Needless to say, you should make sure to use controlled motions and not destroy the door handle or knob completely. Of course, you want your door open for this step, so you can easily locate the door latch. 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. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the solutions. Other issues we’ve mentioned, on the other hand, are relatively easy to take care of, especially if you’ve identified the problem successfully. If you feel like you’re not experienced enough to do it yourself, leave the work to a professional.īigger underlying issues, such as an unstable home foundation, are something you have no/little control over, and this will require a complete inspection of your home and a consultation with a professional. However, in the majority of cases, you will be able to take care of this problem on your own. How to fix a door latch not retractingĭepending on the severity of the issue, fixing your door latch may require more or less expertise. In case the problem occurs multiple times a year even after you’ve readjusted the door latch and the strike plate hole, the problem lies in the foundation of your home, which is a much bigger issue than everything we’ve mentioned so far. Moisture penetrating into the wood and inflating it is a probable root cause, as well. However, it could be that the strike hole plate or the door latch haven’t been installed properly, which definitely requires the process to be repeated.Īnother potential issue could be that the very foundation of your house isn’t properly balanced, which can cause misalignment in all elements of your home, including the door latch. Sometimes, this misalignment can occur as a consequence of some damage or friction. Simply put, you’ll notice a misalignment between the strike plate hole and the door latch which is supposed to fit into it. If the strike plate is misaligned, you’ll notice that the door latch is blocked only when the door is closed and you’re trying to open it. If the metal pieces are struggling to properly function, it could cause friction and seriously damage the internal elements. What’s more, this kind of buildup can cause other kinds of problems, as well. This kind of blockage will is usually the reason the door latch doesn’t go in all the way. The reason behind this problem is usually a buildup of some kind of material, whether it be dust, rust, or accumulation of any other kind of particles. While some people may associate this problem with a faulty door knob, it isn’t the case. In this case, the door latch won’t work properly when you turn the handle and apply some pressure on the latch. If your latch is jammed, it will be easy to recognize this issue. What’s more, there could also be an issue inside the door lock itself.Īlso, if you notice that the door latch is lacking stability and it is easily sliding in and out instead of retracting automatically, it is quite probable that something in the mechanism is seriously damaged or broken. It could be a damaged or broken element causing a problem, such as a spindle.Ī faulty or broken spindle, or a damaged spindle hole, will result in difficulty when closing the door, and there will be a lack of connection between the door latch and the handle. Sometimes the door latch won’t retract completely if there is an issue inside the internal mechanism of the door latch. Here’s what could be the reason behind your door latch not springing back. Regardless of the type of door latch you have and the complexity of its mechanism, there are some common causes that prevent the door latch from working properly, and the door from shutting completely. In case you’re experiencing any of the mentioned problems, it is quite probable that the issue is in the door latch and you may need to repair or replace it. Sometimes the door latch won’t extend before rotating the knob, or you’ll find it hard to even turn the knob or the handle. It may also be harder to turn the knob, or you may need to pull/wiggle the door handle/knob in order to release the latch. In case the door latch won’t retract unless the knob is turned, or it won’t retract even when you turn the knob, the latch is the issue. The best test you can perform on your door is attempting to open your closed door and detect the type of resistance you feel when doing this. Before we list these potential causes, let’s go over some troubleshooting tips that could help. If your door latch won’t retract fully, there’s a couple of potential reasons, and it is of utmost importance to detect the issue before proceeding to any repairing process.
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