“Abel was quick and fast didn’t have to wait 30 minutes to an hour . If ever in need of an locksmith contact Abel metro locksmith very speedy nice and reasonable.”
Broken Key Extraction for Doors, Cars & Ignitions
Half the key in your hand and the other half stuck in the lock? We remove broken keys from front doors, deadbolts, padlocks, car doors and ignitions across Columbia and the Midlands — and cut a new key before we leave.
Get Help Now
Serving homes & businesses across the Midlands
Quality Hardware
Grade-rated deadbolts and cylinders from established brands, not bargain-bin locks.
Experienced Technicians
Residential lock work every day across Columbia and the Midlands.
Upfront Pricing
Parts and labor quoted before we start, so the invoice matches the quote.
Licensed & Insured
Background-checked, licensed in South Carolina and insured for work in your home.
Why Keys Break — and What Not to Do
Keys usually snap because they are worn thin from years of use, bent from being used as a pry tool, or forced into a lock that was already stiff. Once a piece is stuck inside, the instinct is to dig at it with tweezers, a paper clip or super glue. All three tend to push the fragment deeper or glue the pins solid, turning a simple extraction into a lock replacement.
We use thin, hooked extraction tools that slide along the keyway and catch the cuts of the broken piece. In most cases the fragment comes out cleanly and the lock works normally afterwards. If the lock was the reason the key broke — stiff, worn or damaged — we will tell you and offer to service or replace it.
Because we have both halves of the key, we can cut a new one on the spot. For car keys with a chip, we can cut and program a replacement during the same visit.
From Snapped Key to Working Lock
Most extractions take minutes, not hours.
Stop and Call
Don’t push the broken piece deeper with tweezers or glue. Call and tell us where it broke.
Clean Extraction
We use purpose-made extractors to pull the fragment out without damaging the lock.
New Key Cut
We cut a fresh key from the pieces or the code, so the same thing doesn’t happen again.
Where We Extract Broken Keys
- Front door knobs and deadbolts
- Commercial storefront and office locks
- Car doors and trunks
- Ignition cylinders
- Padlocks, mailboxes and gate locks
- Filing cabinets and desk locks
What Our Customers Say
Real Google reviews from customers across Columbia and the Midlands.
“Came very fast and got my keys out in seconds !”
“Car keys replacement for my Car !! Excellent job!!”
“That got my truck unlocked in a pinch”
“Professional and quick, and curteous”
“On time & fast service!!!!!”
“I can honestly say that I was ever pleased with his service and the prompt of them arriving. Also, he made sure that everything worked properly before leaving. His workmanship really was a relief in a frustrating situation made better. I recommend.”
“I had a problem with my car keys l called metro locksmith and they arrived within minutes very professional and affordable.”
“The tech was very knowledgeable and and fast, excellent service”
“Great guy made a key for my truck with a active alarm”
“Fast and efficient! Won't call anyone else!”
“Very good service”
“Fast service”
“Buen servicio ❤️”
“Muy buen servicio”
Broken Key Extraction FAQ
Can you remove a broken key without replacing the lock?
In most cases, yes. We use extraction tools designed to remove the fragment without damaging the pins or cylinder.
Should I try to get it out myself?
We recommend not. Tweezers and glue often push the piece deeper or jam the lock, which makes the job more expensive.
Can you make a new key from the broken pieces?
Yes. With both pieces we can cut an accurate new key on site. For chip car keys we also program the new key.
My key broke in the car ignition — can you help?
Yes. We extract keys from ignitions and can repair the cylinder if it is damaged.
Is broken key extraction an emergency service?
Yes, we handle it 24/7 — especially when the broken key has left you locked out.
How much does broken key extraction cost?
It depends on the lock and time of day. We quote before we start, with no hidden fees.
Broken Key Extraction Across the Midlands
Same technicians, same 24/7 line, same upfront pricing in every town we serve.
- Locksmith in Columbia, SC
- Locksmith in Ballentine, SC
- Locksmith in Batesburg-Leesville, SC
- Locksmith in Blythewood, SC
- Locksmith in Cayce, SC
- Locksmith in Chapin, SC
- Locksmith in Dentsville, SC
- Locksmith in Eastover, SC
- Locksmith in Elgin, SC
- Locksmith in Forest Acres, SC
- Locksmith in Gaston, SC
- Locksmith in Gilbert, SC
- Locksmith in Harbison, SC
- Locksmith in Hopkins, SC
- Locksmith in Irmo, SC
- Locksmith in Lexington, SC
- Locksmith in Lugoff, SC
- Locksmith in Newberry, SC
- Locksmith in Northeast Columbia, SC
- Locksmith in Oak Grove, SC
- Locksmith in Pelion, SC
- Locksmith in Prosperity, SC
- Locksmith in Red Bank, SC
- Locksmith in Saluda, SC
- Locksmith in Shandon & Five Points, SC
- Locksmith in Springdale, SC
- Locksmith in Swansea, SC
- Locksmith in West Columbia, SC
- Locksmith in Winnsboro, SC
Key Snapped Off in the Lock?
Leave it where it is and call us. We remove broken keys and cut replacements on site across Columbia and the Midlands, day or night.