How to Fix a Dead Bolt That is Out of Alignment

Over time, doors can sag or shrink. When this happens, the deadbolt latch will become misaligned. Misalignment causes the deadbolt to rub the striker plate, or in some cases the deadbolt will not catch at all. The steps required to correct the misalignment will depend on the direction and severity of the offset between the striker plate and the deadbolt. To find a solution to the problem, a careful inspection of the deadbolt is required.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• Steel file
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Chisel
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Open the door. Inspect the striker plate for scuff marks. Scuff marks are a good indication of the alignment problem. If there are no scuff marks, continue to the next step.

2. Close the door. Work the deadbolt with one hand. Look in the crack of the door. Inspect the way that the deadbolt contacts the striker plate.

3. Enlarge the striker plate opening, if the contact between the striker plate opening and the deadbolt is less than 1/8 inch. Skip to Step 5 if the deadbolt contacts the striker plate 1/8 inch or more.

4. Place the file into the striker plate opening.

5. File the plate material on the side of the striker plate that contacts the deadbolt. Close and test the deadbolt. When the deadbolt freely moves in and out of the striker plate, clean the area thoroughly.

6. Loosen and remove the striker plate with the Phillips screwdriver.

7. Enlarge the recessed area (mortise) in the direction that the striker plate needs to move. Place the chisel 1/8 inch beyond the edge of the mortise, with the beveled side of the chisel facing the recessed area. For example, if the striker plate needs to move up, place the chisel 1/8 inch past the top edge of the mortise.

8. Strike the back end of the chisel with the hammer to score the new mortise edge.

9. Place the sharp end of the chisel into the mortise, bevel down, with the sharp edge of the chisel facing the score line.

10. Hit the chisel with the hammer to remove the excess wood from the area between the mortise and the score you created in Step 8.

11. Hold the striker plate in place. Secure the striker plate by inserting the Phillips screws through the striker plate mounting holes, and into the door frame.

12. Close the door and test the function of the deadbolt.

References

• How to Fix Locksets & Doorknobs
• Lowes -Complete Home Improvement and Repair, 2005, Pages 246 and 247