How to Fix a Defective Door Latch

Any number of things can keep a door latch from working properly. A defective door latch may be the result of the door shifting on its hinges. The house may shift and settle which can cause door latches to be defective. Or the latch itself may not be working. Read on to learn how to fix a defective door latch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Petroleum jelly
• Small piece of wood
• Hammer
• File

1. Tighten all the screws on the latch and the strike plate. This is the easiest fix for a defective door latch. If that doesn't solve the problem, move on to Step 2.

2. Examine the door. If it is sagging, prop it up and see if it latches properly. If it does, tighten the hinges. If the hinges are loose, they can cause a door not to latch.

3. Press the latch in and out with your finger. It should move freely and smoothly. The doorknob itself should operate easily. If it doesn't work quite right, consider lubricating it or replacing it.

4. Make sure the strike plate is in the correct position. Put a dab of petroleum jelly on the door latch. Close the door carefully, and then reopen it. You should be able to tell by the placement of the petroleum jelly if the strike plate is in the proper position. If the strike plate is not in proper position, you may need to adjust it.

5. Reposition the strike plate. Place a small piece of wood underneath the bottom of the strike plate. Tap on the wood with a hammer. This should move the strike plate up a tiny little bit and may be enough to fix your defective door latch. If the strike plate needs to go down, place the wood on the top. If that doesn't work you may have to reposition the strike plate.

6. Enlarge the hole of the strike plate. File the hole in the strike plate slightly larger to enable the door to latch.