How to Fix a Door That Won't Latch

D•oors are the silent workhorses of a home, but when they stop clicking shut, they become a constant source of low-grade annoyance. A door that won't latch usually isn't broken; it's simply out of alignment due to settling house foundations, loose hinge screws, or humidity changes that cause wood to swell or shrink. Fixing this is a diagnostic game rather than a construction project. By checking the gap between the door and frame and verifying that the latch bolt hits the center of the strike plate, you can usually solve the problem with nothing more than a screwdriver and a few minutes of patience. Done well, the door will swing shut with a clean, satisfying click every single time.

1. Start with the hinges. Open the door and inspect the screws on both the door and the frame sides of the hinges. If any are loose, tighten them firmly with a screwdriver to see if that pulls the door back into alignment.
2. Pinpoint the misalignment. Close the door slowly and observe where the latch bolt hits the strike plate. If it hits the top or bottom of the hole rather than the center, your door is sagging or shifted.
3. Realign the strike plate. If the latch is missing the hole slightly, loosen the two screws on the strike plate. Shift the plate up or down as needed to match the position of the latch bolt, then tighten the screws.
4. Fine-tune with filing. If the latch bolt is still binding against the metal edge of the strike plate, use a round metal file to enlarge the opening slightly. Only remove a small amount of metal at a time, testing the door after every few strokes.
5. Stop the rattle. If the door rattles when closed, the latch bolt isn't sitting deep enough. Use a flathead screwdriver or pliers to gently bend the small metal tab inside the strike plate hole slightly inward.
6. Lubricate for longevity. Apply a dry graphite lubricant or a silicone spray to the latch mechanism and the strike plate. This ensures the hardware operates smoothly and prevents future binding.