Fixing a Door that Won't Latch

Every door will have a time when it will not latch correctly. There may be different reasons why a door will not latch. Damp weather or heat may be warping the door. Ground that has frozen under the door may also cause the door not to close properly. Also, usual wear and tear can contribute to the door not latching properly. There are several ways to fix a door that will not latch.

Step 1- Check Hinges

If the door is not latching properly, the easiest place to start with is with the door hinges. When the hinges are loose the door will travel up and down while it is being opened and closed. If the door is sagging and will not line up with the latch, check the door hinges. Lift the door up to relieve the pressure on the hinges and tighten the screws. If the screws have been stripped, the screws will not tighten in the holes. In theat case, take the hinges from the frame. Drill new holes that are slightly smaller than a wood dowel. Hammer in the dowel and cut off excess. Reinstall the hinges and attach the screws into the dowel.

Step 2- Check the Latch and Strike Plate

When you open the door you will see the latch on the door and the strike plate which is on the door jamb. Check both for loose screws. Tighten any screws that are lose and check the door again. If it latches securely then problem is solved. If not, then there is another problem.

Slide the latch in and out to see if it moves smoothly. If it doesn't, the door knob may be too tight. Loosen the knobs a little to relieve some of the pressure on the door and to free up the latch a little. If the latch is still catching in the door, apply WD-40 or silicone lubricant.

Step 3- Align Strike Plate

If the door still does not latch properly, then it could be that the strike plate is not aligning properly with the latch. Close the door and check to see if  the strike plate is too high or too low. Also check to see that it is aligning left and right. You can fix this problem in three different ways. For small adjustments, use a metal file on the striker plate to open it up a little more for the latch to set properly. You can also place a piece of wood in the strike plate and hammer the wood up or down to move the plate until it alignst.

The last plate repair suggestion is one that you can do easily. Simply unscrew the strike plate and reattach it at a different height--either lower or higher--depending upon how unaligned the plate was.