Residential · Locksmith Service
Broken Key Extraction
Got a key that is broken in your door lock, cylinder, vehicle lock, or supported ignition? We provide a broken key extraction service to remove the broken key fragment and check if the key, lock, cylinder, or ignition requires service.
Continuing to manipulate a broken key can push the fragment deeper or damage surrounding hardware. If you are able to describe where the key broke, it will help direct the service to the appropriate area.
- Residential & Automotive Support
- Emergency Service
- Licensed
- Bonded
- Insured
Why Do Keys Break in Locks?
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The Key Is Worn or Cracked
Repeated use can weaken a key, especially if it is a thinner key blade.
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The Lock Is Sticking or Binding
If your cylinder or deadbolt is difficult to turn, additional force is applied to the key and can cause damage.
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The Key Is Bent or Damaged
If the key is damaged, it can bend as it turns.
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The Wrong Key Is Jammed in the Lock
If you try to jam a key that does not fit the cylinder, it will bind and eventually break.
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Misaligned Door and Lock Create Resistance
Misalignment of the latch or deadbolt can create additional binding feel when turning a key that is properly cut.
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Ignition and Lock Wear
In supported automotive situations, a worn key can contribute to breakage of the ignition or lock cylinder.
What the Extraction Leads To
Removing the key fragment is just the first step. The next step depends on where the key broke and what the hardware check shows.
| Where the key broke | Likely follow-up service |
|---|---|
| House door lock and the lock still operates smoothly | Broken Key Extraction only |
| House door lock cylinder is sticking or worn | Lock Repair |
| Residential hardware is no longer reliable | Lock Replacement |
| The original key was badly worn | Key Duplication or Lock Rekeying |
| Vehicle door, trunk lock, or ignition | Car Key Replacement or Ignition Repair |
| You are also locked out because the key broke | House Lockout, Car Lockout, or Emergency Locksmith |
What Is Broken Key Extraction?
Broken key extraction is the removal of a broken key fragment that is stuck in a lock, cylinder or a supported vehicle lock or ignition. The ultimate goal is to solve the key break issue without creating further damage to the hardware.
Removing the key fragment is just the first step in the process. A broken key often happens because other issues are occurring, the key may be worn, the lock may be binding, the cylinder may be jammed, or the ignition may be difficult to operate. After the fragment is removed, the relevant hardware should be checked.
Broken House Key in a Door Lock
If a house key breaks, part of the key may get stuck in the door cylinder, lock, mailbox, knob, lever, or other supported residential lock.
After the broken key is removed, the lock should be tested to see if it can be operated smoothly with a key. If the cylinder is sticking or is worn or damaged, Lock Repair may be the next best step. If the hardware is no longer reliable, Lock Replacement may be the better course of action.
If the original key was worn very badly, a duplicate of the supported key or rekeying, if the lock and key condition is acceptable, may be an option to consider.
Broken Key in Vehicle Lock or Ignition
If a key breaks in a door lock, trunk lock, or an ignition, a broken key may have been used. In the case of car extraction, the key service may vary from residential key service due to the vehicle's year, make, and model, as well as the condition of the ignition and key system.
After extraction, Car Key Replacement or Ignition Repair, or another automotive locksmith service, may be needed. Assessing the key system instead of replacing the key may be a better idea, depending on if the key was difficult to turn or if the ignition was sticking.
Broken Key Extraction vs. Lock Repair
The goal of broken key extraction is to remove the broken key. Lock repair focuses on restoring the functionality of the lock. In some cases, broken key extraction is the only service needed. On some occasions, broken key extraction is needed to remove a broken key fragment to access a stuck cylinder which would require a lock repair.
If it is determined that the lock cannot be restored to a functioning state, then lock replacement would be the service that is most appropriate.
Broken Key Extraction vs. Key Replacement
Removing a broken key fragment does not result in the creation of a working key. If the key becomes so broken that it becomes completely unusable after extraction, then a new key must be made.
For supported residential keys, duplication of keys may be related if a good source key is available. In the case of vehicle keys, either Car Key Replacement or programming will need to be done, depending on the key system.
Reduce the Risk of Breaking Keys
Replace or duplicate worn or failing keys before they break. Do not overexert yourself when a key is resisting.
Have your locks checked if you feel a binding or sticking sensation, and avoid living with long-term resistance from sticking or binding doors or deadbolts.
Have your key and ignition checked by an automotive locksmith if key binding is a recurring problem.
How it works
How Our Broken Key Extraction Service Works
- 1
Explain the Location of the Broken Key
Disclose whether the key broke in a house lock, commercial lock, vehicle lock, trunk, or supported ignition.
- 2
Describe the Preceding Events
Describe whether the key was bent, starting to break, or stuck in a lock that has sticky action.
- 3
Evaluate the Fragment and Hardware
The technician evaluates the broken key fragment, the condition of the lock or ignition, the accessibility of the lock or ignition, and the circumstances surrounding the event.
- 4
Remove the Broken Fragment
The objective is to minimize damage to the surrounding lock or cylinder while removing the key fragment with the extraction tool.
- 5
Test & Identify the Follow-Up
The lock, key, cylinder, or ignition is checked so the customer knows whether they need to have the lock or cylinder repaired or replaced, rekeyed, or a new key made.
What Should You Do If a Key Breaks in a Lock?
- Do not turn the broken key fragment.
- Do not continue to insert other keys into the same hole.
- Do not try to pry the broken key with various tools like screwdrivers, glue, and similar.
- Hold the broken key fragment so the locksmith can identify the break point.
- Let the locksmith know if the lock is from a house, a business, a car, or an ignition.
- Inform the locksmith if the lock was difficult to turn before it broke.
Broken Key Removal Times
The service time depends on the location of the broken piece, the type of lock or ignition, the condition of the hardware, as well as if additional work needs to be done. Extracting a piece that is visibly broken in an easily accessible cylinder is not the same as removing a key that is stuck deeply in a damaged or sticking lock.
Lock & Key Pros offers Emergency Services and Same Day Services. The scheduling is tailored to the needs of the customer.
Broken Key Extraction Cost & Pricing
The cost for a broken key extraction is influenced by the location of the break, the extent of the fragment lodged in the lock or ignition, the lock or ignition's condition, and the services required after the extraction.
Pricing is affected by whether the situation is residential, commercial, or automotive; whether it is a door lock, deadbolt, cylinder, vehicle lock, or ignition; the position and depth of the broken piece; the condition of the lock, cylinder, or ignition; whether there is a lockout situation as well; and whether repair, replacement, rekeying, or a new key is necessary.
For the pricing, where the key break occurs and if part of the key is still visible must be known. If a car, then the year, make, and model of the vehicle along with where the key broke, either in the door lock or ignition.
Broken Key Extraction Service Areas
Lock & Key Pros provides broken-key extraction across its service areas for supported residential and automotive situations.
Why Choose Lock & Key Pros for Broken Key Extraction?
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Problem + Cause Assessment
The service looks beyond the fragment to determine whether the key, lock, cylinder, or ignition contributed to the break.
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Residential & Automotive Routing
Broken-key situations can be connected to the correct home or vehicle service path.
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Emergency Service
Broken keys can create immediate access problems, and Emergency Service is part of the confirmed offering.
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Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Lock & Key Pros has confirmed these business credentials.
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Clear Follow-Up Options
Repair, replacement, rekeying, key duplication, car-key replacement, and ignition service can be connected based on what the extraction reveals.
Broken Key Extraction FAQs
Can a locksmith remove a broken key from a lock?
Yes. Broken Key Extraction is part of the Lock & Key Pros service inventory for supported lock and key situations.
What should I do if my key snaps inside the lock?
Stop forcing the key or inserting improvised tools. Keep the portion of the key you still have and request extraction service.
Can a broken key damage the lock?
Yes. The fragment itself or attempts to remove it can damage the cylinder, especially if the lock was already binding.
Will the lock still operate after the broken key is extracted?
There are a couple of factors that determine this. We will first perform an extraction to see how the lock is functioning. Based on that, we can determine if a repair or a replacement is needed.
Will you remove a broken key from the ignition?
The ignition and the specific make and model of the vehicle will also determine the service that is required.
Will I have to purchase a new key after the extraction?
If the broken key is the only key you have or if the second key is also damaged, then additional services for a replacement key will likely be required. There are differences in the processes for keys for vehicles and keys for residences.
Should I repair or replace the lock if a key breaks?
Replacement is the better option if the lock is damaged beyond the ability to repair it.
How much does this service cost?
The pricing will depend on the condition of the lock or ignition, the location of the broken key, and any additional services that will be required after this. Please call for a pricing quote.
Do you do broken key extractions as an emergency service?
Lock & Key Pros provides emergency lock and key services.
Do you do broken key extractions in Tarzana?
Yes. Broken key extraction services are available in and around Tarzana. Please check out the Tarzana page for our local info and this page for our complete broken key extraction services.
Did Part of Your Key Break Off Inside a Lock or Ignition?
Tell us what lock, vehicle, and type of key you are dealing with, as well as whether the lock or ignition was tough to open in the first place. Lock & Key Pros can direct you to key extraction and the proper follow-up service based on the information provided.