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At Okey Locksmith, we've heard all sorts of stories about people misplacing their keys and getting locked out of their houses. While those who have a spare key hidden somewhere have no trouble getting back inside, those who don't are accidentally locked outside, left to scratch the back
Professional locksmith experts with local experience in Oklahoma City.
At Okey Locksmith, we’ve heard all sorts of stories about people misplacing their keys and getting locked out of their houses. While those who have a spare key hidden somewhere have no trouble getting back inside, those who don’t are accidentally locked outside, left to scratch the back of their necks in helplessness. Now, we understand just how stressful that is, but there are actually some simple ways to unlock a door without a key. And guess what? We’re here to talk you through each method!
If you’re locked out of a room, don't panic! Interior door locks can be unlocked with some basic tools and a bit of know-how. Whether it’s the classic bobby pin trick, the handy credit card swipe, or using a simple screwdriver, there are plenty of methods you can try to quickly regain access.
Of course, for more stubborn locks or tricky situations, calling a professional locksmith like Okey Locksmith is always a smart choice. With their expertise, you'll be back inside in no time—without risking damage to your door or lock.
You can typically unlock interior doors with two bobby pins that are easy to bend. Note that this usually works for basic tumbler locks with pin mechanisms.
To start, remove the round tips of all the pins. Turn one into an L-shaped pin and keep the other pin straight. Then, insert the first bobby pin (the unbent bobby pin) into the locking mechanism and feel around until you find the first pin inside.
Now, once you’ve found it, take your second bobby pin (the L-shaped pin), insert it into the lock, and use it to lift the first binding pin. Keep doing this (use additional pins if needed) until all the pins inside finally line up with the shear line. When done successfully, the lock turns and you can then open the door.
The credit card method (or any plastic card) is also one of the easiest ways to deal with a locked door. It’s a simple and straightforward method that allows you to enter a locked door without a key.
Insert the card into the door jamb or between the interior door lock and door frame. If there’s hardly any space between the lock and the frame, you can force it between the frame and the door above the lock and swipe quickly downward. Once that’s done, gently push the card against the lower part of the strike plate, which in turn will gradually push against the locking mechanism and effectively unlock the door.
An Allen wrench (also known as a hex key) is a handy tool that looks like an L-shaped rod. They usually come in different sizes and are used to drive screws and bolts with hexagonal sockets. However, they can also be used alongside paper clips to unlock doors when you don’t have access to your keys.
The first step of the Allen key method is to insert the bent end of the Allen wrench into the keyhole’s lower edge. Apply force and turn the lock slightly toward the direction a key would usually go. Now, you can use an unbent paper clip to pick the lock. From here, there are two methods you can follow:
To successfully pull off the scrubbing method, push the paper clip into the lower part of the keyhole. Then, lift the paper clip back and upward. Do this in a circular motion while applying pressure. Increase the pressure on the Allen wrench slightly and gradually until you notice the lock shift. Keep the pressure steady and keep doing the the circular motions until the lock cylinder turns and the door unlocks.
This is similar to the classic bobby pin method mentioned previously. To do this method, you have to keep the pressure on the Allen wrench slight and consistent while you slowly insert the paper clip. When you feel the paper clip touch a pin inside, catch the pin so you can bend and lift it upward. You’ll feel the pin click into place when you do this successfully. Finally, repeat the process until the door opens.
Another method is to use a small screwdriver to unlock a door lock. It usually works on doors with privacy handles or a thumb-turn lock—the type usually used for an interior door lock that can be locked or unlocked by turning or pushing a button or lever.
To start, insert a regular-sized or tiny screwdriver into the small hole on the doorknob. Push the screwdriver deep inside and twist it in a counter-clockwise direction. In no time, the lock will click open.
Alternatively, if your lock has visible and accessible mounting screws, you can just use a screwdriver to completely detach the door lock from the door. Simply remove the screws and remove it from the door so you now have access to your home even without a key.
A bump key is a special type of key cut that can fit into a standard lock. You can use it to make the pins inside the lock jump up, which allows you to turn the lock and open the door.
To get started, insert the bump key into the keyhole. Then, give the key a tap or bump while applying slight pressure to turn it. This helps the pins inside the lock line up with the shear line so the lock can turn. However, remember to be careful as too much force can break the key or damage the lock itself.
This method is similar to using a credit card to unlock a door. If you happen to have a foldable knife in your pocket, you can insert it between the door jamb and the door. Wiggle it around gently and feel for the latch itself. After finding it, apply pressure and push the latch back until it slides open.
Keep in mind that this method works best on doors with simple and basic locks. If you’re trying to unlock a more secure door, it might not be as effective. In such cases, consider contacting professionals like Okey Locksmith for reliable residential locksmith services in Oklahoma City.
If you’ve tried several methods and nothing seems to work, a different (but effective) approach would be to remove the door hinges. Grab a flathead or Philips screwdriver and remove the screws holding the hinges to the door and the frame.
Start by unscrewing the top hinge first. It’s best to have a friend or family member help you out so the door doesn’t accidentally fall and cause injuries. Afterward, you’ll just have to completely replace or simply reattach the locking mechanism.
The various methods we went over will likely work on most locks, but as a last resort, you can always grab a trusty hammer to get the job done. It might sound a bit extreme, but if you really need to get into your house and you don’t have the time to wait around for help, you can bash the lock with a hammer and grant yourself access to your home. To do this, strike from the top or the side until the lock weakens and you can push the door open.
Remember—this is for extreme cases only. We generally do not recommend it since you will have to sacrifice your lock and even your door in some cases. Additionally, this typically only works for simple locks. It would still be safer to call a professional locksmith or contact a non-emergency number for the fire station.
At the end of the day, the best approach when you’re trying to enter a door without a key is to contact a professional locksmith like Okey Locksmith for expert services. These technicians are pros at lock picking and know various ways to unlock a door in a quick and efficient manner. You get to save yourself the stress and hassle of doing it yourself, too!
We hope the above methods can help you out! If you’d rather have professionals handle the lock picking for you, you can always count on Okey Locksmith in Oklahoma City. We offer a wide range of locksmith services, so if you’re searching for “car key replacement near me” or “commercial locksmith services,” we’re only a call away!
Contact us at (405) 703-8943 today and let us handle your lock and key troubles!
While our blog provides valuable insights, when you need hands-on help, Okey Locksmith is here 24/7 with professional locksmith services throughout Oklahoma City.