Door Won’t Latch—3 Easy Fixes!

Thanks for this video. Mine is the opposite. It opens with the key but it doesn’t hold the open lock position with the key inside so you have to leave the key in the lock and have it turned to open the door handle

Can one use plastic wood instead of superglue on the toothpicks?

What if the misfit is that the strike plate hole is too far 'back' into the door? So the door doesn't quite close because the door latch doesn't quite go far enough "back" to get into the hole

This video is great! Upon inspection, it turns out I actually had the latch backwards and the strike plate wasn't the issue. Whoops!

Thank you so much! I've lived in my new house for two years. I didn't realize that my bedroom door wasn't latching properly until I locked it last night and the door opened even though it was locked! Your first tip was what was needed and it worked!

Watched this video, did some stuff. Ultimately just removed the striker plate all together and fixed my issue. You ain't gonna like it but the hood gonnna love it

Worked great! After watching several videos that lacked detail or more than one option, this one covers everything. Thank you!

Thanks. First technique worked for me.

Great video! Fortunately, the problem got solved at step 2!

Thank you! Solved by #2. :-) Much appreciated.

Thank you for this video. Great information.

Did not have a chisel so
I used an utility knife to shave down the wood for the latch worked wonders thanks for sharing

Please help. What can be done if my issue is that the door is lower than the strike plate hole?

Your advice of using pliers and a hammer to fix the strike plate was genius. Video was straight to the point, has timetags and extremely helpful. Thanks.

Thanks man, now I can walk around my house like the man of the house with my head held high

I get caulking and repainting a painted door. If I have to move the strike plate down how do you repair a fir door

Maybe try adjusting the door, FIRST. Also, wooden matchsticks/small dowel rods work better than toothpicks, which are sharp on the ends.

After watching this, I just fixed three strike plates in my home. Thank you! Now I don't have to wait 6 months for my husband to do it!

Just hit it really hard? Bye. 🤣🤣🤣

this video was a life saver!!

I started with the first step, didn't work. But then I realized... why not use the old strike plate that's already been filed down?? Duh. Good video otherwise.

I did, for the most part, step by step of your instructions and door latches perfectly! Thank you so much for the easy to follow tutorial. I like that idea of using tooth picks to fill the holes.👍🏼

Thanks, that worked!

What if the plunger isn’t going out far enough to catch the plate? It won’t reach. Thx

My strike plate has to go another 0.01mm, but after maximal smacking with a chisel. Door can close, with enough force.

First of all, the door is swinging in the wrong direction. That is against building codes, and won't pass inspection. Richard and James are right. First of all, check the reveal of the door all around. That will tell you what the problem is. If you are having to lower the strike plate that much for the strike to hit it, there is a crack between the top of the door and the jamb big enough to throw a cat through.

Great video! Super helpful tips

Thank you
SO MUCH!

Thank you for the VERY helpful video!
__

Take the strike plate off,chisel a little and move the strike plate down

Thank you. Contractor put door on the porch, won't latch, hole in jamb looks like created by a gerbil, gap all around door, he says the door knob was broken. Replacement doorknob won't catch either, now I see why. Will probably cost nearly 6k to fix all he messed up.

Thank you!! 🙏🏼

Great advice! Solved the problem I had with my kitchen door. The door misaligned for both the handle lock and the top dead bolt!
Thank you!

Thanks for an excellent video!

Had a bathroom door not latching. My wife said...Go ask the Honest Carpenter...So I did. Thanx for an easy fix.

For a very quick temporary fix, on par with #2 fix, simply pull up on the knob when you close the door. This gives you more clearance at the bottom of the latch plate, until the problem gets worse.

Thanks!

First option worked for me man ! thanks so much now i look like such a handy man! liked and subbed:)

I fill the holes with wood putty and let that dry, then drill new holes.

That’s for the video. Realized that the plate was a bit high. Decided your third option was best and it worked like a damn.
Thank you.

Thank you for posting this! I’m getting tired of my cat barging in on me in the bathroom lol

Dylans face on a bottle of Pennzoil transmission fluid! 😂

9 times out of 10 it is the top hinge sagging. Adjust the hinge or replace and most likely will fix the problem.

Thank you so much! I was fiddling with this door forever. Method #1 worked for me!

You have to address why the strike plate was too low....

Handy techniques. If the door frame has settled wether the strike side or the hinge side another option is to pack the hinges on the jamb. The best material I’ve found is pressed cardboard like from a cereal box in 1/4” strips. In your case I would have packed out the bottom hinge closest to the hinge pin or the top one closest to the stop molding. One or two strips at most because you don’t want the door to hit the top jamb. Love your videos keep them coming!

Thank you!!!!!

mine was very worn and the striker was already clearly filed by someone else i filed as close as possible to the screwhole and worked well.

Would Titlebond wood glue work as well with the toothpicks? Curious what would you use if you wanted to fill in the strike plate area on the frame?

Great video 👍