The key is inserted from inside, and now what?

It’s an annoying situation: you are standing in front of a locked door and cannot open it because the key is still inside. But don’t panic – there are different ways to get back in. If the key is inserted from the inside and you cannot open the door as a result, this article gives you useful tips.

What you shouldn't try

In panic, many tend to try unconventional methods. But not everything that seems useful at first glance actually is:

- Rubber mallet: Impacts to the door, cylinder or frame can cause damage
- Your own opening attempts, e.g. with a cheque card: The cheque card and seals can be destroyed and this is rarely successful for inexperienced users.
- Wrecking bar: There is a risk of serious damage to the door or frame, which can entail high repair costs.
- Drilling: Drilling out the cylinder or lock should only be carried out by a specialist if absolutely necessary, as this may cause irreparable damage to the cylinder or door.

Find a suitable locksmith

The easiest and often the best solution when you are in the above situation is to contact a locksmith. The following points must be observed:

Reliability: Avoid overpriced providers. Reputable locksmiths and specialist dealers provide clear price information in advance. It’s best to choose well-known local locksmiths with their own store.

Availability: A good locksmith is often available around the clock and can be on site quickly.

The work should be carried out, causing as little mechanical damage as possible: An experienced locksmith can open the door in a way that minimises damage to the door and lock cylinder, but usually leaves the door itself intact. So there will be no significant damage.

What can be done to avoid this situation in the future

Check the locking system and cylinder type

Modern locking systems can help prevent lockout. For example, most modern cylinder types have an emergency and danger function or can be locked on both sides (e.g. Winkhaus cylinder type 51), which enables locking and unlocking from the outside, even if the key is inserted from the inside. Find out about our security solutions and find a partner near you in our Dealer Search to be ready for the future.

Store a second key

Even if you have installed a cylinder type with emergency and danger function, lockout might happen. Whether you’re bringing out the rubbish, or are “just” picking up something from the basement – and the door slams shut. In such cases, it is best to store a second key with trusted neighbours or friends or to place a (lockable) key deposit box in a suitable place. Some locksmiths also offer to deposit a second key securely in the shop for a small fee.

Caution with doors including an automatic locking system

If you have a door with an automatic locking system, make sure you have the key with you before closing the door. These doors often lock immediately and can quickly lead to an annoying mishap. With automatic door locking systems, such as the Winkhaus AV4 (or the electronic counterpart EAV4 or the blueMotion EAV system), the latch and the hooks at the top and bottom are automatically locked when the door is closed. In addition, the door can optionally be further secured with a key by activating the main deadbolt. The app is not sufficient to reopen the door when the main deadbolt is locked manually. Instead, the appropriate key is always required. Of course, pushing back the latch with a plastic card is not sufficient for multi-point locking systems, as the hooks are also locked.

Second key stored?
What to do if it is not of any help at all?

A stored spare key can be worth gold if you lock yourself out. But what do you do if it doesn't help? After all, if another key is inserted from the inside, a second key won't help - at least not for locking cylinders that cannot be locked from both sides. The following options are available to you:

- Opening doors in an emergency – call a professional: When the key is in the lock on the inside, an experienced locksmith is often the best solution. In cases where cheap mechanical locking systems without additional security features are installed, a specialist can sometimes open the door without damaging it, or at least with less force. A trustworthy locksmith can be found, for example, through our Winkhaus partners or the Interkey trade association.

- Check alternative access options: Is there perhaps an open window, patio door or another door that is not locked in order to get into the house?

The most important facts at a glance

If the door cannot be opened because the key is inserted from the inside, this is an unpleasant situation. But with the right partners and simple tips and tricks, the situation can be avoided or solved quickly. In an emergency, you should contact a reputable locksmith directly. To prevent such incidents, you should know and check your type of door lock and cylinder and think about storing a second key securely.