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How to Disable a Door Lock? – 5 Easy & Simple Methods

Fact checked by Teddy B.Miller

how to disable a door lock

An interior door lock ensures the security you deserve when you are inside the room or your home. It will also give you the privacy you need, away from the disturbance and the eyes of other people.

However, there might be times when you can lose your keys to your door lock handle or the locking mechanism inside your lock doesn’t work anymore. This means that your security is already compromised and you might get accidentally locked out.

Fret not, I will show you how to disable a door lock with these simple and easy steps.

Step-by-Step to disable a door lock

Depending on the reason why you want to disable door knob lock, there are multiple ways to do it permanently or temporarily. Here are some options that you can choose from to disable the door lock:

</p> <h3><strong>Method 1: Disable a door lock with a tape</strong></h3> <p>

Temporarily disable a door lock with just using a piece of tape. Since tapes are not easily budged and are very adhesive, they are great for temporary use.

To keep a door from locking with tape, follow these steps:

  1. Unlock the door.
  2. Locate the small knob on your door.
  3. Place a piece of tape on the knob that is used to lock or unlock the door.
  4. Take the handle off the door to expose the locking mechanism.
  5. Glue the locking mechanism.
  6. Reinstall the handle.

Congratulations! You just learned how to unlock auto lock door knob with just tape and glue!

</p> <h3><strong>Method 2: Disable a door lock with a cable tie.</strong></h3> <p>

disable-door-knob-lock

If you don’t want others to notice that you tampered with your lock, you might want to go with using a cable tie. To secretly keep a door from locking, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the door knob from the door. Locate the metal shaft. The metal shaft should be below the metal rod of the door knob.
  2. Place the cable tie. Circle the table tie around the shaft to disable it from turning.
  3. Snip off the cable tie’s end. This will make sure that the knob still fits the door after reinstalling.
  4. Reinstall the door knob. Test the door knob to see if the disabling worked by locking and unlocking the door.

Refer to this tutorial video for details: 

</p> <h3><strong>Method 3: Disable a door lock with a lock-kill</strong></h3> <p>

A lock-kill is a blank-like key that is inserted inside the door lock to permanently disable a door lock. If there is a lock-kill that is stuck inside the door lock, the keyway can no longer be accessed with a key, rendering the door lock useless.

To use a lock-kill to disable bedroom door lock, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the appropriate lock-kill.

door-knob-automatic-lock

There are different types of lock-kill for different types and brands of lock, so make sure to identify your lock type before going to the hardware store.

A lock-kill resembles a key with a cut design that can catch and break the lock pins, rendering the lock useless.

Step 2: Insert the lock-kill key

remove-a-locked-door-knob-from-the-outside

To disable lock, this lock-kill key must go all the way inside the keyway in order for it to work. Otherwise, it can be easily removed from your lock.

Step 3: Use force to break the lock-kill.

inside-of-a-door-knob-lock

You should locate the thin indention near the key’s handle. Then, use a force to break the key at the indention while making sure the lock-kill is still flushed inside the keyway.

You now have disabled the lock from the outside. The only way to remove the lock-kill inside the keyway is to hire a locksmith.

However, we do not recommend using this method for rental places as it will break the lock.

Related:

</p> <h3><strong>Method 4: Disable a door lock by modifying the door knob.</strong></h3> <p>

The working mechanism inside of a door knob lock enables the door lock to be put in a locked and unlocked position. To disable the door lock, you can modify the working mechanism inside the lock.

What to prepare:

  • A screwdriver
  • A pin
  • A flashlight
  • A hacksaw or a rotary tool

To remove locking mechanism door knob, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the door knob.

door-knob-locked-from-inside

To remove a locked door knob from the outside, find the screws that fasten the door knob. With your screwdriver, unscrew the fittings and keep the screws for reinstallation.

If the door knob is fastened with hidden screws, find a hole on the door knob. Insert a pin inside the hole to disengage the door knob.

Step 2: Locate the metal rod.

remove-lock-from-door-knob

After you have removed the door knob, you can see a metal rod is attached to a square shaft on the knob. This rod is responsible for connecting the exterior knob to the interior knob.

Step 3: Cut off the end of the rod

Get a hacksaw or a rotary tool and remove lock from door knob by cutting off the end that is protruding from the square shaft. In this way, the rod will no longer be connected to the exterior knob.

Step 4: Reinstall the door knob.

Gather the screws you removed and reinstall the broken door knob. You have to twist door lock to know if the locking mechanism doesn’t work by opening and closing the door.

Now you know how to disable the door knob locked from inside. Share this tip with your friends!

</p> <h3><strong>Method 5: Disable a door lock switch.</strong></h3> <p>

remove-locking-mechanism-door-knob

Door lock switches are usually installed in car doors to automate locking and unlocking. To disable a door lock switch, follow these steps:

  1. Remove the cover. The door lock switch should have a faceplate that can be pried open by a screwdriver.
  2. Disconnect the wires. Depending on the brand and model of your car, the wires might vary inside the switch. Disconnect it by pulling or cutting it.
  3. Place the cover back. With your screwdriver, fasten the cover of the switch.
  4. Test the switch. Switch lock and unlock while opening and closing the door to see if the switch still works.

Conclusion

Getting locked out inside your room or your house is the last thing you want to happen. The door knob automatic lock or a broken lock might become an inconvenience in the long run.

Knowing how to disable a door lock should help you make your room or home free from inconvenience. A worry-free life will lead to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

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