Slide the key in the lock and tap lightly on the key to lubricate the inside of the lock.
Key won t work in door lock.
What to do if your house key won t turn in the lock spray the lock with lubricant to remove dirt and dust.
When spraying the lock.
Simply spray the lubricant into the keyway and insert the key a few times to work the lubricant into the mechanism.
Many door knob and lockset problems can be corrected before they become so serious that the lockset does not work at all.
If the key won t go into the lock ask yourself if the weather is cold enough for the lock to be frozen.
Repeat heating and inserting the key until the ice has melted.
In most cases a spritz of dry lubricant will be sufficient to free up the plug and allow you to open your door.
Once taken apart use gum out or a similar type of cleaner to clean the inside of the lock and all moving parts.
Key won t go all the way into door lock.
Blow strongly in the lock and put wd40 or graphite inside but not both.
Between this morning when you locked the door to now there s also the easy chance that your key got bent.
If you have a key that won t work in the lock please see how to.
In the future keep a lock de icer on hand.
Spray the door key with a graphite based lubricant.
Here we look at repairs for locksets and knobs.
Outdoor locks can collect a lot of dirt and dust inside the lock.
Over the decades the face of a lock will get worn where the key touches it.
Often a malfunctioning latch assembly or lock mechanism causes the problem.
This same technique will work on a lock that is very old and worn.
Try to insert gently the key and apply some.
Expert advice on how to repair common problems with door knob locks and deadbolts such as stuck or frozen door locks latches that don t latch and keys broken off in door locks.
You can even push the key up towards the top of the lock with some degree of success depending on how tightly the keyway was manufactured.
When to call a locksmith.
Flip the key and open the door.
Remove it gently with a piece of steel wire a small guitar string for example.
Get a screwdriver and remove the screws holding the lock on your door.
If this method does not work you may need to use a more solvent based lubricant like wd 40 to loosen the dirt.
If it is hold the key with a heavy glove and heat it with a match or lighter and then work it gradually into the keyway.
If your key will only go into the lock partway there may be an obstruction blocking it.