What you can safely try
If a piece of the key is sticking out far enough to grip, turn the lock back to the upright position the key went in at, then pull straight out with needle-nose pliers. Gently. If it does not come with a light pull, stop.
What never to try
- Superglue on the broken half. It runs into the cylinder and glues the pins, and a glued cylinder has to be replaced.
- Paperclips, bobby pins or tweezers pushed in beside the piece. They push it further in, where only a proper extractor reaches it, and they can jam behind it.
- Turning the lock with the broken piece. It can wedge the piece across the pins or break it again deeper inside.
How a locksmith gets it out
We use thin extractor picks with small hooks that slide along the side of the piece, catch its cuts and draw it out without disturbing the pins. On most house locks it takes minutes, the lock is undamaged, and the door works as before. Then we cut a new key, either from the two broken halves, from the lock itself or from a code, so you leave with a working key rather than a lock you cannot use.
Do you need a new lock?
Usually not. You need one only if the cylinder was already badly worn or was damaged by earlier attempts to get the piece out. If the lock is fine, a fresh key is the whole fix.
Why keys break
A key rarely breaks because it was unlucky. Usually one of three things was already happening:
- The key was worn smooth, so it had to be forced to turn.
- The door had dropped or moved, so the bolt dragged on the strike and the key was carrying the load. That is a door problem, and our lock repair page explains the fix.
- The key was used as a lever, to pull the door shut or to open a stiff gate.
Fix the cause, or the new key breaks the same way. A dry lubricant made for locks keeps a stiff cylinder turning; oil and general-purpose sprays collect dust and make it worse.
A key broken in the car
A key broken in a car door lock or the ignition comes out the same way, and a new key is cut and programmed. If the ignition cylinder itself is damaged, that repair belongs to a mechanic, and a good locksmith tells you so rather than guessing. See our broken key extraction service.
Questions people ask
Can I still lock the door with the broken piece inside?
Sometimes it will turn, but it risks jamming the piece further. Leave it in the position it is in and have it extracted first.
Can a new key be made from the broken pieces?
Yes. With both halves the cuts can be read and a new key cut on site. If a piece is missing, it can be cut from the lock or a code.
Does the lock need replacing afterwards?
Usually not. Only if it was already worn or was damaged trying to get the piece out.
How do I stop it happening again?
Replace worn keys before they fail, fix a door that makes the bolt drag, and use a dry lubricant for locks rather than oil.