Insert the tip into the latch.
How to fix a stuck front door lock.
Filing the strike 1.
If the gap between the door and jamb is angled then the door isn t square.
You can tighten a simple interior mortise lockset like the one shown at left as follows.
1 loosen the setscrew on the knob s shank.
Start by trying to push the lock button.
In most cases the problem is now fixed.
Ideally the opening of the tube will be small enough to fit inside of the lock.
2 hold the knob on the other side of the door and turn the loose knob clockwise until it fits snugly.
Equip a rotary tool with a carbide tip bit.
Spray the entire mechanism with spray lubricant and wait for at least 10 minutes before you reinstall it.
Place the end of the straw into the opening of the lock where you normally insert your key.
3 if this does not help remove the knob.
The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned.
Open the door wide and put on a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes.
Do not over tighten the screws or you may strip break them.
Adjust the hinges so that the door is straight.
Take note of the type of resistance.
Start by cutting the tube of powdered graphite at an angle and covering the ground under the door with paper towels to catch extra graphite.
Push and hold the button in.
A latch bolt that sticks in the strike often leave tell tale.
If you break off a screw head or strip it use an inexpensive device called a screw extractor to remove it.
Tighten the screws that go into the door and the screws that go into the door frame.
Inspect the strike plate on the edge of the door frame.
Then press the opening of the tube in the lock.
Release the button quickly try sliding your finger off the button so the pressure is maintained up until the precise moment of release with no backing off.
If this works then you can open the door and it s time to replace the dead latch.
Insert the straw into the opening of the lock.
Guide the straw as far in as you can to make sure you re hitting every part of the locking mechanism that might be sticking with the wd 40.
Now go to the hardware store and buy you a new dead latch.
Sometimes the cause of a stuck deadbolt is a misaligned or out of square door.
The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob.
Troubleshooting a stuck door latch.
You may want to spray wd40 or other lubricant on the lock mechanism.
The knob will not turn to retract the stuck door latch.
