Solved: How To Unlock A Schlage Lock Without A Key?

A friend of my wife came over to our place last week to invite us to her daughter’s “sweet 16.” It was a happy nostalgic day until, upon reaching her place back, she called us to check whether she had left her house keys at our place.  She discovered she had misplaced the keys somewhere along the way when we were unable to locate them. Upon finding her distressed, I offered her help and drove down to her place.

The realization that you’ve locked the handle and left your keys on the entry table after almost exiting the front door is a frustrating sensation. Dropping your house keys somewhere you don’t even know is even worse. Have you experienced something similar? If so, then stop worrying now!   There are several efficient methods that might help you if you are looking for how to open a Schlage lock without a key. 

To unlock a Schlage lock without the key in a non destructive manner, you may either pick your lock using a lock picking kit or a credit card or knife. If you are unable to succeed, reach out to a locksmith to do the task. In cases of emergency, you may also use a drilling tool to open your Schlage. This method, however, will cause damage to your lock.

In this article, I’ll go over the best techniques for opening a Schlage lock without a key. So, if one of your loved ones or you are locked out of your house, carefully read each solution.

Can You Unlock A Schlage Lock Without A Key?

In most circumstances, it is possible to open a Schlage lock without a key. However, some high-security Schlage locks can only be opened by a certified locksmith. If you try to unlock your Schlage lock yourself without the original key, the difficulty of unlocking a Schlage lock on your own can vary according to the lock you use.

How To Unlock A Schlage Lock Without A Key?

A lost key can make anyone feel frustrated, especially when you are locked out of your home. If there is a situation of emergency, I can very well imagine the panic.

However, in this section of the article, I will list various ways to help you open a Schlage lock without a key. So whether you are worried about the lost key for Schlage electronic lock or the Schlage deadbolt, you would be happy to know that several approaches will make your entry into the house easy.

Pick Your Schlage Lock

Lock-picking is the most well-known and widely-used technique for unlocking a lock. Normally, a lock-picking kit is needed for this approach. However, a few paper clips can also do the job. If you are looking for a lock-picking kit, you may consider the Precision lock-picking kit. I have had a chance to have my hands on it, and it served the purpose well. 

Although the lock-picking procedures may appear straightforward, true mastery requires training and experience. Hence, locksmiths can do this job well. But it is possible to DIY the task and save yourself some money.  

Here’s how

• Step 1: Place the tension wrench in the lock on the side opposite from where the key’s teeth would typically rest.
• Step 2: Place the rake into the lock where the teeth of the keys would go while maintaining tension on the tension wrench.
  
• Step 3: Twist the rake, pushing and pulling it out of the lock while being guided by sensation.
• The key pin should feel like it has reached the shear line.
• Step 4: Turn the tension wrench in the right direction, and the lock should automatically unlock.

Use A Credit Card To Open The Lock

Although it may seem impossible to you, you might be able to use a credit card to open your Schlage lock. Locksmiths occasionally employ this technique; however, they substitute a stronger plastic shim for the credit card. The drawback of the credit card technique is that the majority of modern locks have a latch design that is resistant to shimming, but it is still worthwhile to try. Additionally, if your lock is a high-security lock, you won’t succeed.

Here is how you can try unlocking your Schlage lock without the original key using a credit card.

• Step 1: Insert the card into the space between the doorknob and the door frame and then slide it down next to the doorknob. Push it in at a 90-degree angle, as far as it can go.
• Step 2: Tilt your credit card so that the side that is facing you is practically touching the doorknob. The credit card can be inserted further into the space between the door and the door frame.
• Step 3: Bend the card back the other way to make the card slip under the angled end of the slant-latch. This will force it back into the door.
• Step 4: Now open the door quickly and unlock it from the opposite side.
• Step 5: If your door did not open, try bending your card several times while leaning against the door. This should increase the latch’s resistance and cause it to release.

Drill The Lock To Open

While drilling the lock is an approach for breaking open your Schlage lock, it should only be used as a last resort and in an emergency as the lock’s internal parts will be damaged by the drill, rendering it useless.

Once you unlock the lock using the drill, you’ll need to repair the lock and possibly other door components. Hence the method can be totally avoided unless someone is in danger or needs help right away. 

In SOS situations, locate the appropriate drill bit and tool, then proceed. Slowly work your way through each of the 5–6 pins without exerting too much pressure. 

To protect yourself from any flying metal, it could be a good idea to use eye protection.

Get A New Key Made By A Locksmith

Lost keys of Schlage locks are not covered under the Schlage warranty. Hence, you can have a key to lock and unlock your Schlage lock by getting a duplicate key made by the locksmith. Yes, a locksmith can cut a new key for your lock even without the original key using the lock. However, since some locks are more complicated than others, the procedure to cut a duplicate key for your Schlage lock may depend upon its model and level of security. 

Here are a few ways how a locksmith can create a duplicate key for your Schlage lock.

Cutting The Key Code: The simplest technique for a locksmith to create a key for your lock without the original key is to cut the key in accordance with the key code. But just because a process is reasonably simple doesn’t mean that every lock’s key can be made using it.

A key code is the code of the bits, which is essentially a collection of characters that represent the cutting and shape of the key for a certain lock. In some circumstances, the biting code is printed on the key rather than the lock. Alternatively, you can use the model number of the lock to trace the code, or you can contact the lock’s maker or reseller to see if they can provide you with the key code for your lock. Some high-security locks and locks from well-known brands come with user manuals that include the key code.

You can get a replacement key created for your lock without the old key if you are fortunate enough to possess or extract the codes from your lock key. If not, don’t worry; there’s still a chance your lock can be rekeyed using a trickier technique.

Creating The Key Impression Using The Lock: If you don’t have access to the key codes, a more direct method than cutting a key to the key code is to make an impression of the lock from the inside to make the key. Since the key is made by using imprints of the lock taken from the inside, the procedure is more speedy. As a result, most locksmiths favor this strategy over others.

A locksmith can create a key without having to decode the lock by taking impressions of the lock. The impressions of the lock from the inside are produced on the blank key by turning it after inserting it into the lock. Where the key needs to be cut, the pins’ pressure against the key leaves marks.

The process is carried out several times to determine the precise marks and confirm that the key is cut properly. After a few failed attempts, the locksmith will finally create a key that fits your lock.

In case the locksmith does not have access to the keycodes and is unable to make the impression of the key, they may dissemble the lock to crack the code. Read one of my past articles to learn more about cutting a duplicate key for a Schlage lock without the original key.

What To Do If Your Schlage Lock Key Is Lost?

If your Schlage lock key is lost, it is unsafe to use a key of the same codes to lock or unlock the lock as it can cause a safety threat to your home and your loved ones. Hence, it is wise to rekey your Schlage lock in such circumstances. 

Rekeying a lock means changing the working key of the lock without replacing the lock itself. In other words, rekeying means keeping the same lock with a new key so that the old key will no longer operate. Rekeying is done by dissembling the lock and replacing some of the internal parts like pins and tumblers.

However, Schlage locks are difficult to rekey without a key because they were designed to be challenging.  A locksmith might easily do the task of rekeying a Schlage lock without the original key, but they might charge a lot because of the skill and equipment involved. However, if you’re trying to rekey your Schlage lock on your own, I have done a full-blown article on the topic if you wish to refer.

How To Open A Schlage Keypad Lock Without Key?

If you have been ignoring the issue of your Schlage lock blinking red and are locked out of your home with Schlage lock dead batteries and no key, you will have to try the jump-start hack to unlock your door lock. You will require a 9V alkaline battery for the same. 

Here’s how you can open a dead Schlage lock without a key.

• Step 1: Locate the contact points below the bolt throw. They are usually placed below the touch screen.
• Step 2: Place a 9V alkaline battery at the located contact points. Ensure that the points are matched correctly. Continue the contact of the battery into the lock contact points until you hear three beeps and a red and a green light flash.
• Step 3: After powering the Schlage lock, enter the primary user code or the guest user code to unlock the lock. 
• Step 4: Rotate the thumb turn or turn-lock to open the Schlage lock completely. It is noteworthy that the lock will remain unlocked until you replace its batteries.
• Step 5: Replace the batteries of your lock. You will require a Phillips-head screwdriver to carry out the process. Follow the steps given in the article about Schlage smart lock battery replacement to change the batteries of your lock.

The above hack works only in the cases when your Schlage lock is dead because of low or dead batties. In case there is some issue with the lock due to which it is not lighting up to unlock, you will have to use any of the manual methods given above to unlock your Schlage keypad lock without the original key.

FAQs

Q1. What should I do if I cannot find the key cut number while rekeying?

Answer – If the key cut number cannot be located or you are rekeying using a duplicate key rather than the original, you should use a key gauge to determine the proper pin height.

Q2. Is it possible to cut the key of any lock without the original key?

Answer – No, it is not possible to cut the keys of all the locks as some locks have a specific security feature that deters cracking the code to make a duplicate key using the lock. In such a case, it is nearly impossible to cut a key without having the original key, and the only option in case of losing the keys is to replace the lock.

Q3. Is picking your own locks considered legal in the US?

Answer – You are automatically “permitted” to open your locks in any way because you are the legitimate owner. Since you can’t trespass or break into your own property or legally rented accommodations, picking the lock on your home is likewise legal.

Conclusion

There are several techniques you may use to open a Schlage lock if you ever find yourself in that circumstance. Hopefully, one of these approaches given in the article will work for you and make it simple and quick for you to enter your house or place of business.

If you are looking for how to unlock the Schlage lock without a key and found the article valuable, please leave me a comment in the comment box. If you have any queries regarding home security, I am happy to help!