How Do I Fix a Door That Won't Close or Latch?
Topics
- Door
- Sticking
- Hinge
- Latch
- Repair
Answer
A door that won't close or latch properly is usually caused by one of four things: seasonal wood swelling, hinge problems, a shifted door frame, or a misaligned strike plate. Each has a different fix.
Diagnose first
Close the door slowly and watch where it binds or fails to latch. Mark the binding point with a pencil. Does the latch bolt hit the strike plate above or below center? Does the door rub the top, bottom, or sides of the frame?
Seasonal swelling (most common cause)
Wood doors absorb humidity and swell in summer, then shrink in winter. If the door closed fine last fall and now it doesn't: seasonal swelling is likely. Options:
1. Wait — it may resolve when humidity drops
2. Sand or plane the binding edge (requires removing the door)
3. Seal the door edges with paint or varnish — bare wood absorbs moisture faster
Hinge problems
Loose hinge screws are the most common cause of a dropped or twisted door. Tighten every screw. If screws won't tighten (holes are stripped): remove the screws, fill the holes with wooden toothpicks and wood glue, let dry, then drive the screws back in.
If hinges are tight but the door still drops: check if the hinge leaves are recessed too deeply into the mortise. A too-deep mortise causes the door to twist inward at the hinge side. Solution: remove the hinge, place thin cardboard shims behind it to reposition.
Misaligned strike plate
If the latch bolt hits the strike plate above or below the hole, move the strike plate. Using a metal file, enlarge the strike plate hole in the direction needed — just ⅛ to ¼ inch is usually enough. Or, chisel the mortise slightly and reposition the plate.
Shifted frame (the serious one)
If the door frame itself has moved (common in older homes as they settle), all the above fixes are temporary. The frame must be shimmed back to plumb, or the door must be rehung in the new frame position.
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