Key broken in the lock
The broken piece can almost always be removed without changing the lock. If it is pushed into the cylinder, do not force it: we extract it without damaging the cylinder, 24/7 all over Paris.
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Door opening prices
Prices incl. VAT, confirmed by phone before the locksmith sets off.
- Door slammed shut€119€155€179
- Security door slammed shut€129€168€194
- Door locked€135€176€203
- Security door locked€149€194€224
A key broken in the lock can usually be dealt with without changing the lock. If the broken piece sticks out, you can sometimes pull it out yourself with fine pliers; if it is pushed inside the cylinder, do not force it and call a locksmith, who will extract it with the right tool without damaging the cylinder.
What to do when a key breaks in the lock
If the broken piece sticks out of the cylinder
- Bring the cylinder back to its starting position: if the key broke while you were turning it, gently turn the cylinder back to the vertical position with the remaining part of the key, without forcing. The piece can only come out in that position.
- Grip the piece with fine pliers (tweezers or needle-nose pliers) and pull it straight out, without twisting.
- Do not use glue: it can jam the cylinder for good.
If the piece is completely inside the cylinder
- Do not force it with a screwdriver or a pin: you could push the piece further in or damage the pins.
- If the door is open, there is no rush: the locksmith extracts the piece and checks the cylinder.
- If the door is closed and you are outside, call a locksmith: they extract the key or open the door without damaging it, then get the lock working again.
After the extraction: replace the key
Keep both pieces of the broken key: they help identify the model. A high-security key (Fichet, Picard, Vachette…) is ordered by its number, with the ownership card: see order your keys.
Why does a key break in a lock?
- A worn or cracked key, often a poor-quality copy or a very old key.
- A stiff lock: a dirty or poorly lubricated cylinder, or a door that rubs and puts strain on the bolt.
- Forcing a key that resists.
If your key is often hard to turn, have the lock checked before it breaks: adjusting the door or changing the cylinder is often enough (see lock change in Paris).
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the situation: extracting the piece with the door open, opening the door if you are locked out, or replacing the cylinder if it is damaged (from €90 including VAT for a European cylinder). You are told the price before we start; details are in the table below and on our locksmith prices in Paris page.
Need help now? Call La Clé du 16 on +33 7 67 96 22 46, 24/7.
Further reading
Prices for a broken key call-out in Paris
Prices incl. VAT in the daytime, call-out included within Paris. The price depends on the situation: door open or closed, cylinder intact or damaged.
- Opening a door slammed shut from €119
- Opening a security door slammed shut from €129
- Opening a locked door from €135
- Opening a locked security door from €149
- European cylinder replacement, fitting included from 90 €
Evening and night: +30% from 8 pm to midnight, +50% from midnight to 6 am. The price is given before any work.
Extracting the broken key: how we go about it
A short, clean job: in most cases the lock stays in place.
- Extraction without dismantling: a thin extraction tool grips the piece between the pins of the cylinder.
- Opening if you are locked out: the door is opened without damage, then the piece is removed.
- Cylinder checked: we check that it turns normally with another copy of the key.
- Cylinder changed if needed: if it is damaged, a European cylinder is replaced from €90 incl. VAT, fitting included.
A photo of the lock, and you have the price
Take a photo of the lock from the landing and from inside: we recognise the model and give you the price before we come.
Hello, my key has broken in the lock and the piece is stuck in the cylinder.
Hello! We can come in 30 minutes to extract the piece. If the cylinder is damaged, it is changed from €90 incl. VAT, fitting included.
Perfect, I will wait for you.
- Take a photo of the lock from the landing side, then from inside.
- Send the photos on WhatsApp, with your address.
- You receive the price incl. VAT and choose the time of the visit.
Frequently asked questions about a key broken in the lock
Another question? Call us, even at night.
Does the lock need changing after a key breaks?
Usually not: the locksmith extracts the piece with a suitable tool, generally without dismantling the lock, then checks that the cylinder turns normally. A replacement is only needed if the cylinder is damaged; a European cylinder is changed from €90 incl. VAT, fitting included.
Can I remove a broken key piece myself?
Yes, if the piece sticks out: bring the cylinder back to the upright position, grip the piece with fine pliers and pull it straight out. If it is fully inside the cylinder, do not force it with a screwdriver or a pin: you could push it in further.
Should I use glue to remove the key?
No. Glue can run into the cylinder and jam it for good; it would then have to be replaced.
How do I get a broken key replaced?
Keep both pieces. An ordinary key is copied from the piece; a high-security key (Fichet, Picard, Vachette…) is ordered by its number, with the card of ownership: see order your keys.
How much does it cost to extract a broken key in Paris?
The price depends on the situation. If you are locked out, the door is opened at the price of a door opening, from €119 incl. VAT in the daytime for a door slammed shut; if the cylinder is damaged, it is replaced from €90 incl. VAT, fitting included. The price is given before any work.
Why does a key break in the lock?
Most often the key is worn, cracked or badly copied, or the lock is stiff: a clogged cylinder, a door that rubs. If your key regularly sticks, have the lock checked before it breaks.
Broken key: we come all over Paris
We come out to all 20 arrondissements and to the Hauts-de-Seine, 24/7.
We have no shop: the locksmith comes to you.