Q&A for How to Change Door Locks

The process depends on the brand! For Quickset keypads, you typically take the battery cover off the back and press a reset button that allows you to type in a new code. For Schlage keypads, you need to punch in the master "programming" code followed by the Schlage button and the "1" button. From there, you can punch in your new code twice.

Sometimes you can—a lot of commercial-grade hardware just has a cylinder inside. Basically, you put the key in the cylinder and turn it 90 degrees. On the side of the knob, there's a little space for you to stick a pin or paper clip; with the key turned 90 degrees, the knob will pop off once you insert the pin. At that point, you can either rekey the cylinder or replace it with a new one before sliding the knob back where it's supposed to go. All you have to do is turn the key back 90 degrees, and the knob will snap on and be there permanently.

You can try picking the lock. Watch tutorial videos on YouTube.

You can buy door locks from stores like Walmart or Home Depot. Then you can just install them as you would on a regular door.

Follow the instructions for Change a Mortise Lock Cylinder or Change a UPVC Door Lock, depending of which sort of door you have.

For overhead garage doors, there will be a box with a twist knob to lock/unlock the garage door from inside. This will have 3 or 4 screws. Remove these screws and you will see 2 more screws behind that. These 2 screws are the ones holding the lock to your garage door. Replace with a new "rim cylinder" or have the lock rekeyed at a locksmith.