With a door latch stuck, the ways you can potentially fix the issue does take time and some familiarity with lock mechanics. Remove the knob and latch assembly off the door. holes for the screws. For example: Must be wiggled to unstick the stuck door latch. A cylinder turns when the setscrew(s) meant to hold it in place become loose or broken. Then once the polish has fully coated the lock, be sure to remove the excess polish so that it does not cause the door latch to stick. If you need a pro to fix problems with a high-quality door knob or lockset, removing the hardware and taking it to a locksmith is usually far less expensive than having the locksmith come to you. With a door latch stuck closed you may need to shim the latch so that it retracts enough to open the door. If the mark is too low, raise the latch by tightening the hinges at the top of the door. Slide the latch in and out to see if it moves smoothly, and if not the door knob may be too tight. With a door latch stuck closed and cannot be shimmed because of latch guards or because the components are frozen, you will need to simply take the lock off the door. When you choose to hire a professional locksmith, you are taking out all of the guesswork and hassles from the process of fixing the stuck door latch. Exterior locks can freeze, interior locks get dirty, and small internal parts eventually wear out or break. The door handle is not always the source of your trouble. Turn the knob to retract the latch, close the door, then release the knob so the latch just barely touches the strike plate. The choice comes down to can you do the work yourself or should you hire a professional locksmith. When possible, it’s easiest to file the slot in the strike plate a little bit so that it will receive the latch. Droopy door handles is a fairly common problem but is usually quite easily rectified. (At this point you are servicing the lock, and may decide to. HomeTips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For more than a 1/8-inch misalignment, remove the strike plate and extend the mortise higher or lower as necessary. Often, a malfunctioning latch assembly or lock mechanism causes the problem. Then hold the strike plate in place and drill new 1/16-in. Press down on the door latch itself with your finger, without manipulating the door handle. That should restore the operation of the knob. If the issue is your foundation, then you may want to look into if you need repair, some form of rescuing the foundation, or even just to remove the tree whose roots are pushing up from under the house. It is something that affects all locks given enough time, but after about a day of sitting in the vinegar the locks can be wiped down and polished, which will make them look brand new. Door Knob Is Loose. They’re not expensive and it’s less trouble to replace it than to fix it. Take note of the type of resistance. Locate the hole underneath the doorknob shaft. Use a tool (a flathead screwdriver will work) to twist within the gap the thru spindle inserts into. How To Fix Door Latch That Is Stuck In And Won’t Latch. Then tighten the screw until you feel it … Mortise lockset: Remove the faceplate (if there is one) at the door’s edge and locate the one or two cylinder setscrews. by Don Vandervort, HomeTips © 1997 to 2020, Door Lock Doesn’t Latch ProperlyDoor Knob Is LooseDoor Lock Is Frozen or Works SlowlyEntire Lock Cylinder TurnsDeadbolt Is StuckKey Is Broken Off in Lock. Tighten the hinge screws and then try adjusting the strike plate by loosening its screws and shifting it slightly. 0. Turning the knob or handle retracts the latch, disjointing it from the door frame. As a result of moisture, rust can accumulate inside the lock as well on the latch bolt. You should see a tiny slot or hole. How you fix the problem depends on the design of your doorknob or lever and how it is fastened to the spindle and the door. Shifting the strike plate’s position usually involves mortising the jamb, filling part of the old mortise, and so forth. From there you can either widen the hole both of the wood and metal, or you can unscrew the strike and re-secure it in the proper position. 0. door knob for thick interiour door. *If a “credit card” type of plastic card is too thick to slide in, you could try cutting out a rectangle shape piece out of a plastic bottle (e.g. Slide the doorknob off the spindle, pull out the lock mechanism, and remove the latchbolt from its hole in the edge of the door. Call for free estimates from local pros now:1-866-342-3263amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "widget05-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "auto"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = "2619525011,1055398,2972638011,228013"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "fed726c60c88d738e7784c819bb73fbc"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {"type":"search","value":"door knob"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Don Vandervort writes or edits every article at HomeTips. With the information you have gathered from dealing with the door latch stuck or unstuck in the different scenarios, you should have better insight into what may be going wrong with the lock. The looseness of a door handle can be due to the prolonged use of a particular entryway.Door Maintenance. Set the strike in the new position and mark the screw holes. For example: Fluid movement of the latch when the door is open. When holes are placed too closely together, they can compromise the screw strength as a thin splinter of wood separating two holes makes the strike plate very insecure. To fix door handles that are loose, you may be able to simply tighten the connections that have begun to wane. If this doesn’t work, you may decide to call a professional locksmith to help assist you. Door knob installation direction. Then tighten the screw until you feel it resting against the flat side of the spindle. You can now use your observations to make an informed possible diagnosis on the reason the door latch is stuck. If you are looking to make a permanent fix to this issue, you will still have to make the short term fix, then take additional steps to address the larger issue. When you have it extended, give it a pull and see if it will come out further. An improperly functioning latch may be the result of a poorly fitting door. Step 1 Replacing Your Locks: What Is The Best Choice For Your Home? When locked, the doorknob prevents the latch from retracting. Door knobs may become loose over time. Of course, before applying any polish, you should take the time to dry the lock components. This is because the same strong metal and well-made internal components that make a locks high-security, also make it stand up better against general wear and tear. What is happening on a physical level is that when you are trying to retract or extend the latch into the bored hole of the strike plate, the metal latch is not falling into the hole perfectly. They will let you know your options and the prices of servicing as well as the pitfalls of inaction. You can rest assured that the work will be done right and that they will understand the problem as wholly as possible. Be sure the strike plate is secure and in reasonable alignment with the bolt. Now, take that piece of plastic and try to insert it into the door from the outside directly where the latch is. Featured Resource: Find Local Pre-Screened Locksmiths, NEXT SEE:• How to Repair Keyed Door Locks• How to Replace a Doorknob• Doorknobs Buying Guide• How to Improve Your Front Door Security. Door knobs may become loose over time. You will find huge assortments of entryways and windows that can be produced or so are accessible on the market for prepared settling. Don has:• Over 30 years’ experience as a remodeler and builder.• Written more than 30 home improvement books.• Served as Senior Editor at Home Magazine.• Appeared as a segment host on HGTV’s “The Fix” for 3 seasons.• Been a featured expert on MSN.com, US News, and many others.• Learn more about the trusted HomeTips brand! 1. Aerosol lock de-icer thaws and lubricates a frozen lock. The door latch hits the strike plate: This is caused by a strike cylinder that’s worked loose, or by a loose doorknob. Now, place your cardboard piece on top of the screw holes in the jamb. Insert a stiff wire into the cam slot at the back of the cylinder and push the key out. There can be a door latch stuck open or a door latch stuck closed, but the reasons for each can vary quite a bit. Make sure that you are choosing a reputable company that sends out qualified technicians who understand these types of issues. The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob. If the latch does not catch, close the door slowly to watch how the latch bolt meets the strike plate. You can file the edges of the strike plate a little, and even slightly round the edges of the deadbolt’s end. Replace the case.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'hometips_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',625,'0','0'])); The chances are good that the bolt is having a hard time finding the throat in the strike plate. With the door open, use a Phillips screwdriver to take out the two connecting screws that are located by the doorknob on the inside of the lock. If the latch still will not reach, shim out the door’s hinges. You need to fix your stuck door latch as quickly as possible, but also in a way that will make sure to prevent the problem from reoccurring. You may end up needing to call a professional anyway, You can know all of your options before making any purchases, The issue will be solved as quickly as possible, You will have access to all necessary replacement parts. The reason the strike plate has become misaligned might have something to do with moisture expanding the wood of your door, or perhaps even an issue with the foundation of your home not being secure. Expert advice on how to repair common problems with door knob locks and deadbolts, such as stuck or frozen door locks, latches that don’t latch, and keys broken off in door locks. Only every month or two. He appeared for 3 seasons on HGTV’s “The Fix,” and served as MSN’s home expert for several years. The lock mechanism may not work simply because the lock is dirty or dry and needs to be lubricated with graphite (do not use any type of oil because this will gum-up the works). Push this latch in, and pull the handle off the door. The through spindle could be broken so that actuating the handle is not sending any information to the latch. Door Knob or Door Handle Sticking? Category: How To's, Lock Types, Residential. 2) Hold the knob on the other side of the door, and turn the loose knob clockwise until it fits snugly. More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch. More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch. Lubricating the Lock A little grease may do the trick if your deadbolt is sticking. Is your door handle or door knob sticking or stiff to operate? Besides just wiping down the finish, you may also need to scrub out certain nooks and crannies with a small brush. As an Amazon Associate, HomeTips earns from qualifying purchases which allows us to continue creating helpful DIY content. When you do not understand what you are doing fully, there is a chance of damaging the lock further, so it is important to take your time with each step in the processes. This creates unnecessary friction as the metal bits of the lock attempt to slide past one another or get out of the way of other moving parts. The best way to fix a squeaky door knob is usually the simplest and most obvious: lubricate it. These 2 kinds of doorknob incorporate a different method to keep the knob snug against the door, so different steps need to be f… Methods of tightening them depend upon the type of lockset. When a door latch doesn’t click into position, it usually means the latch and the strike plate are out of alignment. HomeTips articles may contain links to Amazon.com and other partner programs that provide helpful products and services. The first step is to troubleshoot the issue and get a sense of what the symptoms are with the door latch stuck in its position. The last resort is to disassemble the lock to see if something has jammed or is broken—you may be able to set it straight or replace the part without buying a whole new lock. How to Remove a Door Knob Without Screws or a Latch . Sometimes, the doorknob or lever loosens so it spins on its spindle, while other times the lockset's mounting ring and faceplate become loose and pull away from the surface of the door. The knob will not turn to retract the stuck door latch. 3) If this does not help, remove the knob and check the spindle; if the spindle is worn, it must be replaced. Note how the latch moves when it is directly depressed and when pressure is released. If you understand the troubleshooting and servicing requirements that will fix your stuck door latch, then going the “do it yourself route” can be a great approach. There should be a small latch near the base of the knob or handle, probably on the exterior side of the door. For example: The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned. The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob. For serious lock problems, it is usually best to call a locksmith or to replace the lock entirely. 2. You can also ask them questions and use them as a resource to learn more about your locks. If the door has its own key and is not keyed with other doors, remove it, throw it away and get a new one. Methods of tightening them depend upon the type of lockset. Repairs range from making minor latch adjustments to repositioning the door. However, if you are only moving the strike up, down, or to the side slightly, then you may not be able to simply re-screw it into the frame. Exterior latches and locksets, on the other hand, can be very pricey. For more information see our disclosures, Best Home Security Measures—By The Numbers, Cabinet Refacing or Refinishing for Cost Effective Cabinets, Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself When You're Stuck at Home. Replace the faceplate. DIY will always be cheaper than hiring someone to do the work for you. The easiest sign that there is something broken in the lock is when the door latch is stuck only when you attempt to manipulate the handle (both when the door is open and closed), but you can press on the latch and it will slide in and out the way it is intended to. 6 Simple Ways To Get A Broken Key Out Of A Lock, I Locked Myself Out Of My House! Take … The Issue – When there is a part of the lock that has broken, many things could be going wrong with the lock. You can try this step before taking the handle off. Why can I no longer turn the knob of my self-locking door from the inside? Fill the old screw holes with epoxy wood putty and wait for it to harden. With a door latch stuck, your privacy is diminished and your daily routine is unnecessarily complicated. These are not the only possible reasons a door latch is stuck, but they are the most likely to be the issues you are facing. If the door does not open completely, you can try shimming the latch to allow it to retract enough to open the door. A heat gun or a blow dryer to heat the door latch area. If the latch does not reach the strike plate, shim out the plate, or add another strike plate on top of it (remove the screws and run them through both plates). Surface-mounted rim lock: Unscrew and remove the cover, called a “case.” Tighten the cylinder setscrews. Lubricate the inside of the mechanism if the lock still does not function. Tighten the setscrew(s) by turning clockwise—be sure they engage the slot that runs along the edge of the cylinder (the key slot should be perfectly vertical). This is because the chain of interacting parts has broken down. In case a boil appears over the latch plate hole you need to extend the upper section of the hole so as to adapt the latch. The better you can diagnose the issue, the easier it is to replace the broken part of the lock. Many door knob and lockset problems can be corrected before they become so serious that the lockset does not work at all. There could be 2 reasons it's not opening: The latch mechanism itself has worn out or More likely, the rod that connects both knobs through the door also passes through the latch mechanism. Look for any parts that have come loose (it will be obvious, they will fall out). The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch. Most interior door knobs are relatively inexpensive to replace; it doesn’t really pay to have interior door knobs or locks professionally repaired unless they are special. The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch. A deicer spray on the latch using a pipe. As a last resort, remove the door’s hinges and shim them to adjust the door’s position. There are also several little pieces in the lock that may have broken, which can mirror the effects of some of the other possible diagnoses. How Much Does It Cost For Car Key Duplication? This may also be the cheaper solution if your lock is just one of the locks that you can pick up cheap at Home Depot. The best way to mend and anticipate the next problem is to borrow the eyes of a qualified professional. Before you buy a replacement lock, try some quick remedies:eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'hometips_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',633,'0','0'])); Put some graphite into the keyhole, either by squeezing it from a tube or dusting it onto a key, and then operate the lock a few times to work the graphite into the mechanism. Lets assume nothing is loose or broken. The first thing you'll need to do is determine what type of doorknob you have. Below are some of the issues you may be experiencing along with the possible fixes that you can seek to do yourself or with the help of a professional. The cause could be one of several problems. They should be in line with the center of the cylinder. This will loosen deposits on the metal parts that are preventing the key from turning. Quite often, if your door is sagging – it can be very easy to fix. The problem maybe something quite simple such as more lubrication being required or a stronger latch … Check to see that the door striker (the spring-loaded bolt that latches the door) pushes in and springs back easily. Check price on Amazon. With the door latch stuck as a result of rust, the internal components jam as the excess material fills the gaps required for things to move past one another. This gunk and grime can impede the movement of springs as well. How often? There is no difference in how the handle must be manipulated to move the stuck door latch. With the door latch stuck you are not getting the most out of your door, so take the time and solve the issue. Don Vandervort has developed his expertise for more than 30 years, as Building Editor for Sunset Books, Senior Editor at Home Magazine, author of more than 30 home improvement books, and writer of countless magazine articles. It will come in two pieces. The bolt may be positioned above, below, or to one side of the strike plate. If you have a key that won’t work in the lock, please see How to Repair Keyed Door Locks.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'hometips_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',198,'0','0'])); Replacing an old cylindrical door knob with a new one is an easy job when you know how. For less than a 1/8-inch misalignment of the latch bolt and strike plate, file the inside edges of the plate to enlarge the opening. With a door latch stuck, you need to be able to trust that the issue will be solved in a way that diminishes the risk of the problem recurring. Once you have figured out the problem, try one of the methods shown here.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hometips_com-box-4','ezslot_0',601,'0','0'])); If door latch doesn’t align, adjust the position of the strike plate. And if it still doesn't work, it's probably time to go to the store to pickup a new doorknob. Letting the components sit fully submerged in a vinegar of about 5% acidity will do the job of separating the gunk from your metal. (Be aware that there could also be an issue with rust accumulation within a lock cylinder). Try applying WD-40 or a silicone lubricant if the latch is still catching in the door. To fix the door knob figure out where the connections have gone awry: Take the handles/knobs off of the door. A resource for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals. Join us to get great money-saving tips, cool ideas, and valuable advice from home improvement expert Don Vandervort! You can unscrew the door knob and remove both sides, then unscrew the latch and pull it out of the door. In case the rub line is under the hole you need to extend the base of the latch plate hole. What Is a Smart Door Lock—and Do You Need One. If there are aspects of the processes you do not understand, this is a good indication that you should take the time to either educate yourself or move onto hiring a professional. There are generally 2 types of doorknobs that most people will encounter in their homes. Loosen the knobs a little to relieve some of the pressure on the door and to free up the latch a little. This can lead to scrapping that requires excess force to have the latch retract against the friction of metal sliding against metal. Unsubscribe anytime! Rust removal is very common in older homes where you may see many mortise locks. You can rest assured that you have weighed your options and made the best decision for your needs and skill level. If your doorknob turns when unlocked yet doesn’t open the door, it must be an issue with your latch’s spring. This is likely to come along with a door latch stuck in as it cannot extend into the hole it is meant for. Replace the plate, fill the gap at the top or bottom with wood putty, and refinish. You can buy new door locksets online at Amazon. If this is a recent problem your latch assembly has either broken or is sticking. The Issue – With the door latch stuck only when you are attempting to open a closed door, but not when the door is open, you might have a misaligned strike plate. (Simulating opening the door without the latch extending into, and retracting out of, the strike plate). The knob should turn freely. Use needle-nose pliers to extract a broken key. Rekeying vs. A straw to blow warm air in the frozen latch area. 2. If the problem is wood expansion, also known as seasonal affective disorder, you can look into redoing the finish of your door to keep moisture related effects from influencing your door shape. It is also possible the door has shrunk and the latch no longer reaches the strike plate. Of course, if it’s on an exterior door, you’ll want to do this when the weather is nice and when it’s safe to leave the door unlocked. 1. Spray thread lubricant into the keyhole if the deadbolt is difficult to turn when the door is open. Insert your screws (they’ll puncture the cardboard easily) and screw them in. This post may contain affiliate links. Check price on Amazon. You can reach a locksmith through our affiliate partner, HomeAdvisor. If the movement has been slight, there’s a very simple fix for the problem. Essentially rust creates the extreme potential for re-rusting on those same areas. The Issue – A door latch stuck due to a jamming latch will have no real variation between how the latch moves when it is pressed in, or when the handle is turned (both when the door is open and when it is shut). locks that you can pick up cheap at Home Depot. This demonstrates that the latch being stuck is not because of anything failing within the latch bolt. Push the tip of a narrow screwdriver into the hole. Though your security comes more from your deadbolt than from your latch bolt, you will get no security from a stuck door latch. The knob or handle will not turn to retract the stuck door latch. The Fix – The easiest way to fix a broken lock that has a compromised component is by changing locks. Remove the strike plate to paint or finish the patch. Now that the door is open, with the door handle, try to trigger the latch turning the knob and simulate opening or closing the door. If the knob is old, the screw may be stripped or stuck. You can buy door knobs online at Amazon. Step 3 - Align Strike Plate If this doesn’t work, you’ll probably have to remove the strike plate, fill the screw holes with glue and wood matchsticks, reposition it properly, and screw it back in. The most common issue with sticking door handles is a problem with the tubular latch. Use a sharp chisel to enlarge the strike plate mortise. Does such a door knob/handle exist that has the latch bolt installed on the outside of the door? Using pliers, try to grip and pull the key straight out. If your house is an older one, it may be that the problem is a sticky latch, which is one of the easiest latch problems to fix. If you can’t get a grip even with needle-nose pliers, cut off a coping saw blade and, with the teeth pointed outward, insert the blade into the keyway and try to hook and drag the key out. Lock mechanism causes how to fix door knob latch problem the through spindle could be broken so that it retracts enough open. 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