As time passes, door knobs and locks tend to wear out and have problems. One problem you may notice is that you door latch won’t retract. A lock that does not work can be a big problem, so you will want to fix this immediately. There are a few reasons why a door latch won’t retract, and there are a few ways to fix the problem.
Reasons Why a Door Latch Won’t Retract
One possible problem is that the latch has fallen into the strike hole and gotten stuck. The friction can make the latch unable to retract. If this is the problem, you can try to fix it by closing the door and closing the handle of the knob simultaneously. If that does not work, you can try picking the door up off the ground while turning the lock.
Another possible problem that could cause your door latch to not retract, is that the latch may have completely come off the knob. In order to fix this problem, you will have to completely take the lock off of the door and open it with a screwdriver (flatbed). You will most likely have to get a new latch.
It is also possible that your latch is broken, and there is a mechanical problem with the springs inside of it. If this is the case, you will need a new latch.
Additional Help
If you are unable to determine why your door latch won’t retract, you can contact a locksmith to help you figure out what the problem is and how to fix it. With the help of TalkLocal, you can be on the phone in minutes with up to three high quality locksmiths in your area, who are available to come look at your door latch exactly when you want them to.
