The door suddenly stopped closing - the lock is working, but the door does not lock

The client's name has been changed.

Let's call the client Svetlana. In the morning the door worked fine. In the evening she returned home and noticed something strange: the door was closing, but the latch no longer held it in place as before.

I had to press the door with my hand. Sometimes she would actually move back a little.

“There seems to be a lock, the key works. Why did the door stop closing normally?

The reason may not only be in the lock.

What can change

The problem may be related to:

• latch;
• door handle;
• striker;
• position of the door leaf;
• loops;
• internal lock mechanism.

Even a slight change in the door geometry sometimes causes the latch to no longer fit into the response hole.

How to understand that the problem is not in the key

If with the door open:

• latch moves;
• the handle works;
• the key turns;

but when closing the door does not lock, it is worth checking the coincidence of the lock and the mating part.

Why you shouldn't slam the door harder all the time

Sometimes owners try to compensate for the problem with force. This may:

• damage the latch;
• break the mate;
• worsen the position of the door;
• increase wear on the lock.

If the door used to close easily, but now requires a blow, the reason already exists.

Can adjustment help?

Very often yes. Not every locking problem requires a new lock. Sometimes it's enough:

• adjust the door;
• correct the position of the strike plate;
• tighten up elements;
• replace the damaged latch.