Broken Key in Lock
Key snapped in the lock? Fragment extraction and cylinder assessment; non-destructive methods are preferred where the mechanism allows. Availability, arrival time are confirmed by phone; non-destructive methods are preferred when the mechanism allows.
GoogleBroken Key in Lock in Brussels or Brabant? Janssens is available 24/7; arrival time are confirmed by phone. Non-destructive methods are preferred when the mechanism allows - 0495 205 400.
Verification before every door opening
We only open a door after checking your identity and right of access. Have an ID and proof of residence, tenancy agreement or the owner's permission ready. If those are not immediately available, we agree another verification method. If access cannot be verified, we do not open.
Fast intervention
Arrival subject to availability confirmed by phone
The technician closest to your location is dispatched as a priority. No call center: you speak directly to the locksmith who will handle your job.
Method adapted to the lock
Bypass, lock picking, decoding: our technicians master all three non-destructive opening methods. Cylinder drilling is only used as a last resort, with your prior approval.
Available 24/7
24/7 availability, confirmed by phone according to the situation.
Direct contact
After examining the mechanism, we explain the method and necessary work before you agree.
Broken Key in Lock right now?
Don't stay locked out! Call us, we arrive subject to availability confirmed by phone.
GoogleHow does it work?
1. You call us
Briefly describe your situation. We give you a precise arrival time. Mention the cylinder brand and door type if you know them - it speeds up preparation.
2. We arrive quickly
Our locksmith arrives with the necessary equipment and contacts you before arrival to confirm the exact address.
Assessment and agreement
After examining the mechanism, we explain the method and necessary work before you agree.
4. Problem solved
The technician completes the accepted work and tests the result with you.
Our commitments
Describe the problem so our team can arrange the intervention. Prepare for a locksmith visit.
Emergency? Give your address and describe the problem when you call to confirm availability and arrival time. Read our guidance by emergency type and check our service areas across Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
Can you extract a broken key using non-destructive methods when the mechanism allows, to avoid damaging the lock?
Can I get a new key made from the broken piece?
My key broke in a security lock, is it more complicated?
How can I prevent a key from breaking in the lock?
Broken key in the lock: why it happens and how we fix it
You turn the key and feel it give way. Half stays in the cylinder, the other half in your hand. Do not force the remaining fragment: we first assess whether it can be extracted without replacing the cylinder.
Why keys break
A key does not snap out of nowhere. There are always contributing factors, and knowing them can help you avoid it happening again.
- Metal fatigue - every time you turn a key, the metal flexes slightly. After years of daily use, micro-cracks develop in the brass or nickel silver. We regularly see keys that were visibly worn - flattened teeth, hairline cracks along the blade - long before they finally snapped.
- Cold weather - Belgian winters make metal more brittle. Brass keys are especially vulnerable below freezing. We see a noticeable spike in broken-key calls between December and February.
- Forcing a stiff lock - when the key meets resistance, the natural instinct is to push harder. That extra torque is exactly what causes the break. A lock that resists needs servicing, not force.
- Poor-quality copies - keys duplicated at supermarket kiosks or automated machines are often slightly less precise and made from softer alloys. They work for a few months, then snap unexpectedly. A professional key copy lasts significantly longer.
How we extract the broken fragment
The approach depends on where the fragment sits inside the cylinder. If any part of it protrudes - even a millimetre - we grip it with fine-nose pliers and pull it straight out. Takes a couple of minutes at most.
When the break is flush with the cylinder face or the fragment has been pushed deeper inside, we use a key extractor: an ultra-thin serrated tool that slides alongside the broken piece, hooks into the key's grooves, and draws it out. The technique requires patience and a steady hand, but it is non-destructive. The cylinder is not drilled or damaged in any way.
Does the lock need replacing afterwards?
Replacement is not automatic. After extraction, the technician checks how the cylinder operates. A damaged component or unusual resistance may justify replacement, explained before you agree.
However, if the key broke because the cylinder was already worn or seized, a cylinder replacement is the sensible move. The compatible model, parts availability and price are confirmed before you agree to replacement.
Preventing broken keys: a few practical habits
- Do not force a key that resists. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the maintenance product and frequency suitable for this model. Do not add an unapproved lubricant; have a persistent blockage inspected.
- Replace worn keys early - if you notice the teeth are visibly smoothed or the blade has developed a slight bend, get a fresh copy made before the old one snaps.
- Never force a stiff lock - resistance when turning means something is wrong inside. Have it looked at rather than muscling through it.
Got a broken key stuck in your lock right now? A Janssens technician can be with you within half an hour. Call 0495 205 400, day or night.