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DIY: Remove a Locked Doorknob from the Outsidedvslocksmith.com/2021/07/19/remove-locked-doorknob-from-outside

A doorknob lockset is a spherical lock that consists of two knobs on each side of the door.

The knob has a button on one side, which locks and unlocks the door. However, The door

can also be locked or unlocked from the other side by using a key. These knobs are

primarily used for doors inside the house as they lack security compared to other door

locks. The problem occurs when the knob is locked, and you do not have the keys. In this

case, you have two options. You can contact Lockout Service in Norridge. You can

remove a locked doorknob from outside yourself by following the instructions in this

article.

Tools Required to Remove a Locked Doorknob from the Outside

It would be best if you had the following tools before you attempt to remove a locked

doorknob

Phillips Screwdriver

Flathead Screwdriver

Paper Clip or Bobby Pin

Pliers

Remove Doorknobs without Screws

If your doorknob does not have screws, the process can become a little complicated.

Determine the type of knob

Some doorknobs have hidden levers for security. The doorknob with a hidden lever will

either be a thin slot or a pinhole. It is essential to find out the kind of knob you have.

Hold Down the Secret Latch

A doorknob lockset has a secret latch at the base of the knob. Hold down the latch with a

tool. If the latch is a thin slot, use a screwdriver to hold down the latch inside. If the latch

is a pinhole, use something thin like a paperclip or a bobby pin.

Remove the Knob by Pulling

While holding down the latch, start pulling the doorknob. If it does not come loose, twist

it and wiggle it. It will come loose, and you will be able to remove the knobs from both

sides.

Remove a Broken Doorknob

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A broken doorknob can be very frustrating. A doorknob has a spindle inside. When the

knob rotates, it rotates the spindle inside along with it. As a result, the spindle locks and

unlocks the door accordingly. If the knob rotates but the spindle does not move, it means

that the lock is broken. It would help if you fixed the spindle and the latch to fix a broken

doorknob.

Use Pliers to Access the Lever

Firstly, you have to remove the knob as mentioned above. Secondly, grab a plier to hold

the lever. Rotate the lever clockwise to remove the lock. However, it will need some force

as the lock could be jammed to the strike plate.

Use Pliers to Access the Shaft

Use Pliers to hold the shaft where the lever extends. Move it clockwise, and the door will

open. Follow the process of removing the complete lock after this.

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Remove DoorKnobs with Screws

The job will be much easier if you have visible screws on your doorknob.

Use a screwdriver to unscrew all of the visible screws on the doorknob.

After unscrewing, wiggle the knob to check if it has turned loose.

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Pull or wiggle the knob to remove it from the lock after it has turned loose.

Removing the Complete Lock

After removing the knobs, you have to remove the rest of the lock. However, you can

either contact Lock Installation in Norridge or do it yourself by following the

instructions below:

Remove the Faceplate

After removing both knobs, take a flathead screwdriver and wedge it under the rear of the

faceplate. It requires some force if the faceplate is jammed. Wiggle the screwdriver slowly

to loosen the faceplate. Once you know it is loose, you can take it apart with your hands.

Remove the Screws from the Knob

After removing the faceplate, you will notice that there are screws inside your knob. These

screws are the ones that attach the lock to the door. Remove these screws with a

screwdriver. Removal of these screws will result in the lock getting loose. As a result, you

can easily draw out the lock from the door after this.

Remove the Bolt and Strike Plate

The bolt is a piece of metal that extends through the door into the strike plate to lock the

door. It will loosen up itself after removing the other parts. If it doesn’t, take a

screwdriver and unscrew it.

The strike plate is the other part of the lock attached to the opposite side of the lock. It is

used to lock the door with the bolt. It also has two screws and a screwdriver can easily

remove it.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, The issues discussed above are common among doorknobs, especially if

you have old doorknobs. Rust can build up inside the lock, which can cause problems. It is

better to replace the lock if it causes problems frequently. You can either call a

professional locksmith or do it yourself if you have the tools and a little experience. If you

don’t, it is better to call a locksmith to save money by making matters worse.