How To Fix A Door that Won't Stay Closed | DIY Tip, by Rob Palmer DIY on YouTube. 3 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Close the door slowly and watch where the latch meets the strike plate on the frame. Rub lipstick or pencil on the latch tip, close the door, and look for the mark it leaves on the plate.
Tighten every hinge screw with your screwdriver before you touch the strike plate. Loose top hinges let the door drop, which pulls the latch out of line.
If the top hinge screws spin loose, swap the middle screw for a 3 inch wood screw so it bites into the wall stud behind the frame. Tighten it fully.
If the latch hits the plate and stops, loosen the two strike plate screws and tap the plate a few millimetres toward the door with a hammer. Tighten and test.
If the plate will not move far enough, file the latch hole wider on the side where it rubs. Work slowly and test the door after a few strokes.
Push a door wedge under the door to hold it still, then spray silicone or puff graphite into the latch and work the handle a few times if the latch feels stiff.
Close the door gently and then firmly. The latch should click into the plate with light pressure and stay put when you push the door.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not overtighten strike plate screws, because stripped holes make the plate shift again within days.
Check thick weatherstripping if the door bounces back, since it can push the door away before the latch catches.
A swollen wooden door often frees up on its own once the damp weather passes, so test again before cutting anything.
Wear eye protection when filing or chiselling metal, as small chips fly off.
Questions
Why does my door swing open by itself?
The door is usually not level, so gravity pulls it. Tighten or shim the hinges first, then check that the latch sits fully inside the strike plate hole.
Should I move the strike plate or the hinges?
Try the hinges first, because a sagging door is the most common cause. Move or file the strike plate only when the latch clearly hits it off centre.
Can I do this without a chisel?
Yes. A metal file on the strike plate or a small plate adjustment with the screws usually fixes it. Only reach for a chisel if the plate needs to sit deeper in the frame.
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.
