How to Fix a Door That Won't Latch #doorlatch #handyman #diy #howto, by SimpEasy Fix on YouTube. 1 min 10 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 10 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Close the door slowly and watch the latch bolt as it meets the strike plate. Note whether it hits the plate face, misses the hole, or slides in and pops back out.
Check the gap around the door. If the door sags and rubs near the top corner, tighten the top hinge screws before you touch the latch at all.
If the latch hits the strike plate, loosen the two strike plate screws about a turn, nudge the plate toward the latch side, and retighten.
If the plate sits too far back, remove it, pack the old screw holes with wood filler or glued matchsticks, and refit the plate slightly forward.
If the latch is close but still catches, file the edge of the strike plate opening a little at a time. Test the door after every few strokes.
If the latch barely reaches or the door rattles, slide a thin shim of card or plastic behind the strike plate to bring it forward.
Spray a little silicone or white lithium grease into the latch if the bolt feels stiff or sticks when you press it with your thumb.
If the latch itself is worn or broken, undo the handle screws, pull the old latch out, and fit a new one with the same backset measurement.
Tips and common mistakes
Test the door after every small adjustment, since a shift of one or two millimetres is often enough to fix it.
Do not overtighten strike plate screws, as this can pull the plate out of line or strip the screw holes in the frame.
Shine a torch along the gap at floor level to see exactly where the latch is catching on the plate.
If the strike plate screws keep coming loose, use longer screws that reach the framing stud behind the door frame.
Questions
Why does my door latch and then pop straight back open?
The strike plate hole is slightly out of line or too shallow, so the bolt never fully seats. Move the plate a millimetre or two, or file the hole deeper.
Do I need to replace the whole handle and lock?
No. In most cases you only adjust the strike plate or replace the latch body, which is a cheap part held in by the handle screws.
What if the door has swollen in damp weather and won't latch?
Sand or plane a small amount off the latch edge of the door, or wait for the wood to dry out. Check the alignment again once the season changes.
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.
