Common Reasons Your House Or Car Key Stops Working

Transcript

Common Reasons Your House Or Car Key Stops Working buzzfeed.com/messyporcupine454/common-reasons-your-house-or-car-key-stops-working messyporcupine454 July 1, 2025 Have you ever tried to unlock your door or start your car, only to find that your key just won’t work? It’s a frustrating situation that almost everyone experiences at some point. But why does this happen? When your key stops working, it’s rarely just bad luck. There are specific reasons keys fail, and understanding them can help you avoid being locked out or stuck waiting for help. However, if you want the Residential or Auto Locksmith Near Me across Northwest Indiana and nearby areas, don't look further, contact Keys4U. Here, we’ll explore the most common causes, explain how to spot them, and share what you can do to fix or prevent the problem. 10 Common Reasons Your House or Car Key Stops Working 1. The Key Is Worn Out One of the most frequent reasons a key stops working is simple wear and tear. Every time you insert and turn your key, the edges and grooves gradually wear down. Over time, these small changes prevent the key from lining up correctly with the pins inside the lock or ignition cylinder. Even a little bit of wear can make the key too smooth to work. How to tell: 1/6 The key looks shiny or rounded along the edges. You have to jiggle the key to make it turn. The key only works sometimes. Solution: Have a locksmith cut a new key from the original code if possible. Copying a worn key often results in another poor-quality key that won’t last. 2. The Lock or Ignition Is Damaged Sometimes the problem isn’t the key, it’s the lock or ignition itself. Locks and ignition switches have many small parts that can get stuck, break, or wear out. For example, if dirt or rust builds up inside the cylinder, it can stop the pins from moving properly. If the cylinder is damaged or misaligned, your key won’t be able to turn. How to tell: Your key goes in, but won’t turn at all. The lock feels loose or wobbly. You hear grinding when you try to turn the key. Solution: Contact a professional locksmith or auto locksmith to inspect and repair the lock or ignition. Avoid forcing the key, it could break inside the cylinder. 3. The Key Is Bent or Cracked Keys are strong, but they can bend or crack over time, especially if you use them roughly or hang heavy keychains on them. A bent or cracked key won’t slide smoothly into the lock, and even if it does, it may not turn properly. How to tell: The key looks visibly bent or has a small crack. It feels harder to insert or remove. It sometimes gets stuck. Solution: 2/6 Stop using a bent or cracked key immediately. Have a new key made to avoid it breaking off inside the lock. 4. The Transponder Chip Isn’t Working Modern car keys often have a small chip inside called a transponder. This chip sends a signal to the car’s computer to allow the engine to start. If the transponder chip is damaged or stops communicating with your car, the key will turn in the ignition, but the engine won’t start. How to tell: The dashboard security light stays on when you try to start the car. The engine cranks but doesn’t start. You have a spare key that works fine. Solution: Contact an automotive locksmith or your dealership to program a new transponder key or repair the chip. 5. The Key Is the Wrong Copy It may sound surprising, but sometimes a key stops working simply because it’s the wrong copy. If you have multiple similar-looking keys on your keyring, it’s easy to grab the wrong one by mistake. Even keys that look almost identical can have slightly different grooves or cuts. How to tell: The key slides in but doesn’t turn. The teeth don’t match the lock pins. Other keys on your ring look similar. Solution: Double-check that you are using the correct key. If you have trouble telling them apart, color-code your keys or label them clearly. Read Also: What is the best lubricant for car door locks? 6. Debris or Dirt Inside the Lock Dust, lint, and small debris can collect inside locks over time. This buildup prevents the pins from moving as they should when you insert the key. 3/6 It can also make the key feel sticky or hard to turn. How to tell: The key won’t go all the way in. The lock feels gritty or stiff. You notice visible dirt in the keyhole. Solution: Use a can of compressed air to gently blow debris out of the lock. If that doesn’t help, a locksmith can clean and lubricate the cylinder properly. 7. Extreme Weather Effects Changes in weather can also be why your key stops working. Cold temperatures can cause locks to freeze, while heat and humidity can cause metal parts to expand. Wooden doors may swell, putting pressure on the lock and making it harder for the key to turn. How to tell: The lock worked fine until a big weather change. You notice frost or condensation inside the lock. The key feels harder to turn when it’s hot or cold. Solution: In freezing weather, try de-icer spray or gently warm the key before inserting it. For swelling, you may need a locksmith to adjust the lock or door alignment. 8. The Lock Has Been Tampered With If your home or car has been the target of a break-in or attempted theft, the lock might have been damaged by force or tools. Signs of tampering can include scratches, dents, or broken parts inside the cylinder. How to tell: You see fresh damage around the lock. The key suddenly stops working after a break-in attempt. The lock feels loose or doesn’t turn at all. Solution: 4/6 Call a professional locksmith right away to assess the damage. It’s also a good idea to consider replacing the lock to restore security. 9. The Key Was Improperly Cut If you had a duplicate key made at a hardware store or kiosk, there’s a chance it wasn’t cut correctly. Even small mistakes can cause the key not to work. How to tell: The new key has rough edges. It never worked properly from the start. Other copies of the key work fine. Solution: Have the key recut by a professional locksmith who uses precision cutting machines and can ensure the new key matches the original. 10. Lack of Regular Maintenance Just like any other mechanical device, locks and ignitions need care to stay in good shape. Without regular maintenance, they can become stiff or fail. How to tell: You haven’t lubricated or cleaned the lock in years. The key has gradually become harder to turn. You hear grinding or squeaking noises. Solution: Schedule regular lock maintenance with a locksmith. They can clean, lubricate, and adjust your locks to keep them working reliably. Summary When your key stops working, it can be stressful, especially if it happens at the worst time. But by understanding the common reasons keys fail, you can take steps to prevent problems and know what to do if they happen. Whether it’s a worn-out key, a damaged lock, or a transponder issue, a professional locksmith can help you get back to normal quickly and safely. 5/6 Don’t wait until you’re locked out, if you notice early signs like sticking, bending, or difficulty turning your key, get it checked right away. A little attention now can save you from bigger headaches later. 6/6