Broken key · jammed lock
Key broken or stuck in the lock: we get it out, 24/7
The key snapped in the lock, or it won't turn. Stop forcing it: every attempt can push the broken piece deeper. Call us and we'll tell you what to do, with the price given before we travel.
- Price quoted = price paid
- Itemised invoice for your insurer
- Emergency: on site within 2 hours, anywhere in Luxembourg
Key broken in the lock: what not to do
When a key snaps, the first instinct is to get the piece out straight away. That's usually when things get worse.
- Don't push the piece in: no screwdriver, hairpin or paperclip. It will jam further into the cylinder.
- No glue to “stick” the broken part back: glue jams the mechanism and the lock then has to be replaced.
- No oil or greasy spray: they attract dust and gum up the pins. A locksmith uses a dry lubricant such as graphite.
- Don't pull with pliers if barely anything sticks out: it will snap even shorter.
- Don't force it with the other half or the spare key: while the piece is inside, no key will go in, and the second one can break too.
If the door is still open, keep it ajar and wedged so you don't lock yourself out while you wait.
Extract or replace: how we decide
The technician starts with a key extractor: a very thin blade slid along the broken piece to hook it and draw it out. If the cylinder is in good shape, it's quick and you keep your lock. Extractor kits sold online take practice: used wrongly, they push the metal deeper instead of pulling it out.
If the key broke because the lock is stiff, worn or dirty, extraction only fixes the symptom. We'll tell you and suggest replacing the cylinder. You decide.
If you're locked out and the door is locked, getting the piece out is often enough to open it with a spare key. If not, we open the door: see opening a locked door.
A broken key is often a worn key or a badly cut copy. Always have copies made from the original.
- Describe the problem — By phone or WhatsApp, with a photo of the lock and the piece of key you still have.
- Price first — Price for extraction, and for a replacement in case it's needed. Before we set off.
- Extraction — The technician removes the piece and checks the cylinder turns smoothly.
- Honest advice — If the cylinder is worn, we show you. If not, nothing gets replaced.
Price to remove a broken key
Extraction alone is a short job. You get the price including 17% VAT and any surcharge before we travel.
If a new cylinder is needed, we give you the fitted price before starting. Quotes are free. You get an invoice and an intervention report.
Key stuck or lock jammed: the key is whole but won't turn
A sticking lock can come from a dirty cylinder, a door that has moved with cold or damp, or a bolt rubbing on the strike plate.
Lift or push the door slightly while turning the key. If it works, it's an adjustment problem, not the lock. If nothing moves, call us rather than forcing it.
If the key is stuck and won't come out, don't yank it while twisting it every way: that's often how it breaks.
Rapide, efficace : j'ai perdu ma clé et ils sont venus en moins de 2 h. Ils ont changé ma serrure rapidement, proprement et efficacement.
What happens after you call
- 01
You call or message
By phone or WhatsApp. A photo helps us understand straight away.
- 02
Price and time up front
Before we set off. The price quoted is the price you pay. You decide — no commitment until you say yes.
- 03
Work explained
The technician explains the work and leaves the place clean. Photos of the job on request.
- 04
Itemised invoice
A clear invoice, ready for your insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a broken key out of a lock?
If a good piece sticks out, try gently with tweezers, without turning or pushing. If it's flush with the lock, leave it to a locksmith: you could push it further in.
Why does a key break in the lock?
Usually the key is worn or a badly cut copy, or the lock is stiff: a dirty cylinder, a door that has moved, a bolt that rubs. The metal weakens each time it is forced, until it gives.
Can you cut a new key on site?
It depends on the key type; often it's done in a specialist workshop. Cylinders with a key control card need the card.
Do I need a new lock after a key breaks?
Not if the cylinder is in good condition. We only replace it if it's damaged or worn, and only with your agreement.
Do you come in the evening and at weekends?
Yes, 24/7. Any surcharge is included in the price we quote before leaving.
I'm a tenant: who pays?
Check your lease and your home insurance. We give you an invoice and an intervention report you can pass on to your landlord or insurer.