How To Fix A Nonlatching Door The Right Way, by Detroit DIY on YouTube. 13 min 34 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 34 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Close the door slowly and watch where the latch tongue meets the strike plate. Note whether the latch sits lower or higher than the opening in the strike.
Open the door and check every hinge screw with a screwdriver. Tighten any loose screw, and if a screw spins without gripping, swap it for a longer screw of the same gauge.
Pick the shim position. If the latch is lower than the strike opening, shim the bottom and center hinges. If it is higher, shim the top and center hinges.
Buy hinge shims sized for your hinges, either 3.5 inch or 4 inch. They are sold at hardware stores and online.
Loosen the hinge screws on the jamb side of the hinge you are shimming, just enough to slide a shim behind the hinge leaf.
Slide the shim behind the hinge leaf and press it flat against the jamb. Tighten the screws evenly, working from the middle outward.
Close the door and test the latch. If it still misses the strike, add another shim or move to the next hinge.
When the latch drops into the strike opening, tighten all hinge screws fully. Open and close the door a few times to check it catches every time.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not bend the hinges or pack cardboard behind them. Use proper hinge shims so the door stays square.
Loose screws are the most common cause, so check them before you shim anything.
Keep fingers clear of the hinge gap while you test the door, since a moving door can pinch.
If the jamb itself has shifted from repeated slamming, shims alone may not fix the latch.
Questions
How do I know which hinge to shim?
Look at the latch and strike plate. If the latch sits below the strike opening, shim the bottom and center hinges. If it sits above, shim the top and center hinges.
Can I use cardboard instead of hinge shims?
No. Cardboard compresses and the door will sag again. Use shims made for 3.5 inch or 4 inch hinges.
What if a hinge screw will not tighten?
Replace it with a longer screw of the same gauge. A longer screw grips fresh wood in the jamb and holds the hinge tight.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
