A lock that seizes up almost never breaks all at once: it gives warning signs — a key that struggles, that needs to be "coaxed", that only turns in one position. If you’ve reached a total jam, here’s what you can try without causing damage, and what instead turns a minor repair into a full replacement.
What to do, in order
Try lifting or pulling the door slightly while you turn the key: if it turns that way, the problem is the door’s alignment (sagging hinges), not the cylinder. It’s still a job for a technician, but a different one.
Use a dry PTFE/Teflon lubricant or graphite powder, sprayed into the cylinder. Insert and pull out the key a few times, then try again gently.
A bent or worn key may no longer grip the pins. If you have a copy you’ve never used, try it: if that one works, have the good copy duplicated and take the worn one out of circulation.
What NOT to do
- Don’t force it: if the key snaps off inside, the job gets more complicated (and more expensive)
- No cooking oil or greasy lubricants: they clog up with dust and make the jam worse over time
- Don’t remove the cylinder if the door is closed: you risk not being able to open it at all
- Don’t poke screwdrivers or metal rods into the cylinder: you’ll damage the pins beyond repair
When you need a technician
If the key won’t turn even after lubricating, if it has snapped off inside, or if the jam follows a break-in attempt (the cylinder may have been damaged on purpose), you need a locksmith: they open without forcing where possible and replace only what genuinely needs replacing.
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Frequently asked questions
The key snapped off inside the lock: can I get it out myself?
If a piece is sticking out, you can try with fine-tipped tweezers, without pushing inward. If the stub is flush or inside the cylinder, you need a locksmith’s extractors: DIY attempts usually just push it in deeper.
Lock jammed after a burglary attempt: what should I do?
Don’t use the door and call a locksmith to make it secure: the cylinder may have been tampered with (key bumping, drilling). Document the damage with photos for the police report and insurance.