How to Rekey a Deadbolt Lock: Secure Your Home
Published Date: Dec 3, 2025
If you’ve moved into a new place or handed out a few spare keys over the years, it’s normal to wonder who might still have access to your home. The good news is, you don’t always need to buy brand-new locks to feel safer. By learning how to rekey a deadbolt lock, you can keep your existing hardware and simply change the internal pins so old keys no longer work. This process, called rekeying, is usually more budget-friendly than replacing every lock. In this guide, Sure Lock & Key breaks down the steps so you can decide whether to tackle the job yourself or call in a professional.
How to Rekey a Deadbolt Lock: The Pin and Tumbler Method
For most traditional deadbolts — including Schlage, Defiant, and Baldwin — you need to disassemble the lock and change the internal pins. This process is called the “pin and tumbler” method. It takes a bit more precision than quick-change systems, but it’s the standard setup for many residential locks.
Preparation
Before you start, think of this as your “Step 0.” Gather a screwdriver, a clean workspace, and a brand-specific lock-rekey kit (for example, a Schlage kit for Schlage locks). A typical kit includes new pins, keys, a plug follower, and a cylinder removal tool.
Once you have everything ready, follow the next steps.
Step 1. Remove the deadbolt from the door
Use a screwdriver to take off the interior screws and pull the deadbolt assembly out. Set the screws aside so you don’t lose them.
Step 2. Access the cylinder
Disassemble the outer housing to reach the lock cylinder. If you’re wondering “What is a cylinder lock?” it’s the central tube where the key slides in and turns the mechanism. If you’re learning how to rekey a Schlage deadbolt lock, you may need to unscrew the end cap or remove a C-clip (a small C-shaped retaining clip) on the back of the cylinder housing.
Step 3. Push out the cylinder plug
Use a plug follower (a tool that keeps the internal springs and pins from popping out) to push the plug out of the cylinder. This tool keeps the upper springs and driver pins in place while you remove the plug. If you skip it, the springs can pop out and make reassembly much harder.
Step 4. Remove the old pins
Turn the plug over your workspace and dump out the old bottom pins so the plug is empty.
Step 5. Insert the new key
Slide your new key into the empty plug. This key will become the “master” key for the rekeyed lock.
Step 6. Install the new bottom pins
Use the pins from your kit to match the cuts on the new key. Whether you’re figuring out how to rekey a Defiant deadbolt lock or working on a Weiser model, the goal is the same: the new pins should sit perfectly flush with the top of the plug when the key is inserted.
Step 7. Reassemble the cylinder
Carefully slide the plug back into the housing, using the follower tool to guide it and keep the upper pins in place.
Step 8. Secure and reinstall the lock
Reattach the C-clip or end cap to hold the cylinder together, then reinstall the deadbolt on the door with the screws you set aside.
Locksmith Rekey Solution: When to Call a Pro
While DIY kits are handy, they can only take you so far. A locksmith rekey service is often the better choice when you don’t have the original key, because you can’t easily remove the cylinder plug without it. In those frustration-filled moments, homeowners sometimes start searching “how to drill out a deadbolt lock”, but a professional can usually pick or shim the lock and rekey it without damaging your hardware.
Consider a professional if:
You lack the current key
: Learning how to rekey a deadbolt lock without a key is extremely tough for most DIYers and usually requires specialized picking tools that locksmiths already use every day.You have a complex system
: A single-cylinder vs. a double-cylinder configuration may require different disassembly steps and safety considerations, especially if you’re not familiar with fire code and local requirements.You want a master key system
: If you need one key to open several different doors — like a home lock service for landlords or short-term rentals — precise pin configurations matter. A locksmith can design the system so it works the way you expect.Hardware diversity
: When you’re changing locks on new house doors that use different hardware (for example, trying to figure out how to rekey a Defiant deadbolt lock on the back door and how to rekey a Baldwin deadbolt lock on the front), a professional can often key them alike if the keyways are compatible.
In these situations, bringing in Sure Lock & Key saves time, cuts down on trial-and-error, and helps you end up with a secure, easy-to-use system instead of a pile of extra parts on the table.
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Rekeying Your Deadbolt: DIY Confidence or Pro Help?
Rekeying puts you back in control of your space without replacing every lock on the door. Once you understand how to rekey a deadbolt, you can decide whether a DIY route with a Home Depot rekey locks kit from the store fits your comfort level or if it makes more sense to call in a professional. Either way, the goal is simple: know exactly who has a working key to your home.
If the steps feel like more than you want to take on, or your hardware is older and worn, Sure Lock & Key is ready to help. A licensed locksmith for homes can rekey your deadbolts, check that everything works smoothly, and give you extra peace of mind every time you lock the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do a Schlage deadbolt rekey on my own?
If you’re comfortable with basic tools and following instructions, a Schlage deadbolt rekey is doable as a DIY project. Most guides on how to rekey a deadbolt lock Schlage walk you through removing the cylinder, changing the pins, and testing the new key step by step. If you’re unsure at any point, it’s safer to stop and call a locksmith.
Can I rekey a Schlage lock to a Kwikset key?
No. You cannot learn to rekey a lock to match the existing key if the brands have different keyways. Schlage and Kwikset use different groove patterns and are not compatible.
What is the difference between rekeying and replacing a lock?
Replacing involves installing entirely new hardware. Rekeying only changes the internal rekey door lock cylinder pins so the old key stops working, which is faster and cheaper.
Is it possible to learn how to rekey a Kwikset lock without a key?
Technically, yes, but it’s not simple. Most DIY guides on rekeying a Kwikset lock without a key still assume you can pick the lock or use special tools to turn the plug. If you don’t already have picking experience, it’s usually smarter to let a pro handle that part and then finish the Kwikset deadbolt rekey for you.
Is rekeying really a good security upgrade for deadbolts, or should I just buy new locks?
For most homeowners, rekeying is a very practical deadbolt security upgrade. You keep the hardware you already like, but change the internal pins so old keys no longer work. It’s a smart move if you’ve given out spare keys in the past, are on a budget, or want everything to work on one key without replacing every lock in the house.