Door Won’t Latch? How to Fix It in 15 Minutes

When a door won’t latch, the latch bolt is usually missing the hole in the strike plate by a little bit. It’s often caused by loose hinges or the house settling.

In this guide

1. Step 1: Tighten the hinges
2. Step 2: Find where the latch hits
3. Step 3: Adjust the strike plate
4. Door won’t stay shut (rattles)?
5. Latch sticks or doesn’t retract

Step 1: Tighten the hinges

Sagging doors are the most common cause.

1. Tighten every hinge screw on the door and the frame.
2. If a screw just spins, replace one screw in the top hinge (on the frame side) with a 3-inch wood screw. It reaches the wall framing and pulls the door back up.
3. Or pack the stripped hole with wooden toothpicks dipped in wood glue, break them off flush, and re-drive the screw.

Test the door. This often solves the problem.

Step 2: Find where the latch hits

Rub lipstick, chalk, or a dry-erase marker on the latch bolt. Close the door gently and turn the knob. The mark on the strike plate shows exactly where the latch is hitting.

Step 3: Adjust the strike plate

• Off by ⅛ inch or less: remove the strike plate and file the inside edge of the opening with a metal file. Reinstall it.
• Off by more: remove the strike plate, deepen the mortise (the recess in the frame) with a chisel in the direction needed, and screw the plate into the new position. Fill the old screw holes with wood filler or glued toothpicks.

Door won’t stay shut (rattles)?

Many strike plates have a small tab you can bend slightly toward the door stop with a screwdriver. This makes the door close more snugly.

Latch sticks or doesn’t retract

Spray a dry graphite or silicone lubricant into the latch mechanism and work the knob a few times. If the knob or lever is worn out, replacement sets are inexpensive and install with a screwdriver.