How to Fix a Door That Won’t Latch
- Inspect
- Gather Tools
- Tighten Hinges
- Shim the Hinges
- Sand the Jambs
- Enlarge the Strike Plate Hole
- Move the Strike Plate
How to Fix a Door That Won’t Latch
With a few basic tools and a bit of patience, you can solve this common door problem yourself, saving you the time and hassle of calling a professional.1. Inspect
Because there are several common reasons for a door not latching properly, the first step is to inspect your door and see if you can locate where the problem is. It may be helpful to check out our Parts of a Door article to familiarize yourself with common door terms. This will give you a better understanding of what you need to do as you follow our repair instructions.2. Gather Tools
The following is a general list of tools and materials that cover everything you need for each step of the door repair process. Chances are, you won’t need all of these materials, but you can continue to reference this list as you try to figure out the issue.- Lipstick (or something to mark your latch bolt)
- Masking tape
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- 2 ¼ or 3-inch long screws
- Cardboard (or something similar for shimming)
- Curved metal file
- Wood chisel
- Hammer
- Cordless drill (or Dremel)
- Drill bit set (or Dremel carbide cutter)
- Protective eyewear
- Wood filler
- Paint