The key to my dorm won't turn

Question

it's really late and my adviser is out of town and my emergency neighbors are gone too, I'm uncomfortable asking other people as I just moved in and don't know too many people here, I also have a single room, but the key fits into the lock and won't turn, any ideas of how to make it budge?

Answer 1

Put WD40 on the key or ask your neighbors for anything you can grease the key with (avoid butter or anything that might smell or rot..).  Virgin olive oil perhaps? It sounds like your copy is bad.

Answer 2

Now,  are you at the right dorm room?  You could be putting your key into the wrong door.  Ever think of that.

May be there is something stuck in the key hole.  Like a toothpick or something like that.

When you put the key in, try lifting the back of the key and try turning.  If that does not work try lifting the front of the key and try turning.  

Call a locksmith to come and pick it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

My friend's home has a similar problem with the door sometimes. Try pulling the door forward or back. Sometimes the doorknob bar isn't aligned with the keyhole in the doorframe so the lock doesn't work right. Then turn firmly. If nothing works, make sure you have the right key in the first place! Then go the front desk and ask for help. If you don't have such assistance, you may just have to hang around the area for a bit. Sometimes people will need to walk out of their room at this time for whatever reason and perhaps you can ask them for help.

Answer 4

is that key broken? or bent out of shape? try and put the key in the lock straight and turn either way, try and  unlock the door, if you have a plastic card try and slip that in-between the door and the lock, that will get your door to open up, you can use a club card or a library card to get in, when you have a couple of back-to-back days that you are off test your key. If that doesn't work go to the home depot in person and find out why your key won't open you dorm door, do you have the phone number to your adviser? that way if that happens again you know what to do.

Answer 5

Try pulling the door toward you while turning the key.  If that dosen't work try pushing the door while turning the key.  You have to keep turning the key back and forth while doing either of these.  If that dosen't work try using WD40.  It is a spray lubricant that mechanics use on cars.  You can find it in any market in the automotive section.  Just spray it into the hole and on the key.  Keep turning the key both ways to work it in.  Just  remember that it is only a temporary fix.  Once you get the door open work the key in the opposite side of the lock if you have a dead bolt lock.  Then when you have the time use a screwdriver to remove the lock and clean the whole lock inside and out.  Stuff might have built up into the lock and that's why it's not turning.  

Answer 6

you have to go out of your comfort zone and ask one of your neighbors for some kind of oil, even cooking oil, baby oil, massage oil would work. pour a fair amount on the key or dip it. turn it easy, do not force it.