A key rarely snaps out of nowhere. It usually breaks after weeks of getting stiffer, on the one day it was pushed a little too hard. Now half of it is in your hand and the other half is inside the lock.
What you do in the next few moments decides whether this ends with a new key or a new lock.
Step 1: Stop turning
Don't try to turn the lock with the broken piece, and don't try the other half of the key in the lock. Every turn can push the fragment deeper or jam the pins inside.
Step 2: Don't push anything else into the keyway
- Don't try to hook the piece out with a paper clip, a pin or a small screwdriver. It usually pushes the fragment further in and scratches the cylinder.
- Don't use glue. Glue on a stick to pull the piece out is a popular tip, and it very often ends up gluing the lock shut.
- Don't spray lubricant in to loosen it. It makes the piece harder to grip cleanly.
Step 3: Look at how much is sticking out
If a clear piece of the key sticks out far enough to hold firmly with your fingers, one slow, straight pull may bring it out. If it doesn't come out with a gentle pull, leave it alone. Wiggling it side to side is how the lock gets damaged.
Step 4: Leave the door open, or use another one
If the key broke while the door was open, leave the door open or use another entrance until the key is out. Closing and locking a door with a broken key in it can leave you locked out as well.
If the key broke in the car ignition
- Don't try to start the car, and don't try to turn the ignition with anything else.
- Don't turn the steering wheel hard. If the steering lock engages, it makes the job harder.
- Keep both pieces of the key. On most cars the head still holds the chip, and the pieces help identify the key. The new blade is cut to fit the lock, not copied from the broken one.
We remove broken keys from car ignitions and door locks, and in most cases we can cut a new car key, including programming a transponder key, right at the car.
Why keys snap
- The key is worn thin, especially a copy made from a copy.
- The lock has been getting stiff, and the key has been doing more of the work each time.
- The key was used as a lever, to pull a door closed or to open a package.
- A heavy key ring hangs from the car key and wears the ignition over time.
What happens afterwards
Once the fragment is out, we check whether the lock is still in good condition. Often it is, and all you need is a new key. If the cylinder was worn enough to make the key snap, we will tell you, and repair or replace it.
A new key should be cut to the lock, not copied from the broken or worn one. Copying a worn key copies the wear.
