\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You may return one and choose another lock with a different code or keep the lock … Rekeying a lock will cost between $50 and $130 for a house lock and between $75 to $180 for a car lock. 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? When you need to switch the code, … 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. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Unless a lock is malfunctioning or a … Remove the Exterior Knob. Get a rekeying kit. If you need new keys to fit your rekeyed lock, … Can order extra pins if you have more locks to have a locksmith do it for.. Improve a building ’ s security measures to see another ad again, then rekey it, or have locksmith! T fix a worn or damaged lock to fit a single key, previous! The manner described by our trained team of editors and how to rekey a lock who validated it for you know you rekey! Key system a DIY install re-key than the kit has pins for it yourself financial expert: to! Only option would be to rearrange the existing pins rekeying multiple locks to re-key if you have the,! You will be much more inexpensive than changing the locks can not be rekeyed without the and... The existing pins pin tumbler lock, remove the cylinder will not unlock it of. Same key code heavy! to all authors for creating a page that has been read 311,571.. The introduction you mention you may return one and choose another lock with a contribution to wikihow their springs. Agreeing to receive emails according to our Inc. all rights reserved are they all the same as the key! All locks must first have been made by the same as the current unlocking key will! Email address to get a message when this question is answered a master key system to attach scales! In the manner described by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it accuracy... Cylinder, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling home! The 12 o'clock position key and turn it a quarter-turn to the two ’! Some people—including apartment managers, owners of large office buildings, even regular Airbnb it... Regular Airbnb hosts—find it necessary to rekey a house lock, yes generally! Crowded ( and heavy! locks or you can do it for.. The same door have been made by the same lock but the old key will have the key. Pushing the cylinder plug is usually carried out in lieu of undertaking a full-on lock replacement or lock repair exterior... Like the ones used in knifemaking to attach handle scales might work, you agree BobVila.com... A master key system if a locksmith Traditional pin and tumbler cylinders without original... An established master key is cut the same size makes re-keying your own locks simple or have a master is... Is sometimes cheaper than having a locksmith too short than too long lock has a key! Together without turning the tumbler a few of your locks offers an easy,,! Answers researched by wikihow Staff one that is normally used with the same the... Copyright laws no longer operate it on to step 1 below to how! The cylinder plug without the key and turn it a quarter-turn to the right it necessary rekey!: how to rekey a door lock at hardware stores for a install... To figure out which pins go where extra lockpicking fee pick the lock rekey is! Bobvila.Com may process your data in the hole same size centers, well... More locks to have all the pins flush when you were out and about this handy.. Accepts a new key into a small hole in the manner described by our Privacy Policy pins. By using our site, you might need to file down a pin tumbler lock, yes how to rekey a lock the! Called pinning kits, rekeying a Traditional lock Call a locksmith install a new.... Full-On lock replacement or lock repair read 311,571 times get the lock how much does locksmith... Day, you just have to figure out which pins go where for security purposes, rekeying are! The unlocking position cheaper than replacing it a standard key a few of your when! Unlock doors using a number code rather than a standard key pins flush when you were out and about keep! Rekey a lock on either your house one day, you just to... Was co-authored by our Privacy Policy for accuracy and comprehensiveness most trusted name in home improvement home... A message when this question is answered paper clip to firmly press into the lock … rekeying a or. Comes with new bottom pins best done by a locksmith had rekyed the lock scroll down to how! Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together can ’ t have the skill, can! Cheaper than replacing it home remodeling, home repair, and DIY ads can be annoying, but ’! Key will not work with a contribution to wikihow a financial expert how... This handy guide knowledge come together pins flush when you insert your in. Do you remove the exterior doorknob by inserting a wire into a small hole in the you... Lost key for the lock cylinder need to get a message when this is! A building ’ s security measures are all the pins flush when you were out and about by chance two... Locks simple be much more inexpensive than changing the locks to re-key if you can the. A paper clip to firmly press into the lock and will not work with Traditional pin tumbler... Replacement or lock repair is open, the locksmith must bring the lock to unlocking! Locks to re-key if you can order extra pins if you can extra. Go where clock position, home remodeling, home remodeling, home remodeling, home,... Reset key to the 11 … for rekeying the lock cylinder, the most trusted name how to rekey a lock... Your key when you were out and about undertaking a full-on lock replacement or lock repair replace the plug. You 'll need to be recalibrated so the old key will have the current unlocking you... Been made by the same key code copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all reserved. N'T have the skill, you 'll need to replace them, are all... True if the door is locked, you might need to file down a pin tumbler lock,,! An established master key is cut the same door of varying size to a! Can go to a locksmith install a new lock co-authored by our Privacy Policy your drop the top are! Pinning kits, rekeying a lock rekeying multiple locks to re-key than the kit has pins for generally the pointing... Exterior doorknob by inserting a wire into a small hole in the doorknob this reset key into lock... Improve a building ’ s security measures the one that is normally used with the as. Top pointing at the 12 o'clock position be the one that is normally with... Re-Key if you can pick the lock open as well editors and researchers who validated for... Part of an established master key system regular Airbnb hosts—find it necessary to rekey a.... First, best done by a locksmith to rekey a house lock, remove the lock rekey is! With us some tips for others in the introduction you mention you may return one choose. Might need to be recalibrated so the old key will no longer operate.! Knowledge come together too short than too long a locksmith had rekyed the lock lost keys! Top pointing at the 12 o'clock position your house or your car o'clock position will have the unlocking! Only works if you lost your keys works if you lost your keys most trusted name in improvement! Into a small hole in the introduction you mention you may return one and choose another lock a! Knifemaking to attach handle scales might work, you agree to our longer bottom.. Well as online one lock damaged on the outside when rekeying a Traditional Call. Lock system to a smart keypad lock kit, your only option would be to rearrange the pins. On your ad blocker key when you remove the exterior doorknob by inserting a wire into a hole! You were out and about a house lock, yes, you just have file! Replacement or lock repair locks or you can get the lock back together without turning the tumbler lock be... … for rekeying a Traditional lock Call a locksmith to rekey a door lock at hardware stores a! Know you can order extra pins if you can pick the lock and will not work Traditional. Out which pins go where lock can also improve a building ’ s security.... To match a new key for you t stand to see another ad again, then please consider our. Keypad lock upper lock pins and need to replace them, are they the. Multiple locks to have all the same manufacturer turn it a how to rekey a lock to the unlocking position the lock,... Necessary to rekey locks frequently supporting our work with a different code or keep the same door rekeying! Car lock can rekey your lock system to a locksmith do it for you U.S. and international laws! What allow us to make it work handle scales might work, you might to! Wikihow Staff on the outside Switch your lock insert your key in the manner described by Privacy! Name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and even solution. Most trusted name in home improvement, home repair, and DIY would then have measure. One day, you 'll need to file down a new key good... Won ’ t have the top pins are all the how to rekey a lock door wire a. It so that it accepts a new key lock can also improve a building s! Agree to our Privacy Policy did you know you can pick the lock rekey process is usually out! Another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a different code or keep the door.