Having keys stuck in a lock is arguably one of the most annoying things that can happen. It’s inconvenient when you can’t enter an old locked room in your house, and even worse when you can’t enter your house altogether. The same goes for any key stuck in the ignition of your car. It disrupts the flow of your day and you can’t get to places without having to fix it first.
So now, maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “How to get a stuck key out of a lock?” Read more and we’ll answer these and more questions that you may have.
Keys Stuck in Door or Lock
Why does a key get stuck in a lock?
There are a variety of reasons why a key gets stuck in a lock. These include internal lock failure, a worn or broken key, a badly-cut key, or the wrong key being used by mistake.
Specifically, if the key is stuck and the lock won’t turn at all, it’s most likely the wrong key or a worn-out or badly-cut one. But, if the lock turns a bit, then, it may be a lock failure or the lock is being used incorrectly.
Can a key get stuck in an unlocked door?
Surprisingly, yes! Keys can get stuck even if the door is unlocked. This happens usually with multi-point locking systems on a uPVC or a composite door. When these locks are used incorrectly, the cylinder cam gets stuck behind the latch release mechanism. It then requires professionals to free it.
What about uPVC door locks?
Regardless if it’s a uPVC door lock, yale locks, mortice locks, or even safe and car locks, keys can get stuck anywhere. When it happens to uPVC door locks though, it’s commonly due to poor key cutting.
Can a locksmith help with keys stuck in locks?
Of course! Removing jammed keys or fixing locks broken this way are part of a locksmith’s skillset. Whether you have a Euro cylinder or a Yale lock, trust them to be able to aid you in fixing your stuck key. For car locks or when you can’t get key out of ignition, you may have to call in an auto locksmith. Fortunately, our directory has listings for both kinds in the UK so you don’t have to pull your hair searching for one.
What should I do when my key gets stuck?
One of the first things that you may try if your key gets trapped is to just pull it out. Maybe just a little force plus some lubricant like WD-40 will get the key out, right? However, we highly discourage pulling out the stuck key. While it may work sometimes, often it would just snap the key in the lock, which now requires more work to get out than a simple stuck key. Another one you shouldn’t do is to try and take apart the lock yourself. It might break more than just the key or the lock and is the single worst thing you can do in this scenario.
If your key gets stuck, simply leave the key alone and call a locksmith near you. You may check out our intensive directory for locksmiths in the UK if you don’t already know one.
How long will it take to remove the stuck key?
Most jobs requiring stuck key removal should take just under 20 minutes. However, this may still depend on various factors including the type of lock fitted and what caused the key to be stuck in the first place.
How much will it be to fix the key stuck in a lock
On average, it will take £70 for a locksmith to remove a key trapped in a lock. Note that if you snapped the key inside and do not have a spare key, the cylinder may need to be replaced which may cost more. Lastly, you may need to consider additional charges that the locksmith may impose, including the distance and time they will need to travel to get to your location.
Car Keys Stuck in Ignition System
It’s not always just locks that you can get your key stuck in. Sometimes, they can even get stuck in your car’s ignition.
Why is my key stuck in ignition?
There are three main reasons why keys get stuck:
- Steering Wheel Lock – When a vehicle is parked, its steering wheel can lock to prevent theft. However, it also prevents the key from being turned or removed from the ignition switch. When the steering wheel locks at the same time as the ignition, the key then becomes stuck inside.
- Damaged Car Key – Just like in doors or other locks, a damaged car key can cause it to become stuck. Over time, car keys can receive abuse, become bent, and worn out, which are all things you should look out for.
- Damaged Wafers – Your car’s ignition is made out of wafers. If the wafers within the cylinder have become stuck or bent, it will cause the key to be stuck.
How do I get my key out of the ignition?
As there’s a lot of things that you can attempt, it’ll be too long to include in this article. Instead, we have another article discussing that, specifically. You can take a look at that article here.
Can a locksmith help me if my key is stuck in the ignition?
Yes, an auto locksmith will be able to help you if your car key is stuck in the ignition. However, sometimes the issue is with the steering lock mechanism and not with the actual car key.
How long will it take to remove the stuck key?
Unlike regular locks which take just under 20 minutes, removing a car key from the ignition can take up to an hour to finish.
How much does it cost to fix this issue?
Removing a key trapped in the ignition can cost you £90 or more. For some vehicle models like those in the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG), removing car keys must be done by experienced professionals. Otherwise, if done incorrectly, it may as well cost you over £300.
Will I need a new ignition?
If your key snapped inside the ignition, chances are, you’ll probably need a new one. This is due to the ignition itself breaking down which caused the key to become jammed. The price for a new one will likely be £45 plus £70 for labour. Of course, this will still change depending on what model your car is.