If your key has snapped off in the front door lock, stop turning it, do not push the broken piece in further, and keep the half you still have. A broken key can often be removed without damaging the lock, but the most common mistakes, such as glue, jamming in a pin or forcing the cylinder to turn, can turn a simple extraction into a lock replacement.

Stuck at the door right now? Call (613) 707-4884.

First, Figure Out Where You Stand

  • Is the door locked or unlocked? If the key broke after you had already turned it, the bolt may be retracted and you may be able to get inside. If so, keep the door from latching until the lock is dealt with.
  • Is there another way in? A back door, garage entry or someone else with a key can take the pressure off while you sort out the front lock.
  • Is any of the key sticking out? If a piece of the blade is visible beyond the face of the cylinder, careful removal may be possible.

If the key broke and you are now locked out with no other way in, our guide on what to do when you are locked out of your home may help.

What You Can Safely Try

  1. Return the plug to its starting position. The keyhole should be in its normal vertical position, the way it sits when you first insert a key. The pins can only move out of the way of the key in this position, so this is the only position a broken piece can come out from.
  2. If the piece sticks out, pull straight. Use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to grip the exposed end and pull straight out, without twisting or wiggling side to side.
  3. If it sits flush, stop there. Removing a fragment that is flush with or below the face of the cylinder usually requires thin extractor tools that hook into the cuts of the key. Improvised tools like paper clips or small screwdrivers tend to push the piece deeper or damage the keyway.

What Not to Do

  • Do not use super glue. Glue on a stick or a match can run into the cylinder and bond the pins in place, ruining the lock.
  • Do not try to turn the lock with the broken piece. Forcing it with pliers or a screwdriver can break the fragment further or damage the plug.
  • Do not insert your spare key on top of the fragment. It will push the broken piece deeper and may break the spare too.
  • Do not drill the lock. Drilling destroys the cylinder and should only be a last resort.

Why Keys Break in the First Place

Keys rarely snap without warning. The usual causes are:

  • A key worn thin after years of use, or one that was already bent and straightened.
  • A poorly cut copy, or a copy made from another copy, that does not lift the pins correctly and needs extra force to turn.
  • A stiff or dirty lock that has needed more and more effort over time.
  • Forcing a key in a frozen lock during an Ottawa winter instead of thawing it first.
  • Using the key as a handle to pull the door closed.

After the Key Is Out

Keep both halves. A locksmith can often read the cuts from the pieces and make a new key. Ideally, cut new keys from the original rather than from a worn copy. If the lock had been getting stiff before the key broke, have it cleaned, serviced or replaced, or the new key may follow the old one. If the broken piece could not be removed without damage, the cylinder may need to be replaced.

Next Step

If the fragment is flush with the lock or you would rather not risk damaging it, call (613) 707-4884.

For professional help, see our broken key extraction service — available 24/7 across Ottawa.