How to Fix a Door Lock That Won’t Turn

Article updated on 3/13/2025

The locks on the doors of the places where we live or work provide safety and peace of mind. But, what if you can’t get the key or the lock to work? You might need a door lock repair or a key replacement. First, ensure that you have the right key. It may seem silly, but it’s a common mistake. Otherwise, when a key won’t turn in door lock cylinders, the problem may be dirt, rust or dust in the cylinder. If the door lock won’t turn at all, one of the issues could be the mechanism. If you need emergency locksmith help in the Denver metro area please contact our friendly customer service!

Do-It-Yourself-Solutions

There is dirt or dust in the cylinder

If the key won’t turn in the door lock, the problem could be dirt or dust in the cylinder causing the pins to be stuck in a partially raised position. If that’s the case, it may be an easy fix. You can spray dry lubricant into the keyway and then insert the key a few times to get the lubricant working. If a dry lubricant doesn’t work, you can try WD-40 to do a proper door lock repair.

The lock is frozen

Unless you live or have a vacation rental property in a place such as Florida, chances are you deal with freezing weather in winter months. Your door lock could be frozen if it won’t turn. You don’t want a broken door lock so proceed carefully. You can try thawing the door lock with a warm key. Warm the key by placing it in a bowl of hot water and then, with gloves on, dry the key and then insert it slowly into the lock.

Key stuck in lock or foreign object?

One of the trickiest issues is a key stuck in lock or a foreign object jamming the mechanism—think a broken key tip or debris kids might’ve put in there. First, grab a pair of needle-nose pliers and a lubricant like graphite spray (available at any hardware store). Spray the lock to loosen things up, then gently wiggle the pliers to pull out the stuck key or object. If it’s stubborn, try a thin wire or paperclip to fish it out—search “remove the foreign object from door lock” for visual guides if needed. These DIY door lock repair tricks work wonders for lock maintenance and can save you from costly replacements.

Professional Solutions

We’ve mentioned a couple of do-it-yourself-solutions, but when the solution is not a simple one, that’s when you should call a professional locksmith. Here are some examples:

The key doesn’t work even though it’s new

If you have a new key that you can insert but won’t turn, the chances are that your new key was poorly cut. Always go with a reputable locksmith to avoid such problems. A professional locksmith can cut a new key or if there’s a more severe problem than the way a key is cut, investigate and come up with a solution.

The key only goes in partway

If this is the case and lubrication doesn’t work, an obstruction may be blocking it. Or, there may be a worn-out pin chamber or a corroded pin. These are problems that are best to call a locksmith to avoid damaging the lock further.

The door lock won’t turn at all despite turning the key

If this is occurring, there’s a strong possibility that there is a problem with the mechanism. This means that you will need to remove and examine the door lock. For that kind of work it is best to leave it to a professional locksmith. Contact us now for friendly help.

Red Rocks Locksmith serves Denver and the surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a door lock won’t turn or when a key won’t turn in door lock cylinders, chances are you need to call a locksmith. Red Rocks Locksmith can easily diagnose the problem and fix it. We can get you back into your home or business in no time.