Quick Fixes for Common Door Hardware Problems

With high-quality hardware and correct door installation and maintenance, your doors will last many years. Unfortunately, hardware does eventually break. Whether you’ve just discovered a new problem or the previous owner didn’t care for their doors, you may be able to fix the problem yourself, at least temporarily, without having to hire a professional or purchase new hardware.

Review these common door problems and fixes to see if they solve your issue.

The Door Is Sagging, Squeaking or Rattling

The most common door issues and solutions are usually related to hinges. Hinges bear a lot of weight, and they become loose and dirty with frequent use. When this happens, the door can rattle in its frame while closed, squeak when opened or sag. With sagging comes many other problems, like the door getting stuck, scraping along the floor or not staying closed.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, you should first check the door hinges. Clean them if they’re dirty or rusty, lubricate them properly, and tighten the screws. This should solve most of your problems in a pinch.

The Door Won’t Latch

It can be frustrating when your door won’t stay closed. This is often because the latch is broken or the door’s latch misses the hole in the strike plate on the door frame.

The first step to fix this issue is to observe the latch. If the latch isn’t moving when you push it, you may need to replace it. If it’s working, watch as the door closes to see if the latch is going above or below the strike plate hole. If you can’t see properly, place some masking tape on the strike plate and lipstick or chalk on the latch. Open and close the door to see where the lipstick or chalk left a mark on the tape.

With this knowledge, you can fix the latch issue by:

• Sanding the strike plate hole: When the latch is just slightly missing the strike plate hole, you can use a metal file to make the hole a little bigger.
• Moving the strike plate: If the door still doesn’t latch, it may be that the strike plate is in the wrong position. To fix this, remove the strike plate from the wall and use a chisel to widen the mortise, which is the indent in the wood that allows the plate to sit flush with the frame. Drill new screw holes, reattach the strike plate and fill in any gaps around the plate with wood filler.

The Door Gets Stuck

A stuck door is hard to open and close. There can be a few causes for this, including dirty or loose hinges, loose strike plates or humidity. Try the following quick fixes if your door is stuck:

• Clean the hinges: If your hinges are dirty, clean them and add some lubricant to both the pins and hinges.
• Tighten the hinges: If you notice the door catching near the top of the frame, you should tighten the hinges.
• Fix the strike plate: If the door is catching over the strike plate, try tightening the strike plate screws. If it’s still sticking out, you can take it off and sand the recess to make it deeper.
• Get a dehumidifier: If it’s humid, a dehumidifier may reduce door swelling without making any adjustments.
• Sand the door: If a specific spot on your door gets stuck on the frame, you can try sanding it down a bit. You’ll likely also need to paint or apply a finish to that part to seal it afterward.

The Door Handle Is Drooping

A drooping door handle doesn’t look good and is hard to operate. If your door handle is drooping, you can try these quick fixes to see if they help:

• Loosen the screws: While this seems counter-intuitive, sometimes a handle droops because the spring is too restricted. Try loosening the door handle a bit and see if it works again.
• Clean the mechanisms: Take your handle off and inspect the spring and other components. If there is any dirt, dust or debris, removing it may solve your issue.
• Check the spring: A door handle may droop when the spring wears out or breaks. If this is the case, you’ll need a replacement spring.

If you can’t fix the problem or any components are broken, you can purchase and install a new door handle.

The Doorknob Won’t Turn

If you can’t get a doorknob to turn, it may be stuck. This is a problem as you can’t open the door or lock it properly. If you’re experiencing this issue and need to sort it out fast, you can:

• Give it a wiggle: Grab the doorknob, and gently jiggle it to see if that solves the problem. There may be something in the way that some movement will dislodge.
• Try lubricant: Spray some lubricant into the seams of the doorknob and where it connects to the door. If you see any rust, remove it with a wire brush first.
• Clean the inside: Take the doorknob off and use compressed air and lubricant to clean the inside mechanisms.

The Key Is Jammed

Keys can get stuck inside a lock quite easily, but luckily, it’s fairly simple to fix if you’re gentle and use the correct techniques.

First, you should spray some lubricant into the keyhole. Dust and lint get inside the lock over time, and some lubricant will break it up and help the key slide out. Next, return the key to its original position. Then, hold the base of the lock and try to slide the key out. You may need to wiggle it up and down, but do this gently so it doesn’t break. Some graphite power can also assist in this process if the lubricant isn’t enough.

If the key breaks in the lock while you’re trying to remove it, you can try to use some small pliers to grab the broken part and pull it out. If you can’t reach the broken piece, you’ll need to take the doorknob or handle off and insert a wire from behind to push it out.

Replace Broken and Old Hardware With Premium Hardware

When it’s time to replace your hardware, consider investing in high-quality, durable hardware to reduce issues in the future and improve your door’s appearance. At Premium Hardware, we’ve developed a range of luxury door hardware that can withstand years of repeated use. We also stock some of the best brands in the industry, so no matter what you need, we’ll have the best fit for you.

Browse our commercial and door hardware online, or contact our team of experts if you need help choosing the right product for your application.