My Interior Door Doesn't Latch

Hinges

• Hinge issues can sometimes prevent a door from latching. If the hinges are set too deeply or have come loose from the door frame, the door will not latch properly. The hinges should be checked before any other steps are taken; the latch or strike plate may not be misaligned once the hinges are repaired.

Latch

• If the latch has worked properly in the past or has just started to become a problem, it may be due to lack of lubrication. Locks and latches should be sprayed with a petroleum-based lubricator every six months. Paint buildup around the latch or a simply broken latch might also be the culprit.

Strike Plate

• If the strike plate was improperly installed or has otherwise become misaligned with the bolt or bevel, the door will not latch properly. The strike plate may also be set too deeply into the wood, and when the weather changes and the wood swells, the bolt or bevel might not be able to reach it. It can be removed, the hole patched and the plate realigned relatively easily.