Front Door Deadbolt Not Lining Up

If the screws have been stripped they will not tighten in the holes and you ll need new ones.

Front door deadbolt not lining up.

In that case take the hinges from the frame. File only the sides that are needed in order to have a proper fit for the lock. If a deadbolt lock is not working properly take a look at the alignment of the bolt lock and the strike plate. For instance some of the best front door locks are a mixture of mortise locks.

Unscrew the strike plate from the door jamb clamp it in a vise then file it down to the chalk mark above right. Loose door locks door knobs and door handles. If it s still not locking file away a little more of the strike plate until the bolt locks properly. Poor alignment can occur because your house has settled or shifted over time the door frame is old or warped or the door is sagging on its hinges.

Open the door and look for a telltale kiss on the strike plate. Reinstall the plate and test the dead bolt. If the door is sagging and will not line up with the latch check the door hinges. One possible reason for this is that your door isn t properly aligned.

Luckily fixing the alignment of your door doesn t have to be a chore. Lift the door up to relieve the pressure on the hinges and tighten the screws.