Check the alignment of the deadbolt against the strike on the jamb if the lock is difficult to turn when the door is closed or the door doesn t lock at all.
													
																	Jammed mortice lock back door. 
									
	
		
	
																	The first thing you can try for opening a jammed latch is to slide a plastic card e g. 
																	Letting the components sit fully submerged in a vinegar of about 5 acidity will do the job of separating the gunk from your metal. 
																	When you are trying to figure out how to fix a door lock that is jammed it is necessary to stay patient to avoid causing further damage. 
																	A credit card between the door and the frame where the latch is located. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Squeeze the bottle gently to release a few puffs of powdered graphite into the lock. 
																	The fix in instances with a door latch stuck because it is jammed by rust and other materials it is always best to disassemble the lock and do a bit of cleaning. 
																	Remove the cover or faceplate of your mortise lock or surface mounted rim lock to repair it. 
																	Slide in the card forcefully and play with it a bit while shaking the door a bit too at the same time. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	If you do not have a proper broken key extractor you can use a jigsaw blade or a pair of tweezers. 
																	This will hopefully force back the latch and the door will open. 
																	This illustrates why you shouldn t leave the key in a mortice lock. 
																	Wiggling the door when turning the key did not work. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	This illustrates why you shouldn t leave the key in a mortice lock. 
																	Use a file to widen the hole on the strike or remove the strike with a screwdriver and reposition it on the jamb. 
																	A broken key extractor is one of the easiest ways how to fix a door lock that is jammed in this way to open. 
																	Soak your door lock in kerosene for 24 hours if it isn t attached to a door and has been rusted shut.