How to fix a door that won't latch

Fix a Door That Won't Latch

41
STEPS
TOOLS

This annoying ass door may look latched, but it isn't. That's not very fun.

This annoying ass door may look latched, but it isn't. That's not very fun.

Assemble your tool(s)!

Assemble your tool(s)!

Proper safety eyewear is a MUST for this task. Your face will be very close to some very fast-moving wood fragments. Bonus points for picking something with a little hipster pizazz.

Proper safety eyewear is a MUST for this task. Your face will be very close to some very fast-moving wood fragments. Bonus points for picking something with a little hipster pizazz.

The culprit. In this case, it wasn't installed correctly and needs to be a little more recessed.

The culprit. In this case, it wasn't installed correctly and needs to be a little more recessed.

Unscrew and remove that pesky strike plate.

Unscrew and remove that pesky strike plate.

Whoops! Looks like the original installer screwed up, and was hiding an extra hole! Anyway, let's remove some material.

Whoops! Looks like the original installer screwed up, and was hiding an extra hole! Anyway, let's remove some material.

Use your sandpaper bit to remove a lot of excess frame material, and the cutter bit (shown here) for detail work. SAFETY NOTICE: your sandpaper bit can easily burn the wood! Keep it cool, yo.

Use your sandpaper bit to remove a lot of excess frame material, and the cutter bit (shown here) for detail work. SAFETY NOTICE: your sandpaper bit can easily burn the wood! Keep it cool, yo.

Once you've removed enough material to get the latch to line up how you like it, screw the plate back in.

Once you've removed enough material to get the latch to line up how you like it, screw the plate back in.

Nice! The door should now latch effortlessly and feel totally secure. The door shouldn't wobble, but if it does (and you don't feel like repositioning the plate) I like to stick on some felt.

Nice! The door should now latch effortlessly and feel totally secure. The door shouldn't wobble, but if it does (and you don't feel like repositioning the plate) I like to stick on some felt.

Boom. This door is closed, son!

Boom. This door is closed, son!

  • Doors that just won't latch
  • Screwdriver or (preferably) power screwdriver
  • Rotary tool (ie Dremel)
  • Coarse sandpaper bit
  • Cutter bit
  • Safety glasses
  • Fire extinguisher (optional)