How do you fix an unlatching bedroom door?

Question

My bedroom door hasn't latched all of my life. The level of the door handle is lower than the hole that the handle latches into on the door frame. I've heard that this is an easy problem to fix, but how do you do it? PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

move the hole thingy lower so that it holds the door shut

Answer 2

If you can lower the strike plate, that's the easiest way to fix this.  If you can't, you can use a file to remove some of the material at the bottom of the strike.  If you have a Dremel, this will do the job faster.  Either of these are easier than removing the casing and rehanging the door.  Hope this helps.

Answer 3

put cha a wedge up in there

Answer 4

First, loosen the catch on the door casing where this latch is supposed to fit. If you can lower it, it may work. If it will not move down, remove the three screws from the bottom hinge. Loosen the screws from the center hinge if it has one.  Place some sort of spacers like small washers(or pennies) between the hinge and door casing. Snug up the screws and give a shot. The proper way is to remove the trim from the hinge side of the door and add shims. This is somewhat invasive and the washer method may work.

Answer 5

This happens sometimes when the house settles - the door jamb gets out of alignment.

A handyman can fix this by raising or lowering the jamb where the striker plate is (the place the latch catches.) They sometimes call this "re-hanging" but it's really much simpler than that.

1. remove the top and latch jamb casings (mouldings)

2. cut the side shim nails on the latch-side jamb

3. re-align and re-shim the latch jamb

4. nail the side jamb

5. reinstall the casings

I'm not a pro but I've done this a couple of times and it took me about an hour.

Answer 6

where your door is connecting all you have to do is hammer the pin back into the slot. if it is still uneven maybe its time to get a new door then. if it is squeaky then use wd-40. you can get it at walmart and any home improvement store.

Answer 7

remove hardware that covers the hole on the door frame

(hopefully it's a wooden door)

remark where the hole should be (light pencil on the outside frame)

then enlarge the hole - and put the hardware back on

may have to add some filler for one of the screws

all the best