My Deadbolt Lock Sticks

Cleaning and Lubricating the Lock

• To access the internal components of the lock, you must remove the lock from the door. There are generally four connecting screws that secure the lock to the door. Two screws are located along the edge of the door, and two screws are located on the interior side of the door. Remove the screws from the interior edge of the door first and slide the two cylinder halves away from the door. After removing the remaining screws, the latchbolt will slide out of the door. If the internal components are visibly dirty, clean them with a small brush and a mild detergent. Spray lubricant onto all moving parts and reassemble the lock. Take care not to overtighten the two connecting screws into the edge of the door, which can cause the latchbolt to bind.

Loose Hinges

• If the deadbolt is clean and lubricated and the lock still sticks, you may want to check the door hinges for looseness. If the hinges are loose, the door will sag and the latchbolt will push against the bottom of the strike plate within the doorframe. The challenge here is tightening loose hinge screws while lifting the door. For this reason, you will most likely need an assistant to either lift the door or tighten the screws.

Aligning the Strike Plate and Deadbolt

• With repeated use, the strike plate can sometimes fall out of alignment with the deadbolt. Before aligning these components, ensure that the door hinge screws are tight. Check whether the door is out of square with the door frame by measuring the distance between the top of the interior of the door and the bottom of the door molding above the door. Take this measurement on each end of the top of the door. If the measurement at the hinged side of the door is smaller than the measurement at the opposite end of the door, the door is sagging slightly and causing the alignment problem. To correct a minor alignment problem, file down the bottom edge of the strike plate. To correct a more serious alignment problem, you must remove the door and insert a door shim between one of the door hinges and the door frame. Insert a shim behind the upper hinge to lower the latchbolt, and behind the lower hinge to raise the latchbolt.

Warped Door

• If the deadbolt still sticks, the problem may be with the door rather than with the lock. In high humidity areas, doors can sometimes warp. Doors can also warp if water penetrates the wood. Position a straightedge against the edge of the door that features the deadbolt to determine whether the door is warped. The easiest way to correct the problem is, of course, to buy a new door. However, unless the door is badly warped, you may be able to repair it. Remove the door and position it onto a pair of sawhorses placed on a level surface. To protect the door’s finish, place an old towel or a large cardboard piece over the door. Place heavy weights, such as cinder blocks, over the bowed portion of the door. It may take several days to straighten the door. Check the door every day with a straightedge until the door is straight.