Door Won't Latch or Latch Won't Catch
When a door won't latch, the latch bolt and strike plate are misaligned — usually because the door has shifted, the hinges have sagged, or the frame has settled. The fix is almost always free and takes a screwdriver.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Find the misalignment
Close the door slowly and watch where the latch hits the strike plate. If it's hitting high or low, look at the lipstick test: put lipstick or a marker on the latch bolt, then close the door — the mark on the strike plate tells you exactly where it's hitting.
- 2
Tighten the hinges first
Loose hinge screws cause most door sagging. Open the door and tighten every screw on both the door and frame hinges. If screw holes are stripped and won't hold, fill them with toothpicks and wood glue, let dry, then re-drive the screws.
- 3
Adjust the strike plate
If the latch is close to catching (within ⅛ inch), file the strike plate opening slightly with a metal file in the direction needed. For more than ¼ inch of misalignment, remove the strike plate and chisel the mortise to reposition it, then reinstall.
- 4
Try a strike plate with longer screws
Replace the short screws in the hinge and strike plate with 3-inch screws that reach into the stud behind the door frame. This alone fixes many sagging door problems.
- 5
Adjust the door stop (if rubbing)
If the door rubs against the stop molding before the latch catches, tap the stop slightly away from the door with a hammer and wood block on the latch side.
⚠️ Safety Notes
- Don't plane or sand the door edge as a first step — address the cause (hinges, strike plate) before removing material from the door.
When to Call a Pro
If the door frame itself is racked due to foundation movement, the door will continue to mis-latch no matter what adjustments you make — a contractor needs to assess the underlying issue.
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