Q&A for How to Remove a Broken Key

This question can't be answered without knowing exactly which type of lock the key is broken off in.

You could try heating the tip of a glue-gun stick and carefully inserting it into the keyhole. Once the glue adheres to the broken key piece, gently twist and pull the stick to extract it.

If your key was already difficult to remove before it snapped, the lock may be worn, dirty, or misaligned. You usually do not need to remove the entire assembly immediately. Begin by spraying graphite lubricant into the keyway and gently trying to pull the broken piece out with pliers or a key extractor, ensuring that the gate isn't putting pressure on the latch, which can bind the key. If these steps fail, removing the lock cylinder for repair or replacement may be necessary.

If a key breaks in a gate lock, avoid pushing it deeper. If a portion of the key is exposed, grip it with needle-nose pliers and pull straight out, optionally using graphite lubricant in the keyway. If the key is flush, slide a broken key extractor or a bent paperclip beside it to hook the grooves and pull gently. After removing the fragment, use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully return the cylinder to the neutral position.