How to Quickly Fix or Replace a Broken Door Latch, by The Crypto Mine on YouTube. 2 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open the door and watch the latch bolt as you turn the knob. If it does not slide in and spring back, the latch or the knob mechanism is the problem.
Take off the doorknob. Remove the screws on the inside trim plate, then pull both halves of the knob off the door. Some models hide a small set screw under a cover ring.
Unscrew the two screws that hold the latch faceplate on the edge of the door. Pull the latch straight out of the hole.
Inspect the latch for a broken spring, a bent bolt, packed dirt or worn metal. Clean out debris and test the bolt by hand before you buy a replacement.
If the latch is damaged, take it to the hardware store and match the backset, which is 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches, plus the faceplate shape.
Slide the new latch into the door edge with the curved bevel facing the direction the door closes. Screw the faceplate back down.
Refit the doorknob halves and tighten the screws evenly. Turn the knob to check the bolt moves freely and returns on its own.
Close the door and check the bolt enters the strike plate. If it hits the frame, loosen the strike plate screws and nudge it until the latch drops in.
Tips and common mistakes
If the door still will not latch, check the hinges for loose screws before you change the latch again.
Do not force a stuck knob, because you can snap the spindle or strip the screw holes.
Use graphite or silicone spray on the latch, not thick oil that collects dust.
Keep the old screws in a cup so they do not get lost on the floor.
Questions
Why does my door close but not latch?
The latch bolt is often misaligned with the strike plate or the door has sagged. Check the strike plate position and tighten the hinge screws first.
Do I need to replace the whole doorknob?
Usually no. The latch is a separate part held by two screws, so you can replace just the latch if the knob still turns smoothly.
How do I know which latch size to buy?
Measure the backset from the door edge to the centre of the knob hole. It is normally 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches.
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.
