Why Is My Key Suddenly Hard To Get In Lock? - Reasons & Solutions Explained!

When coming home from a long day at work, if you find that the front entrance has been locked, you might feel anxious because you know something must be wrong. What could be going on?

If you suddenly have trouble inserting your key into the door, check whether something is blocking the keyhole, such as dirt or debris. Ensure that you're entering the right key and that it hasn't been damaged. Also, check whether the door is dry, causing the pins to jam.

Sometimes, the door only gets stuck, and we think the high-quality lock you installed is not opening. Please read our article to know how to open a stuck door.

Moreover, if this happens on a cold night, try checking each window of your home. It is quite possible that one of them remained open and you get home to prevent coldness. Moreover, you can also read our article about the benefits of opening a window in winter.

In this blog post, the primary reasons why your key does not fit your lock correctly will be discussed, as well as possible solutions to the problem.

4 reasons why the key is suddenly hard to get into the lock

1. Something inside the lock causing blockage

It would help if you began by examining your jammed lock to see whether or not it has been obstructed in any way. It's conceivable that debris might collect into the mechanism, making it practically difficult for your key to fit as well as it did before.

Use a flashlight or even the lights on your phone to take an up-close look at the inside of the door to see if something is hidden within.

This could happen intentionally or unintentionally, depending on the problem's circumstances. An example would be if someone deliberately put something into the door handle of their car or if children were to playfully stick things into the door handles of cars parked outside their house.

One final possibility is that someone else intentionally damaged your door's lock.

There is a wide range of potential explanations for what led to this, but happily, there are also a variety of potential answers. Soon enough, we will discuss those.

2. Recheck the key you are using

When we lose our keys, we usually think about how to replace them. If you lose your car keys, you might think about what happened to cause them to disappear. But what happens when you lose your house keys? Well, you probably won't think about replacing them. You'll go out and buy some new ones. However, there is another option;

If you use the same type of key ring every day, it could become easy to confuse keys, especially if you have the same coloured keys. For example, if you always put your house keys on the same side of the ring, it could be difficult to remember which key belongs to which door.

So, before you start to panic, make sure to check twice to make sure you're getting the right key.

3. Inspect your key

If you are having trouble getting into your home because you don't have the right key, it could be for several reasons. You might have a bent key, or your key may be to worn out to function properly. Either way, it is important to know how to fix it so you can get inside safely.

A bent key won't fit in your icy lock, making it difficult to turn the knob. To determine whether your key is bent, try turning it in both directions while holding it next to the icy lock. If it doesn't budge, then it is most likely bent.

Worn keys aren't as useful as they once were. They can easily break off at the tip, which makes it impossible for you to insert them into your entire lock. When this happens, you will need to cut off the end of the key and file down the rest of the metal until it is smooth again.

Using a key to replace another tool such as a screwdriver, knife or pair of scissors can be convenient, but it isn't advisable. A sharpened edge on the replacement tool could cause serious injury to yourself or someone else.

4. Lock might be dried

In the world of locksmithing, many things can go wrong. One common problem is a lock getting too dry. When you use the same key repeatedly, moisture can build up inside the entire lock. Over time, this can make the pins stick together, preventing them from moving freely.

While your key may fit correctly in the lock cylinder, a stuck pin can prevent the key from turning. If you notice that your key does not turn smoothly, try cleaning out the lock cylinder. Remove the door frame, if possible, and check the locking mechanisms for debris. You can also take off the deadbolt and clean the cylinder. Finally, you can add some lubricant to the mechanism. Lubricating the mechanism will help keep the pins moving properly.

If you find that the pins are moving correctly, but the key still doesn't work, it might be because the pins aren't aligned properly. Check the alignment of the pins by placing the key into the lock and gently pushing down on each pin. Make sure that the pins are lined up evenly.

Another reason a key won't turn could be that the pins are stuck. Try giving the key another spin to see if that helps. In addition, you can give the key a gentle tap with something heavy to knock loose any debris that might be jamming the pins.

Moreover, your carpet can also be a reason why your door lock won't open. As the rug on the carpet is stuck with the door, read our article to learn more about how to stop moving the rug on your carpet.

What possible solutions for your key won't go into the lock?

If your key doesn't turn in the lock, it could mean there's something wrong with the mechanism. So you'll want to look around the doorframe, including the doorknob and hinges, to ensure nothing's blocking the way. You might also want to open the door slightly, just enough to get your hand inside and feel along the edge of the frame. If you find anything obstructing the path, clear it away.

Next, use compressed air to blow the dust off the lock and clean and smooth the lock mechanism. This will help prevent corrosion and keep the mechanism clean. Once you've done that, give the entire area a good lube. Lubricating the lock, hinge pins and cylinder will ensure smooth operation and prevent damage.

Finally, examine the enter key. Look for any dents or signs indicating bluntness. A dulled blade isn't necessarily a sign of abuse; sometimes, keys get worn down over time. However, if you notice any significant wear, you might want to buy and install the new lock.

Moreover, you should also read our article about how to repair punch holes in hollow doors.