Your key snapped off in the lock. The good news: this is fixable, and your lock probably isn’t ruined. The bad news: most DIY tricks make it worse. Here’s the right way to handle it.
Step 1: Stop Trying to Force It
Pushing the broken piece deeper is the most common mistake. Once it’s past the surface, getting it out becomes much harder. Stop and assess.
Step 2: Spray Lubricant
Spray graphite powder or a dry-Teflon lubricant into the keyway. (Avoid WD-40 — it attracts dirt and gums up over time.) Lubrication often loosens the broken piece enough to extract.
Step 3: What Works to Remove It
- Tweezers — only if a portion is sticking out. Don’t push it in.
- Broken-key extractor tool — a thin metal hook designed for this. About $10 on Amazon. Slide it in, hook a tooth on the broken piece, pull straight out.
- Super glue on a thin stick — risky. If glue gets on the lock pins, you’ve made it worse. Last resort.
What Doesn't Work
- Inserting the other half of the key — it won’t catch.
- Hairpins, paperclips, bobby pins — they bend, break, or push the piece deeper.
- Hammering, drilling, or screwdrivers — you’ll destroy the lock.
When to Call a Locksmith
If 5 minutes of careful effort doesn’t get the piece out, call. A locksmith will extract it in minutes without damaging your lock. Cost in LA: $80–$150 typically, depending on lock type and time of day.
Why Keys Break
Keys snap because they’ve gotten thin from years of use, or because the lock is jammed and you forced it. Once you get yours out, two preventive moves:
- Cut a new key from the original blank — not from a copy of a copy.
- Lubricate the lock with graphite annually.
Key broken in your LA lock? Call Abe’s Lock & Key at 818-249-5128 — we extract broken keys daily.