Garage Door Key Will Not Turn
Stiff, seized or worn garage lock barrels freed or replaced, so the key turns smoothly and the door locks and unlocks properly again.
Manual garage doors only - no electric doors No fix, no fee 24/7, emergency and non emergencyCommon causes
Grit and corrosion in the barrel
The most common cause. Rain, dust and road grime work into the keyway, and the pins inside stop moving freely. A dry PTFE or graphite lock lubricant sometimes frees it. Household oil is the wrong product: it collects dirt and makes the problem worse over time.
Worn key or worn pins
Old garage keys wear down, and so do the pins inside the barrel. A worn copy of a worn key is often the reason a lock suddenly stops working. A new barrel with new keys fixes both.
Lock under load
If the door has dropped or the latches are binding on the keeps, the cam behind the handle is under pressure and the key will not turn. Lifting or pushing the door slightly while turning the key is a sign this is the cause.
Broken cam or lock body
If the key turns but nothing happens, or it turns and then locks up, the mechanism behind the handle may have failed. See garage door handle lock replacement.
What not to do
- Do not force the key or use a tool on the key bow. That is how keys snap. See key snapped in garage lock.
- Do not use household oil, cooking oil or grease in the keyway.
- Do not hammer the handle or the barrel face.
How we fix it
We check whether the problem is in the barrel, in the mechanism behind the handle or in the alignment of the door. A barrel that can be freed is cleaned and lubricated correctly. A worn or corroded barrel is replaced with new keys. If the door is binding, the latches and keeps are adjusted so the lock is not under load.
Frequently asked questions
What lubricant should I use on a garage door lock?
A dry PTFE or graphite lock lubricant. Avoid general household oils, which attract dirt.
Why does my key turn only when I push the door?
The latches are binding on the keeps, usually because the door has dropped or the cables have stretched. The latches or the door alignment need adjusting.
Can a copied key cause the problem?
Yes. A copy of a worn key is less accurate than the original. A new barrel with new keys removes the problem.
Is it cheaper to replace the barrel than the handle?
Usually. If only the barrel is worn, the handle can often be kept.
Related services
Lock Barrel Replacement
New barrel and keys when keys are lost, worn or you have moved into a new home.
Read moreGarage Door Lock Repair
Stiff, seized or broken locks, snapped cables and rods, latches that no longer catch.
Read moreKey Snapped in Garage Lock
Broken key extracted, barrel checked and replaced if the pins are damaged.
Read moreGarage door will not lock or open?
Send a photo of the handle and we will identify the lock.