It is, in fact, really aggravating to not have immediate access. Even more so if you need to enter or exit in a hurry but the door is locked!
The good news is that learning how to open a door without a key provides a solution to this bad circumstance.
Continue reading to find out more about these methods.
How To Open A Door Without A Key
Some of these methods are pure genius, while others may be last-ditch efforts. Whatever the scenario, none of these tried-and-true methods will allow a door to remain unlocked for too long.
1. Using A Credit Card
One of the simplest methods for opening a door without a key is this one. It functions well with doors that have latch bolts and a spring lock. Deadbolt-equipped doors cannot use it.
If you're going to use a credit card to open a door, make sure it's one you don't use anymore because doing so could do damage to it. It works best if the card is fairly flexible. You can bend and wriggle the card into the narrowest spaces thanks to this.
In the space between the door frame and the lock, place the card. Bend the card back and push the lock toward the door. This usually unlocks a locked door.
There are times, though, when there is no space between the door's frame and lock. Try placing the card at any location above the lock between the door and its frame in this situation. To unlock the door, quickly swipe the card downward and draw it against the door frame at the same time.
Applying pressure to the angled end of the latch bolt while it is facing you will cause it to pop open. Turn the doorknob to open the door when the card passes through the gap between the doorjamb and latch bolt.
2. Using A Paperclip Or Eyeglass-Repair Screwdriver
Have you ever found yourself locked within a room? For seclusion, internal door locksets are typically used on bathroom and bedroom doors. It does not imply that they cannot be opened or unlocked, though.
Simply check for a little hole on the face of the door knob. This is frequently located on the side of the door that doesn't latch. You need to press a tiny button located within the minuscule hole in order to open the door.
To unlock the door, try pushing a makeshift key—such as an unbent paperclip or a tiny eyeglass repair screwdriver—into the gap.
Some interior locks need to be unlocked by inserting the tool and twisting. A small screwdriver can be used in this situation. If you don't have one, flatten the paperclip's tip with a hammer before using it.
3. Removing The Doorknob With A Screwdriver
The lock can be taken apart and the doorknob removed using a screwdriver. A locked internal door may be unlocked using this.
Before removing the door knob and lock, if the doorknob's screws are visible, you can easily pull them out with a screwdriver.
To inspect the mounting screws, you must disassemble the knob if there are no visible screws on it. To access the locking mechanism, remove the screws. To unlock the door, the last step is to pull the latch away from the doorjamb. Watch this video to learn how to unlatch a doorknob lock without exposing any screws.
4. Using A Wire Clothes Hanger
With this method, doors with latch bolt locking mechanisms can be opened.
Procedure:
- Cut a length of wire from a clothing hanger, then, with the angled end facing away from you, use that to open the hanger.
- By bending one end of the wire and inserting it between the edge of the door and the doorjamb, you may create a small hook.
- Wrap the wire's straight end around the latch bolt.
- Pull the wire toward you while simultaneously using one hand to grip the wire and the other to turn the doorknob open. As pressure is applied, the latch will be compelled to retract, allowing the door to be opened by turning the knob.
5. Picking The Lock
While any type of lock can be opened using this method, you must be knowledgeable with the components of the lock and how they operate. Picking the lock is similar to how a key operates. You'll need an Allen wrench and a bobby pin or paperclip as well as other supplies.
Procedure:
- Start by placing the Allen wrench's shorter end into the keyhole's lower portion.
- Turn the Allen wrench just a little bit in the direction that the door key should be turning. While doing this, be careful to exert some pressure on the wrench.
- A bobby pin or paper clip should be inserted into the keyhole to hold the wrench in place. You're currently trying to pick the lock.
- Back up the paperclip or bobby pin gently. If that doesn't work, move the paperclip or bobby pin in a circular motion while gradually applying more pressure to the Allen wrench.
- Each time you repeat the action, apply additional pressure until the door lock moves. When that takes place, keep applying pressure while rotating the pin or clip until the door opens.
If none of these methods work, try picking the lock one pin at a time. Push the clip or pin in slowly and steadily while applying gentle, consistent pressure to the Allen wrench. Lift it up until you hear it click as it comes into touch with a pin. Till the door unlocks, repeat the process with the extra pins.
Desperate Measures
Here are some "desperate steps" you can use to help yourself escape the predicament if you have attempted the aforementioned methods for opening a door without a key but are still having trouble.
A word of caution: Before using these "desperate measures," try the solutions listed above first (they are safer!).
6. Removing The Hinges
One of the more drastic options you have when trying to unlock a door is this technique. With a flathead screwdriver and mallet, you can open the door without inflicting any harm, as opposed to other "desperate measures."
Depending on where the pinhead is, the screwdriver is placed between the knuckle and the pinhead in the hinge. After that, use the mallet to tap the screwdriver handle to loosen the pinhead. Pull the pin out once you've finished this.
All the hinges will be repaired using the same procedure. Make sure the pins are firmly stored away. Pull out each pin one at a time, then gently push the door open.
If you're having trouble getting the pins out, try prying them out one at a time with a Phillips head screwdriver.
7. Drilling The Lock
This method works wonders for a stuck lock. A drill, a flathead screwdriver, and oil are required.
To determine which drill bit or bits to use, first try to drill over the keyhole. After that, oil the drill bits before you begin drilling. This may facilitate the bits' ability to penetrate the metal.
Be aware about destroying the pins by drilling a hole through the lock or knob.
Once the drill bit has reached the locking mechanism, insert a flathead screwdriver into the freshly drilled hole, then turn the lock to pry out the internal cylinder. The lock may be harmed by drilling, but a new door won't be required.
Before drilling all around a lock, it is advised to attempt drilling the lock itself.
If the door continues to be locked, you can take it a step further by drilling around the lock. Before forcing the door open, loosen the lock by drilling a few small holes in the wood. This method of unjamming a lock can harm the door, necessitating the purchase of a replacement.
8. Using A Hammer
You can destroy a lock with a hammer in case of emergency if you are locked out or need to enter the home. Strike the doorknob or lock downward repeatedly until it disengages from the door.
Being locked out or locked in can be avoided by keeping a spare key safely tucked away. However, there are a number of methods to unlock a locked door if you don't have a key.
The methods can be as straightforward as using a paperclip or credit card to the most extreme ones like taking off the hinges or using a hammer to shatter the lock.
However, you can always think about hiring a locksmith to open the door if you have the luxury of time.
