When a door latch won t catch it s because the latch doesn t align with the hole in the strike plate.
Door latch to striker alignment.
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Need to drill a new hole really close to the original one.
Have a door out of alignment due to settling.
If they don t line up the lock won t work properly.
Check where the latch on the door hits the strike plate on the frame.
When your door doesn t latch the problem may not be with the latch itself.
When you close the door the lipstick transfers to show if the latch is hitting the strike plate too high too low or just right.
How to adjust a door that will not latch.
Turn the latch to draw in the bolt close the door and turn the latch again so the bolt hits the strike plate.
If the door still doesn t catch grab a flashlight and study the way the door latch the flexing part operated by the door handle hits the strike plate.
While it is possible it isn t functioning properly or is out of alignment it.
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If not do the lipstick test smear lipstick on the latch and stick masking tape to the strike plate.
If this is not your problem see door repair for all of the door repair topics.
Open the door and look for a telltale kiss on the strike plate.
Sometimes you can clearly see the misalignment.
If the latch won t spring into the strike plate photo 1 observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom.
Unscrew the strike plate from the door jamb clamp it in a vise then file it down to the chalk mark above right.
The family handyman suggests covering the strike plate with masking tape and smearing lipstick on the latch.
Beginning to make sure the door will latch properly.
The strike plate receives the door latch and or deadbolt for your door lock.
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Reinstall the plate and test the dead bolt.
Many problems with doors and hardware can be solved with some adjustment to the door.
The problem of a door not latching is commonly caused by a misaligned strike plate so the first thing you have to do is to check the strike plate first for alignment.
First try tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate.
