Sticky Door Lock

If it s a matter of friction on the strike plate try to tighten both the plate and the lock on your door.

Sticky door lock.

Fixing a few stubborn locks might involve disassembling cleaning and then reassembling the lock. An improperly functioning latch may be the result of a poorly fitting door. Simulating opening the door without the latch extending into and retracting out of the strike plate. Squirt a little powdered graphite available in squeeze tubes at home improvement and automotive stores in the keyhole of the lock.

Fix and lubricate a sticky lock and key this applies to all locks but especially to motorcycle ignitions gas caps saddlebags and trunks. Ironically by cleaning and oiling them you can fix most locks in a matter of minutes. Most times you ll find that the door sticks along the top because the door is sagging. Often turning these four screws slightly clockwise is enough to eliminate the scuffing.

For serious lock problems it is usually best to call a locksmith or to replace the lock entirely. It doesn t really pay to have interior door knobs or locks professionally repaired unless they are special. I can unlock the door if i try a few times but the key has a difficult time turning as the deadbolt is sticky. The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch.

Fortunately most front door lock problems can be. Many people put up with the aggravation of a sticking door lock for years. How to fix a sticky lock. The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob.

To fix a door lock that doesn t turn easily. Insert the key in the lock and turn it several times to distribute the graphite. This occurs when dust dirt grime and other buildup accumulates on the internal. More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch.

You can even see where the door has scraped against the frame. Most interior door knobs are relatively inexpensive to replace. Once the door is open try to actuate the door latch with the handle. My front door deadbolt lock is hard to unlock and open when i put the key in and turn.

Sticking door locks can be attributed to everything from slight settling of the house to a buildup of dust and dirt within the locking mechanism.