Check to see that the plate on the door frame is actually making contact with the angled part of the latch. It’s possible that due to thermal expansion or contraction of the door or frame, the plate is now striking the latch on the non-angled part causing it not to retract.

How do you fix a door latch that won’t retract?

How to fix a door latch not retracting

  1. Use a hammer. Sometimes, all you need to do to fix a door latch that won’t retract is grab a hammer and hit the latch a couple of times. …
  2. Adjust the spindle. …
  3. Lubricate the door latch. …
  4. Tighten the screws. …
  5. Clean the door lock. …
  6. Realign the strike plate. …
  7. Replace the door lock.





Why does my door latch not spring back?

If your door handle is not springing back correctly it is likely to be one of a few issues; 1 – The fixings have been overtightened causing the lever bearing to bind against the door face, or causing the door to compress the latch mechanism inside the mortice and stop it from operating correctly.

What causes a door latch to stick?

Door Latch Is Sticking



According to Elmer’s Lock & Safe, door latches stick for three main reasons: broken internal mechanisms, being jammed and misaligned strike plates. It may be broken inside if the latch sticks when you try to move the handle, but you can still press on it and make it slide back and forth.

Why does my door latch not close?

Tighten the Hinges First



If you find that the latch contacts the strike plate too high or too low, make sure all the door’s hinge screws are tight. If that doesn’t solve the problem, try this trick: Remove one of the screws on the jamb side of the hinge and drive in a 3-in. screw.

What is a deadlock plunger?





“Deadlocking plunger” (also called “deadlatch plunger” or “deadlock plunger”) is the name of a very important piece of a door lock assembly; it keeps a locked door from being opened with a small screwdriver or credit card.

Why does my door handle not work?

If nothing happens when you turn the knob, it’s usually because the set screw holding the knob to the rod has worked itself loose. If the bolt moves, but not enough to allow the door to open, the mechanism probably needs lubrication.

How do you fix a door latch spring?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Just try and line the holes up right squeeze. Them together awfully a circle comes. Off. Sometimes you need about ten hands to doing and you Springs they're simply replace a spring.

How do you fix a cylinder lock on a door?

How to Fix a Loose Door Lock Cylinder

  1. Remove the Lock Faceplate. To fix the loose door lock cylinder, you need access to the set screws holding the cylinder in the lock. …
  2. Disassemble the Lock to View the Placement of the Screws. …
  3. Tighten the Set Screws.



Why does my door bounce back?

Is one of your doors springing open all the time? That usually means the hinges are set too deeply into the door or frame, and the door is straining against them. Or it could be that the door isn’t closing properly against the doorstop (the thin strip of wood nailed on to the frame).

How do you fix a ghosting door?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Okay in some cases once you got it up a little ways it becomes difficult to pull it all the way out because as you're hitting it sideways with the hammer. And screwdriver.

How do you fix a door that bounces back?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: On an interior door the stop molding is nailed into place. So it's easily movable.

What is a binding door?

A door that is difficult to close, and tends to spring open, is said to be hinge-bound. The problem is usually caused by hinge recesses cut too deep in either the door edge or in the frame. Generally, when correctly fitted, the hinge flaps should be flush with the surface of the wood.

How do I know if my door is binding?

Look for binding on the wall on the hinge side. If there are marks on the wall from paint or varnish, the hinged end of the door is binding.

How do you fix a door hinge bound?

To rectify this you will need to:

  1. Remove the door from the frame.
  2. Unscrew the screws from the problem hinge.
  3. Carefully deepen the mortise with chisel and hammer. First cut the perimeter edges of the mortise. …
  4. Once metal is flush with the wood surface smooth off the mortise and screw in the hinge.
  5. Reattach door to frame.



How do you fix a door hinge binding?

If the door binds on the hinge side the hinges may be too deep. If the door binds on the knob side the hinges are too shallow. Resetting the hinges can correct those problems. Hinges that are too deep can be corrected with shims between the hinge leaf and the mortise, the recess in the wood for the hinge leaf.

Why is my interior door binding?

Hinges may bind because the screws have been put in askew or because their heads are too large to fit flush in the countersinks in the hinge flaps. Remove the offending screws and replace them with screws with smaller heads. If they will not tighten, pack out the holes with matches, toothpicks and wood glue.

How do you shim a hinge bound door?

Using Shims to Fix a Hinge Bind Against Rabbet



Here’s how to fix it: Place a support or wooden wedge under the door to relieve tension. Starting with the top hinge, remove the hinge and add a steel shim between the leaf of the hinge and the door or frame. Repeat this process for each hinge on the unit.