Broken Key Removal Specialists Available 24/7
Fixed Quotes Before Any Work Begins
Fully Insured & DBS-Checked Locksmiths
Non-Destructive Key Extraction First
Replacement Keys, Locks & Cylinders Supplied
If your key snapped in the door lock, the worst thing you can do (and yet we see it all the time) is try to force it. So listen now, whatever you do, stop, and don’t force it. Honestly, the most common mistake we see in London is someone trying to push the broken part back inside to turn it, and that almost always makes the situation worse.
Now, getting a snapped key inside a door lock usually means the metal has weakened through wear and tear, or the internal mechanisms are stiff, and the lock won’t turn. Honestly, it is really easy to do! While both are good brands/lock types in their own right, both Yale locks and Euro cylinder locks are more prone to key breakage because of their pin tumbler design. Then you just need to add an outside factor, such as dirt inside the lock cylinder, temperature changes, or a slightly bent key, and it’s the perfect situation for a key broken in half.
However, if the broken key protrudes from the lock, it’s easier to remove the broken key, whereas if it’s flush or fully stuck inside, the job becomes more delicate. Whichever situation you find yourself in, don’t use force, and definitely don’t reach for super glue.
Now, keys do snap for several reasons… Constant use can weaken the metal blade, some (cheaper) manufacturers often use thinner metal, which bends more easily, or over time, tiny stress fractures develop until one day the key stuck becomes a key snapped situation.
There are environmental factors to consider as well… extreme temperature changes can also affect the lock. Hot weather expands materials slightly. Cold contracts them. That movement can increase friction inside the lock cylinder.
Then you have the common issue of the buildup of dirt or debris in the door lock, which is another common cause. When internal pins don’t move freely, the key needs extra pressure to turn. That added force leads to a broken key.
As professional locksmiths, we deal with this all the time, and we often see snapped key cases in deadbolt locks, mortice lock systems and standard Yale locks. The lock type influences how we approach broken key extraction.
Yes, in theory you can, and often people try, but that doesn’t mean you should, or that it is a good idea… People often try removing broken keys using whatever is handy. Paper clips, a jigsaw blade, a hacksaw blade, or needle-nose pliers. Sometimes it works. Often it doesn’t. And it usually makes the issue worse.
If a key fragment is visible and slightly protruding, thin tweezers or needle-nose pliers can gently pull it out. The key easier to remove when there’s something to grab. Lubricating the lock with graphite powder or a silicone-based lubricant can reduce friction and help the broken piece slide out.
Do not use oil-based lubricants or standard WD-40. They attract dirt and can gum up the pins.
If the broken part is deep inside, sliding a thin jigsaw blade or broken key extractor tool alongside the serrated edge of the key fragment may help hook and extract it. But it requires patience and a steady hand.
The problem is this. Several attempts with improvised tools often push the broken piece deeper. That increases the risk of causing damage to internal components. What could have been a simple job becomes a full lock replacement.
Professionals strongly advise against using super glue on a matchstick. Excess glue can permanently ruin the lock mechanisms.
A professional locksmith arrives with the right tools and specialised tools designed specifically for broken key extraction. A proper key extractor is thin, shaped to hook onto the grooves of the key, and designed to remove the broken key without drilling.
Reputable locksmiths prioritise non-destructive methods over power tools. The goal is to fix the exact situation without damaging the existing hardware.
A skilled locksmith can remove snapped keys from all types of locks, including deadbolt locks, mortice lock systems, euro cylinders and even window lock units. The locksmith removal process involves carefully sliding extraction tools into the keyway, catching the broken part, and gently pulling it free.
If the key is too damaged to duplicate, a locksmith skilled in key cutting can often create a new key from the remaining piece.
We find that in most cases, broken key extraction takes half an hour or less.
There are many, many reasons why you should at least call a professional…
Professionals (like ourselves) will always strongly advise against using super glue on a matchstick to extract a broken key fragment, as excess glue can permanently ruin the lock.
As a professional locksmith, we have specialist tools (ready and waiting in our van) that most general tradespeople or householders wouldn’t have in their toolkits.
A locksmith is familiar with many different types of locks. More than that, a good locksmith knows the easiest way to solve a key that broke in your door lock. Also, he knows a crucial thing – what not to do to make it worse!
Then there is the risk that if you attempt to remove a broken key yourself, you may push the broken part further into the lock, making extraction more difficult and costly.
And, if you don’t feel comfortable attempting to remove a broken key, it’s best to call a professional locksmith.
So, to sum it up, choosing a locksmith with proper accreditation can ensure their workmanship and reliability.
Now, there are times (however occasionally), the broken key cannot be removed cleanly, such as if the fragment has twisted inside the cylinder or internal pins are damaged, lock repair or full replacement may be necessary.
So, unfortunately, if we cannot extract the broken piece safely, we may need to replace the damaged lock with a new lock. The cost will depend on the lock type and materials required.
And it is little surprise that replacing the entire multipoint mechanism on a uPVC door is more complex than swapping a standard cylinder. We determine the best method after assessing the damage.
We always explain the final price before proceeding. The aim is to restore security and allow you to unlock your door safely without further damage.
Now, while there is no one-size-fits-all job in this business, we can give you some ballpark figures (and the locksmith can always explain rough estimates over the phone). Just so you have an idea, the cost to remove a broken key in the UK typically ranges between £60 and £120, but prices range a lot depending on the lock you have and the security.
London prices can be slightly higher than those in rural areas due to geographical factors. If the broken key cannot be extracted, the locksmith may need to replace the entire lock, which could add another £100 or more for labor and materials, depending on the type of lock.
If the service is needed outside of regular business hours, an emergency call-out fee may also apply. Hourly rate variations apply depending on the time of day.
Many London locksmith services aim to attend emergency key extraction within 15 to 30 minutes, where possible.
If it turns into a full lock replacement, costs can increase depending on the lock and required materials.
And remember that insurance does not usually cover a snapped key unless it is linked to attempted forced entry.
It is bad enough that it happened once, and we want to be sure it doesn’t occur again, so once we remove a broken key, we check the lock cylinder for stiffness. Often, the key broken was a symptom of a deeper issue.
We will always clean out debris using compressed air and apply graphite or silicone-based lubricant to reduce friction. We inspect for worn pins or internal damage.
If your spare key is thin, bent or worn, replace it. Using a worn spare key increases the risk of another snapped key incident.
Regular maintenance matters (we call this preventative maintenance), and a quick service every few years can prevent stuck key situations. Extreme force is never needed to turn a healthy lock.
If the lock feels tight, don’t force it. Contact a locksmith (like us) before it becomes a lock emergency.
As with any emergency situation, when a key snapped inside a lock, the first few minutes matter more than people realise. Although this is only because every attempt to twist, push or force the key fragment increases the risk of internal scoring along the pins and chamber walls, and even small scratches inside the lock cylinder can affect how smoothly a new key operates later.
Remember that if pressure is applied repeatedly, the broken part can wedge itself across the pin stack, which may bend internal components. Then, once that happens, a simple broken key extraction can turn into a full cylinder replacement. Acting quickly and avoiding force protects the existing hardware.
There is also the security aspect. A key stuck halfway inside a door lock can prevent proper locking. In some cases, the door may appear secure but the locking mechanism has not fully engaged. That leaves the property vulnerable.
Prompt professional key extraction restores proper operation, ensures the locking points engage fully, and confirms the door is genuinely secure again.
So whatever you do, remember that if you get a broken key stuck in your door, don’t risk causing damage.
We provide emergency key extraction service across London. Fast attendance. Right tools. Non-destructive methods wherever possible.
Whether it’s a snapped key in cylinder London flat entrance, a key stuck in a mortice lock, or broken key extraction from a deadbolt, we restore access and secure the door properly.
Call us, and we’ll handle it safely. Get in touch with us today!
The best method is using a proper broken key extractor tool. Avoid force, super glue or pushing the fragment deeper.
If the key protrudes slightly, needle nose pliers may work. If it is flush or stuck deep, professional key extraction is safer.
Most jobs range between £60 and £120. A simple broken key extraction service in London often costs around £85.
Not always. If we can remove the broken piece without damaging the lock cylinder, replacement is not necessary.
Yes. A skilled locksmith can often cut a new key even if the original key broken is incomplete.
