How do I fix a door that won't latch?

Question

My door won't latch and it is because the strike plate is too low. How do I move the strike plate up?

Answer 1

Take the screws out, remove the plate, and dig the hole bigger (I usually use my pocket knife). Push a wooden matchstick, or tooth pick to fill the old holes, place the plate back on and screw it in.

Answer 2

Well, I see you are getting plenty of instructions on how to move the strike plate up... but I want to point out something...
When the door was hung... the plate should have lined up with the latch. I will assume that at one time, it did. This means that something has shifted, or moved, and what I would suggest that you do, is check the door for square before messing with that strike plate.

Look along the top edge of the door... is it an even gap all the way across? (Im betting its not.... that the gap gets wider as you get farther away from the hinge side). The door may even be dragging on the carpet or floor at this point. Look at the gap down the knob side of the door... is the gap between the door and jamb even?, or does it widen or narrow at any point? If the door drags, hits the jamb at any point, or has an uneven gap(s) then it needs to be adjusted....squared up... and in doing that, it is most likely that the latch will be moved back in line with the strike plate.

Here is how to look at it -- stand on the side of the doorway, where the door would swing towards you when you open it... close the door.
With the gap above the door opposite the hinge side, then the door needs to be reset, moving the jamb so that the bottom hinge moves towards the door opening, and/or the top hinge needs to move toward the wall stud. Doing this, will cause the door itself to lift, on the knob side, and square up the frame, re-aligning the latch and strike plate.

Typically, ONLY the center screw on a hinge, in a pre-hung door goes all the way thru the jamb, and into the stud behind.
If you remove the trim face from one side of the door, at the hinge, then it is easy to access the shims, and to reset the door.

With practice, and a brad nailer, hehehe... you can get to where you can adjust an interior door (or exterior, for that matter) very quickly.

Have Fun

Answer 3

If you already know it is not latching 'cause the plate is too low, then there is no major science involved here.
1. Remove the screws and take the plate off.
2. Fill in the hole with wood putty(so you're not left with a hole).
3. Align the hole with the door latch and mark the wall at the top and the bottom of the strike plate on the wall where the plate must be to sit aligned.

4. Install the plate where you marked it on the wall when the door was partway closed.
Dig out the center so the latch can enter the hole of the strike plate.

Note: you may have to chissle/dig out the wall between the two marks about 1/8 inch prior to putting the plate on the wall - so it sits flush with the wall.

Answer 4

the wrangler is on the right track but not the whole way there. he didn't explain how to fix the problem. What you need to do is remove the hinge screws from the jamb side of the door (only the bottom and the middle). cut a few pieces of cardboard the same shape as the hinge. Insert the cardboard between the hinge and the jamb. My experience is 4 pieces of cardboard (the type of cardboard you get with tv dinners) in the lower hinge and 2 in the center hinge will not only correct the alignment with the strike plate but will also correct the gapes around the rest of the door. You may need more or less cardboard depending on how far off it is but usually assume the door shut right at 1 time the amount I said is us ally enough. good luck

Answer 5

There is no "perfect" answer to this. I too just did this on one of the apartments I own. For me, I took the door off, and all the hardware. I filled in the old hole in the door jam with wood and wood filler. Let all that settle for 48 hours. Then I recut the holes and put not just a new, bigger (longer) strike plate, but also a metal catch (some are just a metal frame to the strike plate, but you can get one that is actually a metal box inside the strike plate whole for catching the latch). None of this stuff is too expensive. If it is an outside door, I recommend that 2nd option, as it is more secure.

Answer 6

Unscrew it or at least loosen it enough that you can push it up a little. if that doesn't get it, then you will have to get a wood chisel and cut the groove that holds the plate a little higher. Most likely, you'll have to fill the old screw holes with plastic wood and let it dry. Once you determine the proper position of the plate, predrill the new screw holes, and reinstall the plate. You will need to fill in the space below the plate, and repaint or finish the repair. good luck.

Answer 7

I've had this same problem what I did was modified my strike plate. If you have room it will be easy to do with a file or some kind of dremel tool.don't take too much off or it will weaken the plate.