Door Won't Latch? Check the Strike Plate Before Replacing Anything
A door that swings open or needs a hard push to latch is usually not a broken lock. Most of the time the latch and the strike plate have simply drifted out of line.
Look for the rub mark
Close the door slowly and watch where the latch meets the strike. Scuff marks above or below the opening tell you which way the door has shifted. Houses settle and hinges loosen, so this is common.
Tighten the hinges first
Loose hinge screws let the door sag. Tightening them, or replacing one top screw with a longer screw that reaches the framing, often fixes the problem on its own.
Adjust or move the strike
If the latch is only slightly off, filing the strike opening a little can be enough. Bigger gaps mean the strike plate needs to be moved. If the lock itself feels gritty or the latch sticks, a door lock repair is the better fix.
When to replace
Worn latches and cracked strikes are worth replacing, and it is a good time to upgrade to a solid deadbolt. Choice City Locksmith handles door and lock repairs in Fort Collins, Loveland and nearby towns.
Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.
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