How to Install a Door Lock Yourself Easy DIY Door Knob & Deadbolt Replacement for Beginners!, by Handymanal on YouTube. 14 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Measure the backset: the distance from the door edge to the center of the knob hole. It is usually 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches. Buy a lock set with the same backset.
Open the door and remove the screws from the inside knob or rose. Pull both halves of the knob apart and slide the knob out of the door.
Unscrew the latch plate on the door edge and pull out the latch. Then remove the deadbolt screws and slide the deadbolt out.
Check the new latch against the old one. If the faceplate is a different size, mark the outline and chisel the mortise slightly deeper so it sits flush.
Insert the new latch into the edge hole with the curved side facing the door closing direction. Screw the faceplate down snugly.
Fit the outside knob half through the door, then the inside half. Line up the screw holes and tighten the screws evenly, not fully tight at first.
Install the deadbolt the same way: slide the bolt into the edge hole, then join the inside and outside halves and tighten the screws.
Turn the knob and deadbolt by hand to check they move freely. Close the door and see where the bolt hits the frame.
Mark the strike plate position on the frame, chisel the recess if needed, and screw the strike plate in place. Use 3 inch screws so they reach the wall stud.
Test the lock several times from both sides. The bolt should slide in without force and the key should turn smoothly.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the door open while you work so you never lock yourself out with a half-installed lock.
If the screw holes are stripped, fill them with wood filler or glue in wooden matchsticks and let them dry before reusing.
Do not overtighten the screws, as this can bind the knob and make it stiff to turn.
Keep one key inside a safe place and give a spare to a trusted neighbor in case of a lockout.
Questions
Do I need to chisel the door for a new lock?
Only if the new latch or strike plate is a different size than the old one. Many replacements fit the existing cutouts, so check the fit before cutting.
Can I replace just the deadbolt and keep the knob?
Yes. The two are separate parts and can be swapped independently as long as the hole sizes match your new hardware.
When should I call a locksmith?
Call one if the door frame is damaged, the holes are badly misaligned, or you need a high-security lock keyed to your existing keys.
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.
