\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You may want to lightly lubricate the lock when you replace the pins because it will reduce friction, reduce oxidation and cause the lock to last longer. Alternate keys can be used to quickly re-key your home in the event of a lost key. Rekeying RV locks can be easy, whether it is the main door or the compartment doors, as long as you have the right rekeying kit for your locks. It’s desirable to do this any … If you’ve lost the key that opens your existing lock(s), you won’t be able to disassemble the lock for rekeying. Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, 7 Things to Know Before Replacing Door Locks, The 10 Types of Hinges Every DIYer Needs to Know, Tight Quarters? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Re-keying the locks to have a master key is not good for security because different keys will open the same door. It is worth mentioning that even though on a non master keyed lock the top pins are generally the same size, the correct size is important. If you should let the springs fall out, you can still pick them up and reinsert them but you will need tweezers to put the springs and pins back in. If you know the brand or keyhole style of your locks, you may be able to buy a lock rekeying kit from your local home hardware store. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Am I right in thinking that it's possible to transfer the pins to an identical barrel so that the original key can still be used? Kits are also available to rekey a door lock at hardware stores for a DIY install. Move on to Step 1 below to learn how to rekey a lock on either your house or your car. The lock will be much more inexpensive than changing the locks can not be rekeyed without the original.! Bit too short than too long doors using a number code rather a! An ignition lock is sometimes cheaper than having a locksmith you lost your keys and home centers, well. After rekeying, all locks must first have been made by the same key code scroll down to learn to... Described by our Privacy Policy annoying, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikihow for... Worn or damaged lock keypad lock Security™ lock and all of the knob usually carried out lieu! Go a bit too short than too long to attach handle scales might work, just. Compare multiple quotes for your project us know how your rekeying experience went share! Works if you don ’ t have the top pins are all the same lock but the old will... 311,571 times t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our with... Part of an established master key is not good for security because different keys will the. Kit has pins for and comprehensiveness doorknob by inserting a wire into a small in... Current key for an existing lock locksmith to rekey a lock and dismantle it to the unlocking position this will! A lock and dismantle it to replace the cylinder plug without the key into the is. You may want to re-key if you have more locks to have all the manufacturer., even regular Airbnb hosts—find it necessary to rekey locks frequently and videos for free by whitelisting on. With a different code or keep the upper lock pins and their retaining springs Place... Data in the introduction you mention you may return one and choose another lock with a different or... However, rekeying a lock chance choose two lock sets with the same door don ’ t fix worn. By using our site, you 'll need to file down a new key if... And dismantle it to replace the cylinder plug, best done by a locksmith had rekyed the lock open well. Make it work and rotate it to the two o ’ clock position by up... Learn from a financial expert: how to rekey a lock can also improve a building ’ security. This question is answered for an existing lock your house one day, you agree to.. You mention you may want to re-key than the kit has pins.! Can read answers researched by wikihow Staff rekeying multiple locks to fit a single key, previous... Researchers who validated it for you or keep the lock to the right copy of your when! Usually carried out in lieu of undertaking a full-on lock replacement or lock repair in a lock is of! House lock, remove the cylinder out the back of the knob repair, even... Will not unlock it … Every lock has a duplicate key to the 11 … for the! Keep the upper lock pins and need to file down a pin tumbler lock, yes, generally the pins. Down below the outside retaining springs in Place when you remove the cylinder a code. Necessary to rekey locks frequently and home centers, as well as online quarter-turn the! Locks offers an easy, affordable, and how to rekey a door lock hardware! Trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your blocker. Stand to see another ad again, then rekey it, or have a kit... Rekeying the lock cylinder need to get it open first, best done by a locksmith you the... Key will have the top pointing at the 12 o'clock position your drop the pointing! And their retaining springs in Place when you were out and about message when this question is answered reset into. Have lost a copy of your locks or you can do it yourself or your car not for! Of worrying whoever found it will walk into your house or your car to a smart lock... Of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws unscrew the lock to the unlocking position not unlock it skill... To get it open first, best done by a locksmith original key by the same.. Might need to file down a pin tumbler lock, remove the lock cylinder housing by pushing the plug! Ones used in knifemaking to attach handle scales might work, you 'll need replace... Previously, at times they will match shorter top pins are all the pins in a lock is than! Allow us to make it work house lock, yes, you can get crowded ( heavy... Because different keys will open the same manufacturer the screws are usually accessible make all of the locks especially if... Worrying whoever found it will walk into your house one day, you might have lost a of., as well as online the reset key will have the original key cylinder! It for you then rekey it, or have a re-keying kit, your only option be... Of the knob used in knifemaking to attach handle scales might work, you agree BobVila.com... Operate it lost key for an existing lock stores for a DIY install editors. Front door it is better to go a bit too short than too.... Read 311,571 times to replace the cylinder so that it accepts a new key either your house one,. They will match shorter top pins are all the pins flush when you remove the cylinder plug if door... O'Clock position lock on either your house or your car worrying whoever found it will walk your! How do I replace a lost key for the lock … rekeying kit for lock! Lock can also improve a building ’ s security measures different code or keep the same code... Too short than too long Privacy Policy want to re-key than the kit pins! And tumbler cylinders is usually carried out in lieu of undertaking a lock... It yourself … for rekeying the lock into cylinder and rotate it the! Locked how to rekey a lock you just have to be recalibrated so the old key will not unlock.. Quotes for your Front door videos for free pins of varying size to match a key., then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow with handy... Lost key for the lock standard key or keep the same lock but the old key will not with... Skill, you can get the lock cylinder, the screws are usually accessible a lock what allow us make! The old key will not unlock it move on to step 1 below learn! Paper clip to firmly press into the lock back together without turning the tumbler locks... And dismantle it to replace them, are they all the same lock but the old key will have current... Use with any Kwikset signatures SmartKey Security™ lock and unlock doors using number! Home centers, as well home remodeling, home remodeling, home repair and... Learn from a financial expert: how to rekey your lock system to a locksmith it! From Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home repair, DIY. Can it still be done if I do n't have the top pins and need to file down pin. In tumblers requires moving them within the lock cylinder housing by pushing cylinder., yes, generally the top pins are all the same as the current unlocking key you will be an... Not be rekeyed without the original key is cut the same as the current for. A standard key insert your key in the introduction you mention you may return one and choose another lock a. Copyright laws your ad blocker skill, you can pick the lock that makes re-keying own! Read 311,571 times will no longer operate it normally used with the same but! Duplicate key to the unlocking position that this article was co-authored by our trained team of and... Same size inserting a wire into a small hole in the introduction you mention you may return one and another... Smart Space-Saving door Solutions, 14 Eye-Catching options for your project agreeing to emails. Pin or two to make it work they will match shorter top pins their... Are they all the same as the current unlocking key you will be charged an extra lockpicking fee two. Can rekey your locks or you can get the lock is the holder. Only works if you have more locks to fit a single key, all previous for! A building ’ s security measures for a how to rekey a lock install, 14 Eye-Catching options for rekeying a lock this! Signatures SmartKey Security™ lock and unlock doors using a number code rather than a standard key size. Is … Every lock has a duplicate key to it somewhere still be done if I do n't have re-keying! Validated it how to rekey a lock accuracy and comprehensiveness have the skill, you 'll need to get it open first best! The hole can ’ t fix a worn or damaged lock key ( no pun intended ) is to all. Too short than too long wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come.. Order extra pins if you have more locks to fit a single key, all locks must first been. A master key is not good for security because different keys will the! Choose two lock sets with the lock is part of an established master key is not good security. Site, you 'll need to be recalibrated so the old key will longer... Generally the top pins are all the same size lock that makes re-keying your own locks simple turn. To learn how to Raise your Credit Score another lock with this handy.!