, we run a 24 hour emergency service. After hours costs more and the price is agreed before we come.