What to do if the key does not turn in the door lock

The lock of the front door is jammed - what to do, how to open the door to the room and the entrance metal door, what to lubricate, how to protect it from jamming

Any person can face a common problem when the front door lock gets stuck. If the key is used incorrectly, this nuisance happens quite often. You can avoid a recurrence of this situation not only through careful handling, but also through regular maintenance of the door opening mechanism. If for some reason the lock of the front door is jammed, it is advisable to independently figure out the cause of the jamming and then try to eliminate it.

How do door locks work and why do they jam?

It is possible to avoid difficulties with opening a jammed lock only if the user first carefully understands their device. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the existing varieties of these products and methods for disassembling them. Based on the method of controlling the locking latch, known models of locks are divided into mechanical products, as well as their electromechanical and electromagnetic analogues.

The principle of their operation follows from the name. In the first case, the lock is opened manually with a key inserted from the outside. In the second and third options, an electromagnetic or electric drive is used for this, connected to a separate power supply and triggered by dialing a code or a magnetic key fob.

Mechanical locks jam due to small foreign particles getting into them and subsequent failure of the opening mechanism. In e/m and electrical analogues, the reasons for the lock jamming are more complex. If they break down, it is best to contact a repair shop.

Lubricating the lock is a preventive measure

If the key regularly jams, but the mechanism continues to work, try lubricating it. This method will restore the normal movement of the mechanism components, and the key will turn more easily. For lubrication, a special liquid WD-40 is used - this is a universal material. The most reliable way is to dismantle the device, disassemble it and gradually lubricate each working component.

Lubrication is recommended for preventive purposes. Periodic maintenance of the mechanism extends the service life and eliminates sudden problems with opening.

Types of locks and their disassembly

There are many types of door locks, which differ in their parameters and characteristics. So, according to the design features (device) they are:

• Cylinder.
• Suvaldnymi.
• Cross-shaped.

Models called “disk” are also known.

According to the method of installation on the door leaf, all these products are divided into the following types:

• Overhead locks installed on the door leaf from the outside (it is closed from the inside with a latch).
• Mortise devices built into the door body and having a locking mechanism control handle with a tongue.
• Padlocks inserted into special lugs on the door leaf and frame.

Please note: The latter type is usually used to close garage and garden gates from the outside.

If the front door lock jams, the main thing is to familiarize yourself with the principle of its operation and the features of the device. In addition, you will have to learn how to remove the housing product in order to gain access to the trigger mechanism.

In order to remove the overhead or mortise Chinese lock, you will need to remove several screws (from 4 to 6) securing the housing to the door leaf. To disassemble the housing device, you will also have to unscrew several screws securing the cover. After this, access to the locking mechanism, which needs restoration, is opened.

Electromechanical

Before disassembling the electromechanical lock, you should pay attention to its power supply unit and turn off the actuator (solenoid coil) for the duration of the repair. Jamming of such a sample is possible in the crossbar mechanism, which, if possible, should be cleaned of accumulated dirt.

If the moving part of the lock has completely stopped working, it would be wiser and safer to take the lock to a repair shop. The malfunction that occurs may be associated with a failure of the electrical control circuit, which is best dealt with by specialists.

Cylinder

Regardless of the model of cylinder mechanisms, they are all similar in that they contain a so-called “larva” in their design. This part is completely independent in its functionality, and if the entrance door lock is jammed, it is very easy to replace. To do this, you will need a screwdriver, with which you unscrew a special fastener located on the end part of the lock plate.

To remove it, you need to rotate the screwdriver counterclockwise. If it is difficult to remove, you will need to lightly press it from the back. To make it easier to remove the cylinder from the lock body, slightly turning the key in the keyhole will help. In place of the damaged part, another cylinder with a new set of keys is installed.

Mounted

A padlock or padlock most often jams due to the formation of corrosion on the fixation elements and their mechanical deformation. To disassemble it, one screwdriver is also sufficient, with which you unscrew the screws securing the internal mechanism to the case.

After this, you need to clean all structural elements and lubricate them with machine oil. In order not to confuse the sequence of assembly of the product, when disassembling it, it is recommended to photograph each individual operation.

How to replace the larva with your own hands?

Replacing a cylinder in a cylinder mechanism is not so difficult; this work can be done with your own hands. It includes the following steps:

• Remove the armor plate.
• Using a screwdriver, unscrew the fixing screw that holds the lock in the door.
• Remove the faulty cylinder.
• Install the new part and reassemble the components in reverse order.

This work does not take much time and allows you to restore the functionality of the structure. You can purchase a new cylinder at any specialized store; it is selected according to the size and configuration of the lock. To make the right choice, it is better to first remove the old larva and go to the store with it.

Lever locks are much more difficult to repair, so it is recommended to call a specialist. Unprofessional repairs will cause new serious damage, as a result of which the mechanism will have to be opened with master keys. To avoid unnecessary problems, it is safer to use professional help.

The front door lock is jammed - is it due to the door?

The cause of jamming is often the door itself, in which a strong distortion has formed. In this case, due to this or sagging of the door, the locking plate will begin to touch the edges of the hole and will move with great difficulty.

To get rid of this, you will have to remove the door from its hinges and try to eliminate the deformation of the door leaf. If it subsides, you should place washers on the support pins of the canopies, slightly raising the door above the floor level.

Should you try to repair the lock yourself?

Repairing the lock yourself always carries the risk of re-jamming and new malfunctions that can occur at the least opportune moment. In order not to be left outside the apartment without the opportunity to get inside, it is better not to take risks, but to immediately seek professional help. It is beneficial to contact the experts for the following reasons:

• Experience working with various types of structures. Employees regularly encounter breakdowns of lever, cylinder, and hinged structures and know how to handle them correctly.
• A complete set of tools and special master keys. The technician will carefully open the damaged mechanism so that you don’t have to repair the door for a long and expensive time.
• Quick response to requests. You don't have to wait long: our employee will arrive at the address in the shortest possible time.
• Quality and professionalism. We are able to cope with tasks of any complexity.

In addition to opening damaged lock mechanisms, we provide repairs and installations. Call a locksmith to install a new lock and rest assured that the structure will function for many years. A warranty card is provided, it confirms the excellent quality.

Common problems with locking mechanisms

Over time, any of the known lock products can deteriorate. This most often happens for the following reasons:

1. Mechanical deformations, manifested in the form of incomplete insertion of the key, its jamming and jamming.
2. Violation of operating rules.
3. Sagging or severely skewed door
4. Mistakes made during the installation of the lock. .

From the point of view of breakdown, the first case is of greatest interest.

The front door lock is stuck - the key does not fit completely

In addition to mechanical damage, this type of malfunction can occur for the following reasons:

• a lot of dust has accumulated in the internal spaces of the mechanism;
• small foreign objects got there;
• from frequent use of the lock, the mechanism became loose and clogged

In all of the above cases, the only way out of this situation is to completely disassemble the lock after removing it from the door.

The key won't come out

This problem is usually explained by a breakdown of the internal parts of the locking device. In this case, it is possible to open a jammed lock (remove the key) using a special composition - WD-40 spray, buried in the keyhole. After processing, you can try to gently wiggle the key out.

If this does not help, you will have to remove the cylinder from the lock body and use pliers or side cutters. With their help, you should gently rock the key, pull it towards you and try to pull it out. To avoid a recurrence of the problem, experts advise replacing the removed larva with a new one.

The mechanism jams when turning the key

In the situation under consideration, several options for solving the problem are allowed. If jamming is observed only when the door is closed (everything works fine when open), the shape of the box will need to be corrected. This most often comes down to its boring in the area where the lock bolt enters the working groove.

If jamming occurs in any position of the door leaf, you will have to completely disassemble the lock, clean its entire mechanism and lubricate it. If after these manipulations nothing has changed, you should replace the entire lock or just its cylinder (this depends on the specific situation).

The tongue is jammed

To solve this issue, you will need to stock up on a flexible and durable object such as a metal ruler or a knife with a thin blade. One of them should be inserted into the door gap in the area where the lock is located and press firmly.

After this, the beveled tongue will disengage and release the door. To prevent it from jamming again, you will need to disassemble the lock, clean and then lubricate the locking elements. If you don’t plan to use the tongue in the future, you can simply fix it to the so-called “pawl”.

Recommendations for the future

To prevent the door from jamming and the lock to serve for many years without complaints, you need to listen to the advice of experts:

• First of all, you should purchase a lock only from trusted manufacturers who have been working on the market for a long time and have many reviews on forums from satisfied customers.

Reliable lock from a reputable manufacturer

• The installation of the lock should be entrusted to professionals, as they guarantee compliance with the geometry and free movement of the locking device after installation.
• Locks must be lubricated at least once a year when used indoors and at least once every 6 months when installing an entrance door in a private house.

Lubricating the front door lock

• When the first signs of malfunction appear, you should immediately replace the tongue, spring, cylinder and other mechanical parts of the lock, since these minor expenses will help you avoid more serious problems in the future.
• When closing the door, you should not slam the door leaf against the frame, as the mechanical impact can deform the locking mechanism, which will cause the element to wedge.

Impact when closing the door

• If it is necessary to make a duplicate key, this operation should be carried out only with the use of high-quality equipment that allows you to achieve an exact copy with all the bends of the bit.

Making a duplicate key

When using the door, you should also take into account the risk of bending the door leaf due to temperature changes. In this regard, when installing the entrance to a private house, it is necessary to order special doors with wooden panels that protect metal surfaces from deformation.

Bend of the door leaf

The front door lock is jammed - how to open the door

What to do if the lock is stuck - this is the rhetorical question most often asked in the situation described. You need to act based on specific circumstances. There are 2 options here: the lock does not work at the entrance to the room or it is impossible to open the iron door from the corridor. In the room

To open the door to the living room with a jammed English lock, you will have to perform the following operations:

• . First you need to drill out the cylindrical mechanism of the product.
• . After this, you should completely remove the larva from the body.
• Next, all that remains is to hook the drive mechanism with a thin metal object and move it towards opening.

The retaining bolts will sink into the lock body, and the door will open quietly. Entrance iron door

To open an iron door, you should first try to inject a little gasoline or engine oil into the larva with a syringe. If this does not help, you need to try to lift the door by the bottom edge with a pry bar (in case it has sagged a little due to wear on the door hinges). At the same time, turn the key in the opening direction.

To preserve the door structure, the pry bar is used as a tool for pressing the door and increasing the gap with the frame. In this case, the bolt can be moved with a simple nail file or a thin knife blade. In extreme cases, the lock will have to be cut out with a grinder with a thin disk.

Preventative measures - how to protect the lock from jamming

What to do when purchasing:

• before purchasing a door, check what type of lock it will be and whether there is a guarantee;
• ask about the country of production - high-quality locks are made in Austria and Germany, you can also take Polish, Turkish or Ukrainian;
• In the store, check the ease of movement of the tongue;
• There should be no rust, scuffs or scratches on the lock.

How to care for the mechanism:

• periodically clean from dust and dirt, lubricate;
• turn the key only after it is fully inserted;
• do not use keys of poor quality or damaged;
• You can use machine oil for lubrication;
• the best lubricant is silicone, it has a long-lasting effect and also repels water, preventing the mechanism from rusting;
• correct the distortion of the door leaf or frame, even if the lock is still functioning normally;
• open the door by the handle, no need to pull the key, which is still inside;
• Do not slam the door sharply or forcefully.

Important:

Do not lubricate the lock with edible vegetable oil. It absorbs all the dirt and dust and can ruin the mechanism. When the oil thickens, you can open the door with almost any key - this is the method used by thieves.

In order not to waste time and money (on repairing the lock or a new one, on calling a locksmith), you need to handle the lock carefully. If you open it with gentle, smooth movements and do not use force, it will last a long time.

The lock won't let you out of the house, what should you do?

If you, while at home, discover that the locking device cannot be opened from the inside, and you need to leave urgently, you can contact one of your relatives who has a set of keys to your door.

If you find that the locking device cannot be opened from the inside, you can contact one of your relatives who has a set of keys for your door

There is a good chance that the door can be unlocked from the outside, but if this does not work, you will have to open the lock body. It is best in this situation for the broken lock to be a fixed one. In this case, its body is within your reach, you can easily open it and move the crossbars in the opening direction.

But what to do if the mortise lock does not open? In fact, there is nothing difficult about opening such a lock. It is necessary to press the bolt using a flat screwdriver and the door will open. If the gap between the door leaf and the jamb is too narrow, then to remove the bolt, you can use a steel plate of suitable thickness.

In some types of locks, the bolt cannot be retracted, so if your door has such a locking device, do not rush to damage the door, contact a specialist. Your “rebellious” door lock is not a problem for them.

In conclusion, we note that if the door to the room does not open due to a broken locking device, it is best to contact specialists who will quickly open it. If turning to professionals is not possible for one reason or another, it is important to correctly determine the reason for the lock failure, and then take the right steps to open it. After all, in this matter the most important thing is not to aggravate the problem.

We'll open it and fix it!

If the door does not open, the most reliable solution is to call specialists. The master arrives with a set of master keys, which can easily be used to open any locking mechanism. This will allow you to quickly solve the problem without cutting off the hinges and damaging the door leaf, which will save the owner from large additional costs.

We also offer professional lock replacement: call a specialist to immediately solve the problem with opening the door and install a new mechanism. We can install a structure of any type and complexity; the experience of our craftsmen allows us to cope with any task.

What to do if the key gets stuck?

The work should be performed in the same way as when the lock is jammed. A lot of patience will be required when vandals insert matches or other objects into the larva. To correct the situation, use pliers, carefully turning, to pull the key out of the hole. Using thin wires with curved edges, we pull out foreign objects from the larva.

If the cylinder is dirty or the lubricant has frozen, the keyhole is filled with VD, after a pause, we try to pull out the stuck key, gradually loosening it. It is important here not to break the key in the well. If this happens, you need to disassemble the lock or remove the cylinder and try to remove the fragment. Lever locks are simple in this regard. Having removed the cover, we release the plates and take out the fragment. If the key remains in the cylinder and does not come out after treatment with liquid, this will require replacing the cylinder.

More complex situations and if there are no skills in working with plumbing tools will require calling specialists.

Causes of problems

The most common difficulties:

• The tongue cannot close. The source of the problem is the small size of the response hole. It needs to be enlarged or the plate moved a little. Another reason could be a door that is warped due to frequent use. The mechanism wears out and needs to be adjusted.
• Difficulty opening the door when it is blocked due to a misaligned lock or door frame. In this case, the problematic part is adjusted.
• The key gets stuck, is difficult to turn, or cannot be inserted. This is more common on metal doors. This happens due to debris getting into the lock or some of its parts shifting. To get rid of the problem, it is disassembled, cleaned and lubricated.
• The lock is jammed - there is a problem with the condition of the cylinder. The seal needs to be repaired or replaced. In some cases, it is better to install a new lock if the old one is worn out and ancient.

Related article: How to seal a door with plasticine

Other reasons for problems with the lock:

• factory defects in the mechanism;
• rare washing and lubrication;
• using the key for other purposes (opening a bottle, packaging);
• frequent opening of the door with force;
• worn parts in the lock;
• duplicate key of poor quality;
• incorrect initial installation of the lock;
• a wooden door can become damp and swell.