Doorknobs are one of the most recognizable pieces of lock hardware, and when they don’t work correctly, it can become impossible to open or close a door. In this brief blog entry, the lock experts at SOS Locksmith will provide some details and solutions to common issues that show up with doorknob operation.
Doorknob that Turns but Won’t Open
Doorknobs – as well as handles – work with spring loaded latches. By turning the knob, the latch is refracted through the compression of a spring. When the lock is resting, the spring is extended out, and when the doorknob is locked, the handle can’t turn, preventing the latch from being able to retract. When doorknobs turn but won’t open, the issue is due to the handle not working with the latch spring. The remedies vary, but they all require getting the door open and figuring out what part of the connections aren’t working properly. First, take the knob off the door. Take off the handles, including the through spindle. Then, utilize a screwdriver to twist within the space that the through spindle is placed inside – see if that works to retract the handle. If it does, then the issue is that the handles are not properly attached to the through spindle. OR, the problem could be with the spindle itself, the handles, or whatever pressure is keeping them touching. See if any of these separate parts are worn out, and if they aren’t, make sure that the handle is attached to the door with enough force that turning it moves the spindle. If the latch does not retract, there’s something wrong with the latch housing, the spring, or another small part. You might want to, in this case, simple keep your door knobs and just replace the entire latch housing.
Stuck Doorknob Lock Button
Many doorknobs work with push button locks, but the majority of them are attached to interior doors. Usually this issue has a simple solution. First, try pushing the lock button. Push it and hold it in. Release it quickly – try sliding your finger off the button so the pressure is stable until the moment you release it.) Does that solve the issue? If not, press the lock button rapidly like that on an arcade video game. If the door knob lock button is still stuck, turn the handle while messing with the way you press the button. Then, jiggle the handle fast – but without too much pressure. See if that works. If the door lock button is stuck OUT, instead of in, jiggling the handle and moving the door is likely to fix it. If the lock button can’t get unstuck through jiggling and the door is locked, see if you can work with the knob’s set screws or twist off rose – try removing the latch and knob off the door itself, cleaning them, and then reattaching them and seeing if that provides a solution. This situation usually happens if the lock has been rusted up, and it’s likely that it won’t need to be completely replaced.
