When your key copy doesn’t work, it can be a frustrating experience. While your ultimate goal should be to see an experienced locksmith for a new and better copy, there are several steps you can follow to get back inside your home. Try these three steps the next time your key copy fails you.

What to Do When Your Key Copy Isn’t Working

1. Jiggle the Key

If you don’t have time for a locksmith, try jiggling the key around while it’s in the keyhole. Try turning the lock when holding it up, down, left, and right. Shoddy key copies from a hardware store or self-service kiosk often have slight imperfections that keep them from working smoothly. Be careful when jiggling, since excess movement could don’t damage the lock.

2. Pull It Partially Out

If your key was made from another copy, or if the original key was damaged, the teeth may not align with the locking pins. Push the key in all the way. Gradually draw it out, turning the knob at different intervals to see if the teeth eventually align. You can jiggle again slightly to see if it helps.

3. Tap the Key

If jiggling and partial entry aren’t working, do a combination of each while also softly striking the key. It may not be entering straight, and this misalignment could be keeping the key from pushing the lock pins far enough. Be careful when attempting this solution. Hitting the key too hard can damage the locking system, and worse, the key may break off in the lock. Your best bet is to call a locksmith and to have them make a new copy. 

If you need a locksmith for a new key or lock, get in touch with Able Security Locksmiths in Kenvil, NJ. They’re proud to provide residential, commercial, and emergency locksmith services for Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties. They can also handle lock installation. Call (973) 584-3033 or visit their website to learn more about their services.