- 1). Straighten a paper clip so that it is 3 inches long, and push it straight into the doorknob hole until you feel it meet resistance. Continue to press until you feel the resistance yield slightly. Have your hand on the doorknob so that you can open the door as soon as the lock is released. This technique may require some practice and works only on doorknobs with small holes.
- 2). Insert a credit card into the crack between the door and the doorjamb, where the locking mechanism is located. Slide the edge of the credit card up to the visible section of the lock and try to work the locking pin over toward the door. This will require some practice, and it may be helpful to practice with the door open, or with someone on the other side of the door to open it for you. Once mastered, this is a useful skill.
- 3). Remove the entire doorknob assembly, using a screwdriver if necessary. When all other lock-opening methods have failed, the last resort is to remove the doorknob. Some doorknobs do not have screws on the outside of the door, but many do, particularly indoor knobs for bathrooms where security is not a priority. Unscrew all the screws and wiggle the doorknob until the entire mechanism detaches. You may need to unscrew some parts of the doorknob within the mechanism as well.
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