Key snapped in the lock: what to do

A key has broken off in your door lock. What to try, what not to do, and when to call a locksmith.

By LockedPrice · Updated 1 October 2026

First, don't force it

Stop turning. Forcing the broken half pushes the rest of the key deeper and can damage the pins inside the cylinder, which turns a quick extraction into a lock replacement.

Don't put glue on the broken piece to pull it out. If it runs into the lock, the cylinder will need replacing.
Don't use oil or WD-40 to loosen it. It makes the broken piece harder to grip.
If part of the key is sticking out, you can try to grip it with thin pliers or tweezers and pull it straight out, without twisting.

If the door is open or you can still get in

You're not in a hurry. Leave the door on the latch or lock it from the other side if you can, and book a locksmith for a planned visit. That's usually cheaper than an emergency call-out.

What a locksmith will do

Most broken keys can be extracted with specialist tools in a few minutes, and the lock keeps working. If the cylinder is damaged, swapping a euro cylinder is a quick job. Ask for a new key cut from the original code or the extracted pieces rather than using the broken key's twin, which may be worn too.

Why keys snap

Usually a worn key, a stiff lock or forcing a key that doesn't quite fit. If your lock has been stiff for a while, have it looked at before the next key goes.

Questions

Can a snapped key be removed without replacing the lock?

Usually, yes. A locksmith can normally extract it with specialist tools and the lock keeps working, unless the cylinder was damaged by forcing it.

Should I use superglue to get a broken key out?

No. If glue gets into the cylinder the lock will need replacing.

Is a snapped key an emergency?

Only if you can't get in or can't secure the door. Otherwise a planned visit is usually cheaper.