A key that goes in fine but won't turn is one of the most common lock complaints we get, and it's almost always one of a handful of specific causes.
1. Wrong Key, Similar Cut
Keys that look nearly identical (common with cheap hardware-store duplicates) can insert but not quite turn. Double check you have the right key first.
2. Dirt or Debris in the Keyway
A can of compressed air or a small squirt of graphite lubricant (not WD-40, which attracts more dirt over time) can clear this in seconds.
3. Worn Key
Years of use wear down the cuts on a key blade until it stops engaging the pins correctly. Try a spare or freshly cut copy before assuming the lock itself is broken.
4. Misaligned Door or Strike Plate
If the door has settled or shifted, the bolt may not be lining up with the strike plate, making it feel like the lock is jammed even though it's mechanically fine.
5. Internal Lock Failure
Worn or damaged pins and springs inside the cylinder itself. See our common reasons locks fail guide for the full list of root causes.
What Not to Do
Don't force the key, a snapped key turns a simple fix into an extraction job. See what to do if it breaks in a door.
Still stuck? Call 818-249-5128 and we'll diagnose it on the spot.