Why does my key go in all the way but the lock won't turn?
When a key goes in fully but won't turn, the cause is usually one of three things: grit or corrosion inside the cylinder, a worn or bent key, or a door that has shifted so the latch or deadbolt is pressing against the frame. A locksmith can tell which one it is by looking at the lock.
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The one detail that changes the answer is whether the lock is stiff only while the door is shut. If the key turns freely with the door open but not when it is closed, the problem is usually the door and frame, not the lock itself.
Why it happens
Inside the cylinder are small parts that have to line up exactly for the key to turn. Dirt, grit or corrosion can stop them moving cleanly. A key that is worn, or a copy that was cut slightly off, may slide in all the way and still fail to line those parts up.
Doors also move. A wooden door swells and shrinks with the seasons, and hinges loosen over time. When that happens the bolt no longer sits squarely in the strike plate, and the key feels stiff or refuses to turn even though the lock is fine.
Which of these is behind it often depends on the weather where you are. Seasonal movement in a wooden door and grit or corrosion in the cylinder are the two usual answers.
What you can check yourself
- Try your spare keyIf a spare turns the lock easily, the first key is probably worn or badly cut, and the lock is likely fine.
- Compare the door open and shutIf you are inside with the door open, try the key and bolt. A lock that works freely open but sticks when the door is shut points to the door or frame.
- Look at the keyA bent, cracked or visibly worn key is worth setting aside. Do not keep using it in the lock.
- Do not force itForcing a stiff key is how it snaps, and a broken key makes the job larger.
- Leave the oil and sprays aloneOil or a general-purpose spray can gum a cylinder up worse than it was. It is better to leave the cylinder clean for the locksmith.
When to call a locksmith
Call when the key still won't turn after you have tried a spare, or when the lock gets stiffer each time you use it. Stop using the lock if the key feels as if it might bend or break. To arrange a visit with an independent locksmith, call (866) 690-5848.
If the stuck lock means you cannot get into the home, the locksmith will ask for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter before opening anything. A driver's licence with the address, a lease or a utility bill all work. The locksmith gives you the price after looking at the lock, and work starts only once you agree to it. The estimate is free.
What the locksmith will do
- Find the real causeThe locksmith checks whether the fault is in the lock itself or in how the door and frame sit together.
- Clean and restore the cylinderWhere grit or corrosion is the cause, the cylinder is cleaned and lubricated, then re-pinned or replaced if it is worn out.
- Adjust the door hardwareIf the door has moved, the strike plate and hinges are adjusted so the latch and bolt line up again.
- Test it repeatedlyThe latch and deadbolt are tested open and closed several times before the job is finished.
Related questions
- Can a worn key cause this even if it goes in fully?
- Yes. A key can slide all the way in and still not line up the parts inside the cylinder if its cuts are worn down or were copied poorly. Trying a spare is the quickest way to tell.
- Does a stiff lock mean I need a new lock?
- Not always. A cleaned cylinder or a small adjustment to the strike plate or hinges often settles it. The locksmith will tell you whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense before you agree to the price.
- Why is the lock worse in some seasons?
- A wooden door swells and shrinks with the weather, which changes how the bolt meets the frame. Grit and corrosion in the cylinder can also show up more in some conditions.
- What does it cost to fix a lock that won't turn?
- It depends on the lock type, how many doors are involved, the time of day, whether parts are needed and whether a key has to be cut. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed before any work starts.
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