Front Door Lock Jammed Shut

Troubleshooting a stuck door latch try to open the door while it is shut.

Front door lock jammed shut. If the door lock gets jammed first you should use graphite based lubricant rather than using wet lubricant. The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned. Thread the screwdriver through the large spindle. Use the screwdriver to push the opposite side of the doorknob from the door and latch.

Use a file to widen the hole on the strike or remove the strike with a screwdriver and reposition it on the jamb. Take the handles knobs off of the door. Make sure the lock is unlocked before you do this. To fix the door knob figure out where the connections have gone awry.

Check the alignment of the deadbolt against the strike on the jamb if the lock is difficult to turn when the door is closed or the door doesn t lock at all. First off you re going to have to take the door handle off. If it is you will have to remove the doorknob assembly remove the hinges and wiggle the entire door out of its frame. Repairs range from making minor latch adjustments to repositioning the door.

Remove the handles including the thru spindle. The mechanics of the lock have broken leaving the top section of the door completely. Soak your door lock in kerosene for 24 hours if it isn t attached to a door and has been rusted shut. Pull the spindle from the center of the latch if applicable.

Wet lubricant tends to gum up the locks. You can slide the key into the lock lightly so that the lubricant can get inside the lock properly. See if this retracts the handle. Door lock doesn t latch properly when a door latch doesn t click into position it usually means the latch and the strike plate are out of alignment.

Make sure that the lock is not frozen shut. Use a tool a flathead screwdriver will work to twist within the gap the thru spindle inserts into. You should start by spraying the lubricant simply on the door key. The knob will not turn to retract the stuck.

The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned. You can do this by using the phillips head screw driver to unscrew both screws on the door handle. Remove the cover or faceplate of your mortise lock or surface mounted rim lock to repair it. Take note of the type of resistance.