Lock Turns But Won’t Lock the Door
A lock turning but not locking usually means the key turns the cylinder, but a failed cam or a misaligned door stops the bolt from throwing. The cylinder is doing its job; the part that drives the bolt is not. Do not force the key. This is a frustrating fault, because the lock feels like […]
Deadbolt Won’t Extend or Retract: Causes
A deadbolt stuck won’t extend or retract is usually blocked by a misaligned strike plate, a dropped door, or a worn mechanism. Ease the door to take pressure off the bolt, then check the alignment. Never force the key or thumbturn. A jammed deadbolt is a common fault, and most cases come down to alignment […]
Seized Lock: Reviving an Old, Corroded Lock
An old lock seized won’t turn is usually locked solid by internal rust and corrosion. Free it with a penetrating lubricant and gentle movement, never force. A heavily corroded lock is often safer to replace than revive. A seized lock is common on older and exterior doors that face the British weather. The good news […]
Key Stuck in the Lock and Won’t Come Out
A key stuck in door lock usually comes out once you turn it back to the upright position and pull gently. If it stays stuck, dirt, a worn cylinder, or a bent key is trapping it. A stuck key is one of the most common lock problems, and most cases come free without any damage. […]
Yale Night Latch Not Catching: Fixes
A Yale lock not catching is usually down to a set snib holding the bolt back, a misaligned keep, or a worn latch spring. Release the snib, line the bolt up with the keep, and lubricate the latch. A night latch that will not catch leaves your door unsecured every time you pull it shut, […]
Mortice Lock Jammed: How to Free a Stuck Lock
A Mortice Lock stuck won’t open is usually caused by dirt in the lever pack, a dry mechanism, or a dropped door binding the bolt. Clean and lubricate it first, and never force the key. A jammed mortice lock is a common fault on wooden doors, and many cases clear with cleaning and a dry […]
Frozen Door Lock: How to Thaw It Safely
A frozen lock won’t open because moisture inside the cylinder has frozen and seized the pins. Warm the key, or apply a little alcohol-based hand sanitiser to melt the ice. Never force the key. A frozen door lock is a common winter call-out, and most cases clear in a few minutes with gentle warmth. The […]
Stiff Door Lock: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
A lock stiff hard to turn is usually caused by dirt, dryness, light corrosion, or a worn key creating extra friction inside the mechanism. A clean and a dry lubricant fixes most cases in minutes. Stiffness that returns points to wear. A stiff lock is one of the most common jobs we deal with, and […]
Euro Cylinder Spinning and Won’t Lock
A euro cylinder spinning won’t lock because either the fixing screw has come loose and is allowing the barrel to rotate, or the internal cam mechanism has broken. Tighten the fixing screw first. If the key still spins freely, the cylinder needs replacing. This is a fault we see often, and the cause is usually […]
Key Turns But the Door Won’t Open
If your key turns but the door won’t unlock, the lock itself is rarely the problem. The fault is almost always a misaligned door blocking the bolt, or a worn multipoint gearbox that no longer drives the latch. This is one of the most common door faults we get called to, and the good news […]