You turn the key and the deadbolt stops halfway. Or the latch will not catch unless you slam the door. A front door that will not lock is one of the most stressful door problems, especially at night. In most cases the lock itself is fine: the door and frame have moved and the bolt no longer lines up with the strike. This guide walks through every common cause, what you can safely check yourself, and what a technician will do. If you need help now, call 866-820-1331.
Quick test: is it the lock or the door?
Open the door and turn the deadbolt with the door open. If the bolt extends and retracts smoothly, the lock is working and the problem is alignment between the door and the frame. If the bolt is stiff or will not move even with the door open, the lock or cylinder itself is the problem.
Cause 1: the door has sagged
Loose hinge screws let the door drop toward the latch side. The bolt then hits the bottom or top of the strike opening instead of entering it. You may also notice the door rubbing at the top corner. Tightening the hinges, or installing long screws that reach the wall framing, lifts the door back into line. See door hinge repair in Toronto.
Cause 2: seasonal movement
Toronto homes move with humidity and temperature. A door that locks easily in summer may bind in winter, or the reverse. Weatherstripping that is too thick can also push the door away from the strike. Small strike adjustments and correct weatherstrip usually solve seasonal binding.
Cause 3: the strike plate is out of position
If the bolt touches the edge of the strike, the strike opening can be enlarged slightly or the strike moved. A reinforced strike with long screws also improves security at the same time.
Cause 4: damaged frame after a break-in attempt
A pry or kick can bend the strike and crack the jamb behind it. The door may still close, but the bolt no longer seats properly. The jamb must be repaired and the strike reinforced. See 24-hour burglary repairs.
Cause 5: worn or dirty lock
Locks wear, especially on busy front doors. Grit and old oil make cylinders stiff. A dry lubricant often helps; if the key still turns hard with the door open, the cylinder or lock should be replaced or rekeyed. See lock change in Toronto and door locks in Toronto.
Cause 6: frozen lock or latch
In winter, moisture inside the lock can freeze. Use a lock de-icer, not hot water. If it happens often, water may be getting into the lock and the door seals should be checked.
Cause 7: multi-point or patio door locks
Some modern entry doors and most patio doors use multi-point or hook locks that engage at several points. These need the door to be perfectly aligned. If the handle will not lift or the hooks will not engage, the door alignment or the gearbox is the issue. See patio door lock change.
What you can safely do yourself
- Tighten the hinge screws on the door and frame
- Lubricate the lock with a dry graphite or PTFE lubricant
- Lift the handle slightly while turning the key to see if alignment is the issue
- Check that weatherstripping is not pushing the door outward
When to call a technician
- The door will not lock at all and you cannot secure the home
- The frame is cracked or the strike is bent
- The key turns hard even with the door open
- The key broke in the lock
- The problem keeps coming back
Upgrading while you fix it
A better deadbolt
If the lock needs replacing anyway, choose a solid deadbolt with a full one-inch throw and a hardened bolt. Single-cylinder deadbolts, with a thumb-turn inside, let everyone get out quickly in an emergency and are the usual choice for homes.
A reinforced strike and long screws
The strike is where most forced entries succeed. A heavy-duty strike plate fixed with long screws into the wall framing makes the door far harder to kick in, and it also keeps the alignment stable so the lock keeps working.
Smart and keypad locks
Keypad and smart locks remove the risk of lost keys and let you give temporary codes to family or trades. They are only as good as the door they are installed on: alignment still matters, and a motorized bolt will jam or drain its batteries quickly if it has to fight a sagging door. Fix the alignment first, then install the smart lock.
Rekey when you move in
When you buy or rent a home, you do not know how many keys are out there. Rekeying the cylinders is a simple, low-cost way to make old keys useless.
Why fixing alignment protects your lock
Forcing a bolt into a misaligned strike wears the bolt, the cam and the cylinder every time the door is locked. Over months, a perfectly good lock is ruined. Fixing the door alignment early protects the lock and saves the cost of replacing it later.
Repair options
Depending on the cause, the fix may be a hinge adjustment, strike adjustment, new reinforced strike, jamb repair, lock cylinder replacement, or a new deadbolt. If the whole door is warped or damaged, replacing the slab may be the right choice; see door replacement in Toronto and why a door will not close properly.
Lock and door service across the GTA
We fix doors that will not lock across Toronto and the GTA, including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Oakville and Pickering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my deadbolt only lock if I push the door?
The door and strike are out of line. Tightening the hinges or adjusting the strike usually fixes it.
Should I replace the lock if the door will not lock?
Not always. Test the bolt with the door open first. If it moves freely, the lock is fine and alignment is the problem.
Can I use oil on a stiff lock?
Use a dry lubricant instead. Oil attracts dirt and can make the lock worse.
What should I do if my front door will not lock at night?
Secure the door as best you can and call 866-820-1331 for help.
Why does my door lock fine in summer but not in winter?
Seasonal movement of the house and door shifts the alignment. A small strike or hinge adjustment fixes it.
Can you fix a door that will not lock after a break-in?
Yes. The frame is repaired, the strike reinforced and the lock replaced if damaged.