How to Fix a Sliding Glass Door

A sliding glass door may lead out onto a deck

Sliding glass doors that are installed in a home typically lead out to a deck or patio. If your sliding glass door begins to stick or not open properly, it will need to be fixed. When a sliding glass door sticks or does not slide properly, the rollers that the door slides on may need to be cleaned and the track lubricated. You can fix a sliding glass door by examining the door and rollers for dirt and debris.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver
• Power drill
• Sawhorses
• Cloth or rag
• Mineral spirits
• Silicone spray
• Wood block
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Find and remove the covers for the roller adjustment screws, located at the bottom of the door, with the flathead screwdriver.

2. Insert the screwdriver into the first hole and turn it counterclockwise. This will retract the roller and lower the door. Repeat this step for the other hole.

3. Find and remove the screws that are used to secure the head stop at the top of the door opening. Use the power drill to remove the screws.

4. Pull the top of the door inward and lift it off of the track. Take the door off and set it on a pair of sawhorses.

5. Pry off the rollers from the bottom of the door with the flathead screwdriver. Clean the rollers with mineral spirits and a cloth or rag.

6. Lubricate the rollers with silicone spray and then insert them back into the bottom of the door. Align the adjustment screw with the access hole and then tap them into place using the hammer with a wood block.

7. Wipe down the top of the door with the cloth or rag and then lubricate the head track with the silicone spray. Repeat this step on the bottom track.

8. Take the door off of the sawhorses. Set the bottom of the door into the track and lift it up. Secure the head stop at the top of the door opening.

9. Slide the door until you are ½ an inch from the side jamb. Insert the screwdriver into the adjustment screws holes and turn clockwise. The door needs to be parallel to the side jamb.

10. Open and close the door to see if it slides on the track without sticking.

Tips & Warnings

• The head stop is the piece of trim that keeps the door from falling out of the door frame.

References

• This Old House: Sliding-Door Tune-up
• This Old House: Sliding Glass Door Doesn't Slide