Try the combination a few times. Sometimes you might put it in wrong without realizing it. Confirm that you have the right number before doing anything else. If you do it slowly, you can be sure that you put in the right combination.
Sometimes this is enough for the door to come unstuck, but not always. If your locker is pretty full, for instance, you probably need to deal with something pushing against the lock.
The locker door may still not open. If it doesn’t come open after you shake it, stop trying to force it open. You don’t need to end up with a doorless locker.
If the locker still won’t budge, try pounding on it like you’re knocking on a friend’s door. You could also give it a swift kick if no one’s looking, but be gentle. The locker isn’t a punching bag and hitting it as hard as you can won’t help. The last thing you need when dealing with a stuck locker is having someone jump out into the hallway and tell you you’re responsible for the damage. Lockers are frustrating sometimes, but resist the temptation to haul back and kick yours!
Keep your knee on the locker the entire time until you’re ready to open it. Once you lift the latch, you can put your foot back on the ground.
You could ask one of your friends to knock on the locker as you attempt to pull it. With your combined force, you could break through almost any jam!
Before looking for the janitor, go to your classroom and tell your teacher. Let them take care of it so you don’t get in trouble for being late. Who knows, you might get to share a book with that friend you wanted to talk to in class!
A lot of school lockers are old, so they don’t work as well as you want them to. Any weight that presses against the lock could cause it to jam, so don’t let anything tumble onto it. Locker organizers are a great way to keep your locker neat. Office supply stores often sell shelves that slide into your locker. Also, try hanging shelves and baskets.
Check your broken key before working on the lock. If you only have the head of the key left, you probably managed to turn the lock a little bit. Use a screwdriver to turn the lock back to its starting position so it releases the key. Try using a penetrating oil like WD-40. Keep the keyhole greased so the thing blocking it slides out as easily as possible.
Powdered graphite is available at most hardware stores. It comes in a tube so you can easily squeeze it or spray it onto the lock. If you’re in a pinch, try a silicone-based lubricant like WD-40. It isn’t the worst thing to try, but it can gum up the lock if you use it often.
Heat sources are good for melting the ice and preventing it from reforming. Since you probably can’t move the locker, your options are limited. If you can find a place to plug in something like a hairdryer, point it at the lock and heat it for 2 or 3 minutes. You could also try blowing on the lock. Your hot breath helps melt the ice, but this can take a while. Use a tube like a toilet paper roll to direct your breath onto the lock, then blow for 3 to 5 minutes.
Lockers often get stuck when something hits the locking mechanism, such as a big package stuffed into a tiny space. Sometimes this takes the pressure off of the lock so you can open the door.
For example, if you’re trying to open a package delivery locker, go to the front office or contact whoever gave you the locker key. Look for a sticker with a customer service number or go onto the post office’s website to find it.
Call the business responsible for maintaining the locker if you don’t own it. Don’t attempt to take it apart on your own. Many jams are from items inside overstuffed lockers bumping up against the locking mechanism. All you have to do in this case is clean out the locker to prevent it from jamming again. If it jams repeatedly even after you try everything, you might need to get a new one.
