Why Do Keys Stick in Locks?

Your key has a little dance partner inside the lock called pins. When you turn your key, it pushes these pins up so they line up perfectly. If one pin gets stuck or dirty, the key cannot move freely. Think of it like trying to slide through a crowd where one person is holding their arm out. Over time, tiny bits of metal wear off and pile up like crumbs, making the path narrower. This makes the key feel tight when you try to pull it out. Sometimes the dust gets so thick that the key locks in place completely. You have to wiggle it side to side to break free from its grip.