How To Open A Jammed Door Handle

The knob will not turn to retract the stuck door latch.

How to open a jammed door handle.

Both shootbolts can get stuck so you may need to release both sides. If the latch retracts then the problem is the connection between the doorknob and the spindle. Remove the handles including the thru spindle. Take the handles knobs off of the door.

Once the door is open try to actuate the door latch with the handle. The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob. Hidden screws look along the throat of your broken doorknob for a small set screw or a small slit. If you re locked on the other side look for a tiny hole on the doorknob.

See if this retracts the handle. To fix the door knob figure out where the connections have gone awry. The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch. Unscrew the doorknob from the door.

Push an eyeglasses screwdriver a paper clip hammered flat or a very small butter knife into this hole. How to open a door that s locked and cant be opened with the handle or knob. Grasp the exposed spindle with pliers. Remove the current latch use a screwdriver to remove the handle and two screws that hold the plate which is facing.

Don t forget to make sure the handle is in the open position when trying to open the window that is jammed. Reassemble the parts insert the spindle and screw back the front plate of the. I will show you an easy way to remove the door lock and open it manually as this. Slide a flathead screwdriver into the hole in the latch and twist it.

Check the alignment of the deadbolt against the strike on the jamb if the lock is difficult to turn when the door is closed or the door doesn t lock at all. Use a file to widen the hole on the strike or remove the strike with a screwdriver and reposition it on the jamb. Take out the old faulty latch. Remove the screws holding the escutcheon plate to the door if they are exposed or look along the outer edge of the.

Use a small screwdriver or thin tool on interior doors. Make sure you are pulling in the right direction in the direction that the shootbolts move to open. Use a small hex key to loosen the. If the latch won t retract the problem is with the spring or the latch housing.

Use a tool a flathead screwdriver will work to twist within the gap the thru spindle inserts into.