The lock won't turn. The key's gone. Now what?

At the lock, the work starts with a key, a cylinder, and a door that will not give. A car door, a house deadbolt, and a storefront knob all need the same close look at the slot, the face, and the latch area. They part company where the parts meet the vehicle, the wood trim, or the commercial door surface. A fob needs its own pairing, while a worn strike or a bent latch shows a different problem at the edge of the door.

On the phone, you can say the key turns partway, the knob feels loose, the deadbolt sticks, or the fob will not respond. Those words help us picture the keyway, the button, and the bolt. If you cannot say that much, we ask about the door style, the lock shape, and whether the key is cut or electronic. We listen for the scrap of metal in the key slot, the keypad on the door, or the worn edge of the latch.