Why does my key only turn some of the time in the front door?
A key that turns only some of the time usually points to one of two things: a cylinder that is worn or gummed up with grit, or a door that has shifted slightly so the bolt no longer lines up with the frame. Either one is a repair a locksmith can sort out, and it is worth doing before the lock stops turning altogether.
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The detail that tells them apart is whether the key struggles with the door open as well as closed. If the lock is stiff even with the door open, the problem is inside the lock. If it is only stiff when the door is shut, the door and frame are the likelier cause.
Why it happens
Inside the cylinder are small moving parts that have to line up exactly when the key is fully in. Dirt, corrosion, or years of wear on the key and the parts inside can stop them lining up every time. That gives you a lock that works on some attempts and not others.
A wooden door also swells and shrinks with the seasons, and hinges can loosen over time. A small shift is enough for the bolt to rub against the strike plate or the edge of the hole in the frame. The key then feels stiff only at certain times of year, or only when the door is pulled or pushed a certain way.
The key itself can be part of it. A worn or slightly bent key, or a copy cut from another copy, may not match the lock as precisely as the original did.
What you can check yourself
- Test with the door openWhile you are safely inside with the door open, turn the key and watch the bolt move. If it is smooth open but stiff closed, the door alignment is the likelier cause.
- Try a spare keyIf a spare turns more easily, the first key is probably worn. If both are equally stiff, the lock is the more likely cause.
- Look at the keyCheck for a bend, a cracked edge or smoothed-down teeth. Do not try to straighten a bent key, as it can snap.
- Do not force itPushing hard against a stiff key is how keys break off in the lock. If it will not turn, ease off and try again gently.
- 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 lock as it is and let a locksmith clean it properly.
When to call a locksmith
A lock that works only now and then can fail completely at an awkward moment, so it is easier to deal with while it still works. Call (866) 690-5848 and we will arrange a visit from an independent locksmith.
If the lock has already stopped working and you are outside, the locksmith will ask for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter the home before opening anything. A driver's licence showing the address, a lease or a utility bill all work. This is also why this page cannot be used as a how-to. The estimate is free, and the locksmith gives you the price before starting. Work begins only once you agree to it.
What the locksmith will do
- Find out where the fault isThe locksmith separates the lock itself from the door and the frame to see which one is causing the stiffness.
- Clean and restore the cylinderWhere the cylinder is the cause, it is cleaned and lubricated with the right product, then re-pinned or replaced if it is too worn to recover.
- Adjust the door hardwareIf the door has moved, the strike plate and hinges are adjusted so the bolt meets the frame cleanly.
- Test it properlyThe latch and deadbolt are tested open and closed several times before the job is finished.
Related questions
- Will my lock get better on its own?
- Seldom. If the cause is a seasonal change in the door, it may ease for a while and return later. Wear or grit in the cylinder tends to get worse with use.
- Do I need a new lock, or can it be repaired?
- Often the cylinder can be cleaned and re-pinned, or the door hardware adjusted, without replacing the whole lock. The locksmith looks at it first, then tells you what is needed and gives the price for you to approve.
- Why is it worse in certain weather?
- Wooden doors take up and lose moisture through the year, which can change how the bolt meets the frame. Grit and corrosion in the cylinder can also make the key feel different from one season to the next.
- Does the locksmith have to be licensed?
- Licensing varies by state. Some states license or register locksmiths, others leave it to cities or counties, and some do not regulate the trade at all. Check with your own state or city for the rules where you live.
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