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Is Your Key Stuck or Lock Jammed?
Door lock not turning? Lock turns but doesn’t open? Do you have a broken key? If key won’t turn, our experts will help! These are some of the most common issues we deal with here at Kensington Locksmith London. A situation like this can result from a stuck lock cylinder, as well as multiple other causes.
When your key won’t turn in lock don’t try any jammed door lock fixes yourself as you could end up damaging the door, the mechanism or lock even further.
Fix a Non-Turning Door Lock Today
If you attempt to fix a lock cylinder yourself by poking things or spraying things inside, a simple door lock fix can turn into something more costly such as a full lock replacing service.
When you are dealing with things like a stiff lock or key breaks, call a professional locksmith in Kensington.
We are an MLA approve reputable locksmith and we can prevent further damage by assessing any potential issues and giving the right high quality lock solution.
Call us today 24/7 on 07884675945 if you’re dealing with an emergency situation such as a lock out or broken piece inside the lock.
Reasons why your door lock is not turning
Fully functioning locks should turn and open every time, provided you’re not using the wrong key, whether you have a mortice lock on a timber door or a Euro cylinder on a uPVC door.
A key broken inside the lock can cause frustration, but there are many reasons why the lock itself is not turning:
Locking mechanism broken
The main cause of lock problems is usually the lock itself, and if even one of the internal parts of the door locks is not quite right, the door will simply not open or lock. If it’s not a broken key inside the lock, it’s most likely the lock failure, whether it’s a 5-lever mortice lock or a Euro cylinder.
The latch or bolt is out of line
Misalignment can happen for a number of reasons, including the foundations of your property shifting and humidity, which causes the wood to swell. The screws holding the lock faceplate in place must line up exactly with the bolt, and the latch will not be able to turn into the door frame.
Cylinder failure
The internal components of a lock can be very delicate, and if one piece is out of line, even the right key won’t be able to open it. Whether it’s a damaged cylinder or a broken cam, the mechanism will not be able to turn, even with force to lock or unlock the door.
Lock seizure
Just like any mechanical mechanism, locks need lubricants to be able to turn when you insert the key fully. It can usually be fixed by adding non-oil-based lubricants into the keyhole, but do not try to fix it yourself with WD-40, as this can make the situation worse.
Worn-out key
This is most common on doors where the key has been used for many years, wearing down the specific ridges that allow the pins to align. If you’ve had new keys made, they may have been poorly cut so that the new key won’t slide in easily in the exact right position. Check the ridges on your key and make sure it’s not bent.
Mechanical issues with the locking mechanism or just bad alignment?
Whether it’s a mortice lock, rim cylinder, Euro cylinder or night latch that’s affected, you need to be sure if it’s the actual lock or just a misalignment with the lock and the strike plate. Here’s how to tell:
If it’s a mechanical problem, then the key might make a grinding sound when inserted, and you feel slight resistance.
When the lock is wobbling or loose, or the whole cylinder is twisting with the key, then it’s an issue with the lock itself.
If lubrication solves the issue, but then it returns to not working, it is the lock that’s the problem.
You should check the alignment if the lock works fine, but the door is catching or jamming when you shut it.
When the door seems loose and there are gaps between the door and frame, it might be an issue with the screws of the hinges not being tight enough.
The face plate screws should always be flush and not sticking out, so check around the strike plate as well as the metal door plate near the latch.
What NOT to do when your door lock won’t turn
- Don’t keep trying to force the lock to turn; you could damage the key or break the cylinder
- Never put oil-based lubricants inside the lock, as they can gum the cylinder pins and levers
- Don’t try to take the lock apart, as you might not be able to put it back together again
- Look out for signs of regular wear and tear over time, and act before it becomes an issue
- Don’t keep putting the key in repeatedly, as you can wear it down and cause misalignment
Your secure options for a door lock that is not turning
If you are confronted by a door lock that simply won’t turn, here are some things to try:
- Use a new key that is different from the one you’re using, such as a copy
- Spray silicone lubricant into the lock or a graphite solution, never use WD-40
- If the door opens, close it slowly and pay attention to the alignment with the frame
- In cold weather, the lock could be frozen, so put the key in hot water then try it again
- Loose hinges, plates and screws could be an issue, so tighten them up with a screwdriver
- If the key has broken off inside, try to pull it out with some small nosed pliers.
When you’ve tried everything you can think of, pick up the phone and call a professional locksmith.
We offer a 24/7 emergency locksmith service in Kensington on 07884675945.
We offer fast, reliable, and affordable door lock repairs
Wherever you are in Kensington, and whether you’re a business or a homeowner, we offer a speedy same-day repair service.
Moreover, we can provide a quick and easy fix to most types of door lock, including mortice sashlocks, Euro cylinders, rim cylinders, and night latches too. We’ll help with Banham, Yale, Ultion, ERA, Mul t lock and so on.
If we aren’t able to repair your lock problems, we can replace it fully by installing a brand new lock mechanism.
Also, if it’s a case of a poorly cut key, we can make you a brand new one to use with the lock.
We always try to gain access to properties with a non-destructive method to keep costs down, and we’ll aim to diagnose the lock problems right away to offer the correct solution.
When you need an emergency locksmith, reach out to us on 07884675945 or book a free consultation on our website.
