What to Do When a Key Breaks Inside a Lock
A key breaking inside a lock — home, car, or business — is one of those situations where the immediate instinct is to make things worse. The most important thing to do is stop and do not push the broken piece deeper into the lock. Fort McMurray Locksmith is a proud member of the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, serving this community for over two generations.
Why Keys Break in Locks
Keys break most commonly in cold weather — metal becomes brittle at low temperatures, and Fort McMurray winters create exactly the conditions where a worn key will finally give way. Other common causes: a worn key that has been copied too many times and lost its original dimensions, a stiff or seized lock putting extra force on the key, or simply an old key that has reached the end of its useful life.
What NOT to Do
- Do not push the broken piece deeper — the most common mistake. Once pushed to the back of the cylinder, extraction becomes significantly more difficult
- Do not try to pull it out with pliers on a flush fragment — if the key broke flush with the keyway, pliers have nothing to grip and will only push it further in or damage the cylinder face
- Do not use super glue — the glue bonds to the cylinder, not just the key, and makes everything worse
- Do not force the lock further — if part of the key is still in the lock, the cylinder should not be turned until the fragment is removed
What You Can Try Safely
If part of the key is visibly protruding from the keyway — enough to get a solid grip — needle-nose pliers can sometimes work. Apply lubricant (WD-40 or lock lubricant) first, grip the visible fragment firmly, and pull straight out without twisting. This works best when there is clear metal to grip and the fragment has not been pushed in further by previous attempts.
If the key broke flush or near-flush with the keyway face — stop. This requires professional extraction tools. Attempting to dig the fragment out with a knife, pin, or other improvised tool almost always pushes it further in or scratches and damages the cylinder pins.
What a Locksmith Does
Fort McMurray Locksmith carries broken key extraction tools on every service call. Extraction tools are designed to grip the key fragment from the side, along the cuts in the key, and pull it cleanly from the cylinder without damaging the pins or cylinder walls. In most cases the cylinder is undamaged after extraction and can continue to be used normally — a new key is then cut on the same call.
If the cylinder was already damaged before the key broke — either from a previous attempted extraction or from a worn cylinder — replacement may be needed. This is assessed after the fragment is removed.
Broken Key in the Ignition
The same principles apply — do not push further, do not turn the ignition with a fragment inside. Call us with your vehicle year, make, and model. In most cases the fragment can be extracted without ignition cylinder replacement, and a replacement key is cut and programmed on the same call. See our automotive locksmith services page for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the lock need to be replaced after key extraction?
Usually not — in most cases the cylinder is undamaged after professional extraction and a new key is cut on the same call. If the cylinder was already damaged before the break or was damaged during a DIY extraction attempt, replacement may be needed.
How do I prevent keys from breaking in my locks?
Have worn or bent keys replaced before they break. Keep locks lubricated — a stiff lock puts extra stress on the key every time it is turned. In Fort McMurray winters, use lock-specific lubricant (not WD-40 as a long-term lubricant — it attracts dirt) to keep cylinders operating smoothly in cold weather.
How much does broken key extraction cost?
We quote the full price before starting any work. Call 780-588-5383 with your situation and we will give you a clear price before dispatching.
Fort McMurray Locksmith — broken key extraction for homes, vehicles, and businesses across Fort McMurray.
Call 780-588-5383 or Book a Locksmith in Fort McMurray.