How to Unlock a Round Door Handle Lock

It can be incredibly frustrating when you lock your door only to realize you've forgotten your key. If you decide to call a locksmith, you might end up waiting for hours, but if you're short on time, learning how to unlock it yourself could save the day. This skill comes in handy during emergencies.

Straighten out one hairpin until both ends form a 90-degree angle. Be careful not to stretch it too wide as this could cause the metal to break. If that happens, you'll need a new hairpin to continue. Now, the hairpin should be shaped like an “L”.

Remove the plastic coating from both ends. Usually, you can use your teeth to peel off this plastic layer. Alternatively, you can use pliers to pull it off, or use a fruit knife to scrape it off.

Bend one end to a 45-degree angle. Insert one end of the metal strip into the lock and bend it sideways. A small section at the end of the metal strip will be bent to a 45-degree angle. Be careful not to overbend it; this is not the 90-degree bend from earlier.

Bend the other end to form a handle. By this point, the hairpin should resemble an “L” shape, with the flattened end slightly bent down. Take the other end and fold it to form a “V” shape (with an angle of about 20 degrees) to act as the handle.

Get a second hairpin. You will need an additional hairpin to insert into the lock and twist it.

Bend the end of the second hairpin to a 70-degree angle. Don’t straighten this hairpin like the first one. Instead, use pliers to bend the closed end to a 70-degree angle. You can also use the same method as with the first hairpin: insert the closed end into the lock and bend it sideways to form the 70-degree angle.

Insert the closed end of the second hairpin (acting as a lever) into the lock hole. This lever will guide you while picking the lock and also help you rotate the lock once the pins are pushed up. The open end acts as a handle, allowing you to rotate the lever and apply pressure to the lock pins.

Gently rotate the lever. Rotate the lever slowly but firmly in the direction you would normally turn a key to unlock the door. The lock mechanism will engage with the pins, and you’ll feel resistance. Maintain pressure on the lock shaft as you begin to pick the lock.

Slide the pick (the original hairpin) into the lock, just above the lever. The bent end should face upwards so that it can push the pins up.

Feel for a stuck or “blocking” pin. Continue applying pressure with the lever on the lock, and start moving the pick forward with an up-and-down motion to sense the pins. Some pins may move easily up and down. Push the pick forward until you hit a “stuck” pin. This pin will be much harder to move.

Work the stuck pin until you hear a click. Move the pick up and down on the stuck pin until it slides into the lock shaft with a click. This sound indicates that the pin’s notch has aligned with the lock shaft, and it is no longer blocking the movement of the lock shaft.

Repeat the same steps for the remaining pins. Once you’ve dealt with one pin, another will likely get stuck. Find the next pin and apply the same method.

• Remember to keep pressure on the lever.
• Move the pick in an up-and-down motion.
• Feel when the pick touches a pin and adjust your movements accordingly.

Rotate the lever to open the lock. Once you feel that all the pins have been pushed up, apply more pressure to the lever, and the lock will open.

• If the lock doesn’t open, you may have pushed a pin too high. In this case, reduce the pressure slightly on the lever. Doing so will cause that pin to drop, but be aware that other pins may drop as well, requiring you to start over.

Make sure your lock has a spring-loaded pin. A spring-loaded pin lock means the lock contains a spring, and the pin is beveled at one end. This type of lock is one of the most common. The credit card method won’t work on other lock types. Round door handle locks typically have a spring-loaded pin. If your door lock has a fixed pin, this method won’t work.

Choose a card you’re willing to replace. This method may cause the card to bend or break. Instead of using a credit card or ATM card, it’s better to use an expired gift card, a supermarket membership card, or a rarely used credit card that’s easy to replace.

Insert the card into the gap between the door and the frame. Slide it to the position where the latch pin is located, next to the door handle. You will need to push the card slightly bent to fit it into the gap.

Move the card up and down while pushing it firmly forward. You will need to press the card into the latch pin that holds the door in a locked state. The pin has a beveled surface, and your goal is to slide the card along this plane to push the latch inside.

Push the card in the opposite direction of the door. The card will exert pressure on the latch, forcing it back into the door.

Turn the handle while pushing the card. Start turning the handle to unlock the door while you push the card in. The door will open once the card slides past the latch, allowing the handle to rotate.

Prepare the tools. Button locks are typically installed on indoor doors, such as those in bedrooms and bathrooms. They have a button on the inside handle, allowing someone inside to press the button to lock the door. Button locks can be opened from the outside using various tools. Anything long and straight that fits into the center hole of the handle will work. Consider using a hairpin, paperclip, or a wire hanger.

Locate the hole. Most button locks have a small hole in the center of the handle. If you can't find it, check the base of the handle or the area where the handle connects to the door. You'll find a tiny hole there.

Insert the paperclip into the hole and push. Push the paperclip into the hole until you feel resistance. At this point, push the paperclip further. The lock will make a clicking sound, and you'll be able to open the door.