![]() Neighbors can also be helpful in situations where a key is broken inside a lock, especially if they have tools or a phone that could assist. If you’re locked out of your home and the only working key has been broken, it might be time to call a locksmith because removing the broken bit won’t unlock the door. Those that are determined to get in themselves and still have access to a vehicle can go to a local hardware store in order to gather the materials required. Use a towel or a rag to wipe up any WD-40 that drips from the lock down the door after spraying the keyhole and around the broken key bit.Īfter a lubricant has been sprayed into the keyhole, it’s time to gather the necessary tools. A dry lubricant such as Dry Lock Lube won’t leave residue that could collect dirt and grime over time, unlike an oil-based lubricant. Dry lubricants are typically the ideal way to go, over oil-based lubricants, however, WD-40 will work fine if you’re in a pinch. If you find yourself in this situation and should you decide to attempt to remedy the problem yourself, consider some of the following tips and tricks for removing broken keys from locks.īefore trying to remove the broken key bit from the lock, it would be a good idea to first spray a lubricant into the keyhole and around the broken piece. Once inside, the disabled lock can be dealt with more easily and safely. What is the time frame I’m comfortable setting for myself before calling for professional help?īusinesses and homeowners who have access to additional keys should immediately leave the disabled lock alone and first gain entry to the building through another door or window. How far is the broken key bit inserted in the lock? How far away is the local hardware store?ĭo I know anyone that has a working key, or is there a spare nearby? When looking into the keyhole at the broken piece, ask yourself the following questions: Nearly 400,000 subscribers received the newsletter complete with a handwritten tip every day.Before attempting to remove the broken key from the lock yourself, first take a look at the situation and collect your thoughts. He gave advice on dark web scans on Miami's NBC 6, discussed Windows XP's demise on WGN-TV's Midday News in Chicago, and shared his CES experiences on WJR-AM's Guy Gordon Show in Detroit.Ĭhris also ran MakeUseOf's email newsletter for two years. ![]() In addition to his extensive writing experience, Chris has been interviewed as a technology expert on TV news and radio shows. The company's project was later reportedly shut down by the U.S. A wave of negative publicity ensued, with coverage on BuzzFeed News, CNBC, the BBC, and TechCrunch. ![]() At CES 2018, he broke the news about Kodak's "KashMiner" Bitcoin mining scheme with a viral tweet. Starting in 2015, Chris attended the Computer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for five years running. His work has even appeared on the front page of Reddit.Īrticles he's written have been used as a source for everything from books like Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff, media theory professor at the City University of New York's Queens College and CNN contributor, to university textbooks and even late-night TV shows like Comedy Central's with Chris Hardwick. His roundups of new features in Windows 10 updates have been called "the most detailed, useful Windows version previews of anyone on the web" and covered by prominent Windows journalists like Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley on TWiT's Windows Weekly. Instructional tutorials he's written have been linked to by organizations like The New York Times, Wirecutter, Lifehacker, the BBC, CNET, Ars Technica, and John Gruber's Daring Fireball. The news he's broken has been covered by outlets like the BBC, The Verge, Slate, Gizmodo, Engadget, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, ZDNet, The Next Web, and Techmeme. ![]() Beyond the column, he wrote about everything from Windows to tech travel tips. He founded PCWorld's "World Beyond Windows" column, which covered the latest developments in open-source operating systems like Linux and Chrome OS. He also wrote the USA's most-saved article of 2021, according to Pocket.Ĭhris was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Beyond the web, his work has appeared in the print edition of The New York Times (September 9, 2019) and in PCWorld's print magazines, specifically in the August 2013 and July 2013 editions, where his story was on the cover. With over a decade of writing experience in the field of technology, Chris has written for a variety of publications including The New York Times, Reader's Digest, IDG's PCWorld, Digital Trends, and MakeUseOf. Chris has personally written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than one billion times-and that's just here at How-To Geek. Chris Hoffman is the former Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. ![]()
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