How to rekey Kwikset locks in Las Vegas

Rekeying a Kwikset lock means swapping the pins inside the cylinder so your old keys stop working and new ones do. You don't replace the hardware. You change the secret. If you just moved into a new home in Summerlin or handed a spare to a contractor who's no longer around, rekeying is almost always the right call — and it costs far less than a full lock change. Here's exactly how it works, what it takes to do it yourself, and when it makes sense to call a mobile locksmith instead.

Two types of Kwikset locks — and they rekey completely differently

Kwikset makes two distinct lock families. Standard Kwikset cylinders use the KW1 keyway and require a rekey kit, a follower tool, and pin tweezers. Kwikset SmartKey Security® locks — found on the Sedona Lever, the Signature Series deadbolts, and many newer models — use a completely different mechanism. You rekey a SmartKey lock in about 15 seconds with nothing more than the SmartKey learn tool, a working current key, and the new key you want to use. No disassembly. No pins on the table.

Knowing which one you have before you buy a rekey kit saves a wasted trip to the hardware store. Look at the face of the keyhole. SmartKey cylinders have a small circular slot to the left of the keyway — that's where the learn tool inserts. Standard Kwikset cylinders don't have it.

How to rekey a Kwikset SmartKey Security® lock yourself

Kwikset's SmartKey Security® gives you a simple way to rekey the lock without removing it from the door. Here's the process step by step.

• Step 1 — Insert your current working key and turn it 90° clockwise to the 3 o'clock position.
• Step 2 — Insert the SmartKey learn tool into the small round slot on the left side of the cylinder. Push it in firmly until you feel a click. Remove it.
• Step 3 — Remove the current key completely.
• Step 4 — Insert the new key you want to use. Turn it 180° counter-clockwise back to the 12 o'clock position, then return it to 90°.
• Step 5 — Remove the new key. The lock is now rekeyed to that key only.
• Verify — Test the old key first. It should not turn. Then test the new key. It should turn smoothly.

That's it. The entire process takes under a minute once you've done it once. The learn tool ships with most SmartKey locks. If you've lost it, Kwikset sells replacements, and any hardware store that carries Kwikset products will have them.

How to rekey a standard Kwikset cylinder (KW1 keyway)

Standard Kwikset locks — the ones without SmartKey — require the cylinder to come out of the door. You'll need a Kwikset rekey kit (includes plug follower, pinning tray, tweezers, and replacement pin sets), a working current key, and some patience. If you've never handled loose pins before, do this over a white towel. Those springs are small and they move fast.

• Step 1 — Remove the lock from the door. On a deadbolt, unscrew the interior rose and thumb-turn. On a knob or lever, depress the release tab on the shank and pull the knob off.
• Step 2 — Use the current key to turn the cylinder plug slightly, then use the plug follower to push the plug out of the cylinder housing. Keep the follower pressed against the cylinder — the springs and driver pins will try to fall out.
• Step 3 — With the plug removed, drop out the key pins one by one using the current key to push them up from the keyway, or tilt the plug carefully over the pinning tray.
• Step 4 — Consult the pin chart in the rekey kit. Find the depths for your new key using a key gauge or the code on the key blank.
• Step 5 — Load the new key pins into the plug in the correct order. The KW1 keyway uses five pin stacks.
• Step 6 — Reinstall the plug into the housing using the follower. Reassemble the lock. Test with the new key before mounting back on the door.

Here's the part most people don't know: if you load a pin in the wrong stack, the key will feel like it turns but won't retract the bolt fully. That's a partial bind. You'll have to take it apart again. First-timers should expect one do-over.

Kwikset SmartKey vs. standard Kwikset: which is easier to rekey in Spring Valley?

SmartKey Security® locks win on ease. Standard cylinders win on simplicity of parts — there's no proprietary mechanism that can wear out from repeated rekeys. Both are solid choices for a Spring Valley rental property or a home in Centennial Hills.

Why a rekey beats a lock change most of the time

This is a conviction we hold firmly: a rekey beats a lock change most of the time. New keys, same hardware — cheaper and just as secure when the locks themselves are fine. We'll tell you when a change is actually worth it and when it isn't. The cases where you actually need new hardware: the cylinder is visibly damaged, the deadbolt throw is worn and doesn't seat fully, or you're upgrading to a smart lock. If none of those apply, a rekey handles the security problem for a fraction of the price. Learn more about our lock rekeying service for a full breakdown.

When NOT to attempt a DIY rekey — and when to call Rhinox in Las Vegas

Don't hire us if your situation is straightforward: one SmartKey lock, you have the current working key, and you've watched the process once. That's a two-minute job. Buy the learn tool if you lost it and do it yourself.

Do call us if: you've lost all working keys to the lock (you can't rekey a SmartKey without the current key — the cylinder has to come out), you have multiple locks and want them all keyed alike, the cylinder is damaged or the plug binds, or you're a landlord in Paradise or Sunrise Manor turning over a unit and need it done before the new tenant arrives. We roll a truck, handle all of it on-site, and key every lock in the house to one key if that's what you want. Typical residential rekey visit runs under an hour for most homes.

One scenario worth noting: if you have a Kwikset SmartKey lock and the learn tool process isn't working — the old key still turns — stop. Forcing the rekeying process on a worn SmartKey cylinder can jam it. At that point the cylinder needs to come out, and that's a job for someone with the right follower tools. Our 24-hour locksmith line handles this any time of day.

What it costs to have a locksmith rekey Kwikset locks in Las Vegas

We give you a price on the phone before we roll — that's non-negotiable for us. If a locksmith won't quote you on the call, hang up. The "$19 lockout" bait-and-switch is exactly why the trade has a reputation problem, and we want no part of it. Our rekey pricing depends on the number of cylinders, the lock type, and whether you need key copies cut. Call (702) 356-0352 for a quote specific to your address and lock count. You can also check our locksmith pricing page for a general range on residential services.

DIY cost for context: a Kwikset SmartKey rekey costs you nothing if you have the learn tool. A standard Kwikset rekey kit runs roughly $15–$25 at a hardware store. The labor savings are real — but so is the time cost if you've never done it.

Neighborhoods we cover for Kwikset rekeying across the valley

We're dispatched from multiple points across Las Vegas — not routed through a call center. If you're in Summerlin, Henderson, Green Valley, Spring Valley, North Las Vegas, or anywhere along the 215 corridor, we can typically be on-site same day. We've done rekey calls in parking lots off Flamingo, rental properties near Decatur, and new construction in Mountain's Edge where the builder keys were never changed. If you're moving into a new home anywhere in the valley and want those Kwikset cylinders rekeyed before you unpack, that's one of the most common calls we get — and one of the fastest jobs we do. Check our full residential locksmith services page for more.

Call (702) 356-0352. We answer — including after hours.