If you’re still living in the dark ages and using an actual key instead of upgrading to a slick biometric e-lock, then you probably find yourself in “sticky” situations more often than not. Like when your key just casually snapped in half in the lock, leaving you in wonder and a bit of an existential crisis that makes you think, why me?
While you can’t sue a key for emotional damage—even if you wanted to—you can try a hack or two before calling the locksmith in NYC. Let’s do some damage control with some tricks, the last one being our favorite.
Top Hacks for Broken Key Extraction from a Lock
If you’re an experimental type, you might be ready to try anything before calling a locksmith in NYC. So, here are some tricks you can try to get out of a broken-key-stuck-in-lock situation.
Take a Moment to Understand the Situation
First things first, don’t panic. Give the situation a visual inspection to see what you’re working with. Is it a deadbolt or a regular doorknob lock? Your gut reaction might be, “Let me see if I can grab it with something.” Resist the urge. Do not jab a pen, hairpin, screwdriver, or random office paperclip into the lock out of desperation.
You could accidentally push the broken key further in or damage the pins inside the lock. If you see a peak of it, you have more chances than not of getting it out on your own. But if it’s all swallowed up, then it’s better to call a locksmith in NYC without another thought.
Pull the Keys Out with Beeswax
If the key is just inside the lock and there’s not enough sticking out to grab, beeswax might do the trick. Grab a small clump and warm it up enough to make it pliable and sticky, not melty. Press the wax firmly into the keyhole. The goal is for it to smoosh around the broken key and get a decent grip. Pull it straight back out.
If you’re lucky and a little patient, the broken key bit might just hitch a ride out with the wax. Plus, beeswax doesn’t leave a mess like glue or gum would. And while you’re out getting the wax, call the locksmith in NYC and get some new quality keys made, and make sure because this isn’t the kind of thing you want to repeat.
ALSO READ: What to Do If You’re Locked Out of Your House
Hack the Lock with Fish Hooks, Paperclips & DIY Hook Tools
If there’s a bit of the broken key stuck in the back of the lock and you can’t grab it with your fingers, it’s time to use a hook.
- A fishhook: bend it straight-ish with pliers
- A paperclip: unfold and shape one end into a tiny hook
- Mechanic’s wire: if you’re fancy or have a toolbox
What you’re doing is fishing the hook behind the broken key fragment and pulling it toward you. It sounds simple, and honestly? It can be. Gently wiggle and twist to get the hook to catch the grooves of the key, then tug carefully. If it works, it works. But be careful to not damage the lock further.
Use Pluck Tweezers or Pliers
So let’s say you got lucky and part of the key is still visible, just enough for a tiny grab. Then try working with tweezers. Not your bulky, eyebrow-plucking ones. You can go for the ones in the Swiss army knife or fine-tip precision tweezers; grip firmly and pull straight. No twisting. If you feel it slipping, stop and reset your grip. This method works best if the broken bit is sticking out just a smidge.
You can also check your miscellaneous drawer for some needle-nose pliers and try the same method. Again, just be careful to not push it in so deep that you’d end up having to call a locksmith in NYC and deal with twice as much of a bill for fixing the lock along with the key.
Our Favorite: The Potato Method
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Will it fix your lock? Um, probably not. But it will make your day better. You need to acquire one large potato and wash it. Microwave it. Just enough to make it soft enough.
Press the potato firmly onto the lock, grab a rubber mallet, and gently hammer the potato into the lock. Place a bowl underneath to catch the potato. Now… call a locksmith in NYC. While you wait, enjoy the warm potato bits in the bowl. Maybe sprinkle some salt and pretend this was the plan all along.
Just Call The NYC Locksmith
Look, life’s already chaotic. You’ve got meetings, a Netflix show to finish, and unwashed laundry, and you’ve been ignoring them for three days. Why would you want to waste your time trying to pick a lock when you can call The NYC Locksmith for a fast response and actual tools?
Locked out? Key snapped? Tried all the hacks, and now your door looks worse than when you started? Let us handle it. We work with all kinds of locks everywhere—cars, drawers, bathrooms, offices, and more. Save us as your emergency contact, and you will have us when you need us. Get in touch now.