Solved: How To Remove Schlage Deadbolt as a DIY Project

It is always a nightmare if your family member gets stuck in a room and you have no option left but to remove the door lock.

One of my clients called me to ask how to remove Schlage deadbolt as his child got locked in a room and they didn’t have the keys. We all know how secure deadbolt locks are, and how tough it is to break or remove them if you don’t know the process.

Besides, since Schlage deadbolts have a larger bolt, they are even harder than regular deadbolts to open.

Another point worth noting is that Schlage deadbolts are constructed with an exceedingly robust substance that prevents the screws from being drilled out. Also a drill-resistant plate surrounds the cylinder, which one can not really remove or drill through. If you have a normal deadbolt and are looking for ways to remove it, I did an article on how to remove a deadbolt lock.

In my 30+ years as a security consultant, I have seen my fair share of all sorts of locks and hence my experience came in handy for that family.

In this article I am going to cover 3 different scenarios where you might have to remove the Schlage lock.

How To Remove Schlage Deadbolt in 3 Different Scenarios

I have covered 3 different scenarios where you might have to remove a deadbolt. By following the below steps, you can remove the lock from the door frame without professional help.

How To Remove Schlage Deadbolt

Read and follow the steps below to know how to remove the Schlage deadbolt without professional help.

Things You will Need:

• A flat head screwdriver
• A Philips screwdriver

Step-by-step Instructions

• On the inner side of the door lock, unscrew the mounting bolts. When they’re entirely loose, take them out of the door lock.
• Set the two handles aside by pulling the inside handle away from the outside handle.
• Now, push a Philips screwdriver into one of the latch mechanism’s holes. Pull the latch mechanism out of the door with the screwdriver.
• In the end, pull the strike plate away from the door jamb by removing the screws from the strike plate.

How To Remove a Schlage Deadbolt Without Visible Screws

We all know removing a Schlage deadbolt is difficult due to its strong locking mechanism, on top of it removing a deadbolt that does not have visible screws can be challenging, if it’s your first time with such Schlage deadbolt  .

You must be wondering how a lock can stay intact without screws. It’s not a mystery anymore as the screws are located behind the base plate and that’s why they are not visible to anybody from outside.

To help you out, I have mentioned the steps how to remove a Schlage deadbolt without visible screws

Things You Will Need:

• A screwdriver.
• A key of your Schlage door lock
• Allen Key

Step-by-step Instructions

• Start by removing the deadbolt base plate with the help of a screwdriver.
• Then turn the key so that the long bolt that extends to the door for locking the door stretches out.
• You will notice two small holes there; insert the Allen key into that small hole on an extended deadbolt.
• Now close the bolt with the help of your lock key.
• Turn the Allen key to the left.
• Now, you will be able to loosen the lock easily from the door frame.

Repeat the same above process on the exterior side of the lock if you have a double-keyed deadbolt without screws.

How To Remove A Schlage Lock Cylinder

You may believe that these door lock cylinders will last a lifetime, this is not always the case.The lock cylinder is subjected to a lot of beating throughout the course of its life, with some users opening it numerous times a day. It’s possible that the door lock cylinder will stop working at some time, and you’ll have to replace it.

Some of the scenarios where you have to remove a Schlage lock cylinder are:-

• You are not able to enter the key into the cylinder of the door lock. It’s possible that something has blocked the lock.
• You can’t get the key out of the door lock cylinder. This one might be really aggravating because you’ve got a key jammed inside.
• It is visible to you that the lock cylinder is broken.

Read and follow the steps below to know how to remove a Schlage lock cylinder in such scenarios as a DIY project. 

Things You Will Need:

• A Philips screwdriver
• Metal paper clip
• Allen key

Step-by-step Instructions

• To begin, you must first determine the lock’s location and the spot where you insert your key.
• On the lock, you will see a cover plate that contains two screws, one on the top and one on the bottom section of the metal. Unscrew both the screws with the help of a philips screwdriver, and you will see the lock’s body.
• Now, locate the locking screw and begin unscrewing it, being careful not to remove the nuts that link the faceplate.
• Now, insert the metal paper clip or Allen key to the right side of the lock, above the cylinder cam. 
• Push the cylinder cam downwards with pressure until it enters the lock.

Faqs

Q1. How do you remove a Schlage deadbolt from the inside?

Answer – Follow the steps given below to remove a Schlage deadbolt from the inside:-

• With a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the mounting screws on the lock cylinder on the inside side of the door and take the cylinder away from the door.
• If the cylinder is stuck, carefully pull it out of the door using a flat-head screwdriver positioned beneath the cylinder’s edge.

Q2. How do you remove a Schlage door lever?

Answer – Follow the steps given below to remove a Schlage door lever:-

• Find the pin tool that comes with your lock and use it. Insert the tool into the tiny hole on the lever base and pull the lever away while gently depressing the retainer pin.
• Remove both levers carefully and replace them.
• While replacing them, check that the retainer pin is centered with the little hole on the lever base.

Q3. How to fix a Schlage deadbolt lock?

Answer – Follow the steps given below to fix a Schlage deadbolt lock:-

• Using your Philips screwdriver, remove the three screws on the side of the door where the lock is positioned. Remove the plate after that.
• On the other side of the cylinder, find the countersunk set screw. Loosen the set screw with your flat head driver but not remove it. 
•  Now adjust the cylinder to its proper position and tighten the set screw.
• In the end, loosen the screws at the top or bottom of the main lock body to give the cylinder more wriggle room and reconnect the plate afterward.

Conclusion

That’s it folks! I outlined all the steps in as much detail as possible. I hope that this article on how to remove a Schalge deadbolt was useful to you. 

If you know any family or friends who might be using Schlage locks, then forward this article to them. They will greatly appreciate your help. Also, share your thoughts on the article. 

What aspect of the lock removing process did you find the most difficult? Leave a comment in the box below.