2004 Honda Civic won't lock from the outside?

I can lock my doors when I'm inside the car but if the door is open and I press the lock button only my passenger door will lock. When my driver door is shut and I try to manually lock it from the outside the key won't move at all. If anyone can give me some tips on what is wrong or how to fix it, that'd be awesome! Trying to save time and money from going to a locksmith.

Hondas will not lock with the door open. For example my Neon will lock, I press the lock button, doors lock, shut the drivers door. But since the door lock is near the door handle it can be easily locked accidentally. Happened to me once, luckily the drivers side window was half down, and once to someone borrowing the car. So that is normal, and I don't think related to the key issue.

Recent purchase? Did it work, now does not? Does key work in trunk or other door? If previous owner lost keys, often times the replace ignition key with junkyard part, but do not replace the door or trunk locks. And they get a new key fob and get it programed, so can only use key fob to lock and unlock car.
If that is situation you might be able re-pin the lock to match your key.
You will most likely have to take the door panel off to take the lock out.

Or lock could be stuck. Spray a little WD40 in the lock, let soak for a minute. Firmly, but not force key around. If does not work, take tennis shoe and firmly rap lock a few times, might loosen it up. Try again. If not working then is not matching lock or might be broken.
If lock can be re-pinned, buy a used lock, re-pin to your key.

And last thing… To lock the drivers side door while open, pull interior door handle, press lock button, try electric and then manual lock button.

Squirt in some WD40 into the key lock as it is moving metal parts and they dry out. Just a spit aught to do ya. Then use the key to lock the door as that is the way the door locks. So you never lock yourself out of your car as you need the keys to lock it.

There are only two things:

1- The driver door lock cylinder need to be replace due to the tumblers worn out. WD-40 may work but it's temporarily a patch job. Soon or later the lock's tumblers wear out more and you can't turn the key anymore.

2- How long do you own the car? Was there any chance the ignition lock/key has been replace and the locksmith did not re-keyed the replaced ignition lock cylinder so the old keys can be used for the whole car? Try to use the same key on the passenger door.

Can you lock/Unlock the passenger door? If not then the ignition lock has been replaced and was not re-keyed to fit the doors lock cylinders. The solution is simple: Re-keying, any locksmith can do it.

Now, how many keys do you have? If there's more than one, try the other keys and see if it lock/unlock the driver's door. If so then the first key you have used is for the ignition lock only. If you want to fix the problem: Re-key the ignition lock so all of the keys can be used or one key fits all.

Edit: Plenty videos will show you how to remove any lock and re-key it. They're available on youtube or on the Net. This is one of them to show you how to:

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