Buzz
If your five-year-old accidentally locks the bathroom door, or you lock the garage and realize the key is still inside, you'll need to unlock it without the key. Before you call a locksmith and spend a fortune, it's good to know that most locks can be easily picked using items you have at home. This guide will show you how to unlock round doorknob locks, commonly found on bathroom or bedroom doors, using basic household items.
Steps
Unlocking a Bathroom/Bedroom Door Lock
Identify the type of lock you need to open. Most round doorknob locks used for bathrooms/bedrooms have a button or turning mechanism on the inside. The outer knob will have a small hole in the center, used for emergency unlocking.
- If possible, identify whether the lock is a push button or twist mechanism.
- If the outer knob has a keyhole instead of a small round hole, follow the method used for round doorknob locks on doors.
Find a suitable object to pick the lock. You need to find something long, thin, and small enough to fit into the hole, yet sturdy enough to apply pressure on the lock mechanism. Ideal options include a screwdriver, a small hex key, a bobby pin, or a paperclip. You could also use a bamboo skewer from the kitchen or a cotton swab with the cotton tip removed.
- If using a bobby pin or paperclip, you’ll need to straighten and bend them into a long, straight metal shape.
- If you can't find any of the above, get creative! Open a ballpoint pen and use the ink tube inside, or search your wallet for a toothpick. You’re sure to find something that will work!
Pick the lock with the tool you found. If the lock has a button, insert the tool into the hole until you feel resistance, then continue pushing. You'll hear a click, indicating the lock has opened. If the lock has a turning mechanism, insert the tool and rotate in a circular motion until it hits something, then keep pushing gently. You’ll hear a click, and the door will open.
- For locks with a turning mechanism, you may need to rotate the tool both clockwise and counterclockwise until the lock unlocks.
Remove the doorknob. If you can’t open the lock using the methods above, remember that most round doorknob locks are assembled with two visible screws. Find a suitable screwdriver to unscrew these. You’ll have the knob off in a few minutes. Once you remove the remaining lock parts from the hole, you’ll be able to open the door.
- It’s best to unscrew a little at a time, alternating between the two screws.
- You may need to pull gently on the knob while loosening the screws.
- In some cases, the screws are hidden beneath a decorative cover. If so, remove the cover first by inserting a bobby pin into a small hole or using a flathead screwdriver to pry it off.
Use a Credit Card to Unlock a Door Lock
Ensure you have permission to pick the lock. If the lock belongs to someone else’s house, you must get the homeowner’s permission before proceeding. Breaking into someone’s home without permission is a serious crime and can lead to jail time.
Find a suitable card. The ideal card should be made of plastic, sturdy yet slightly flexible. Avoid using credit cards as they may get damaged while unlocking. A supermarket membership card or a laminated library card is a great choice. Even a rigid business card can unlock some types of locks.
Use a card to unlock the lock. Hold the card and slide it into the gap between the door and the frame. Start at the position above the handle and slide the card down. You might need to wiggle the card back and forth a bit, but if you're lucky, the card will push the latch and unlock the door.
- This technique is only effective with regular keyed locks and won’t work with locks that have fixed latches.
- Some doors may open immediately when using this method, while others may require more effort. Experiment with different cards and angles to find the best approach.
- Keep in mind that this technique simply pushes the latch and doesn't truly unlock the door. If you let the door close, you’ll still be locked out!
Open the door lock using another tool
Make sure you have permission to tamper with the lock. If the lock is not on your door, you must ask the homeowner for permission before proceeding. Breaking and entering into someone else’s home is illegal!
Use other tools to unlock the lock. A hairpin is the best choice, but you can also use a paperclip or a piece of stiff wire. First, straighten the hairpin or paperclip to create a lock pick. Then, bend the final 3mm of the pick at a 20-degree angle.
- If you're using a plastic-coated hairpin, you’ll need pliers or wire cutters to remove the coating.
Making a Spinner Stick. You can either use an additional hairpin or straighten a paperclip and fold it in half to form an L shape. The spinner stick needs to be fairly sturdy, so opt for a thick paperclip or hairpin. You may also use a small flathead screwdriver or a similar tool that fits into the bottom of the lock's keyhole.
Picking the Lock with the Tools You Created. First, insert the spinner stick into the bottom of the keyhole and rotate it in the direction of unlocking, applying pressure to the lock. Maintain this pressure throughout the process. Then, gently insert the pick into the top of the lock, moving it up and down. You'll hear several clicks as the pins inside the lock lift. Once all pins are raised, the spinner stick will be able to rotate freely and the door will open.
- This technique can unlock most locks within seconds, but requires practice. If you feel frustrated after struggling for a while, take a break and start over.
- This method is also effective for locks with fixed pins and hook locks.
- Picking a lock this way may seem suspicious and could lead neighbors to call the police. If you're a teenager, it's best to notify your parents beforehand and provide them with proof that it's your house before starting, in case you need to explain to the authorities.
Tips
- Avoid using toothpicks or fragile objects. Wooden sticks can get stuck in the lock, requiring you to disassemble the entire door.
- Check other locks around the house with similar mechanisms.
- If the bathroom or bedroom door has a round knob lock, keep a specialized tool nearby to easily open it in an emergency, saving you time searching for one later.
Warnings
- Using this technique to break into someone else's home, especially in apartments, is illegal. If you are questioned about unlocking the door, you must contact the authorities.
- The bathroom contains many potential dangers that could be life-threatening. If a child locks themselves in the bathroom, treat it as an emergency. If you can't open the door immediately, call emergency services. They regularly handle such situations, so it's best to reach out to them to prevent any unfortunate outcomes.
