Sticky door handle? Expert reveals 4 simple steps to identify the problem🚪🔐

The experts at Hiatt Hardware have revealed their tips on how to fix a stiff door handle to maintain security and accessibility throughout your home.

Ryan Calvert, product expert at Hiatt Hardware, comments:

“Fixing a stuck door handle is essential for security, safety, and preventing further damage. It also eliminates the nuisance of dealing with a malfunctioning handle, ensuring convenient daily use. The most common cause of a sticking door handle is a problem with the tubular latch – the spindle bar that sits inside the latch body – as springs and components in this zone can easily become damaged.”

1. Check for obstructions

Before attempting to fix a stiff door knob or handle, make sure to check for any obvious obstructions, such as loose debris, screws, or anything blocking the strike plate or stopping the handle returning to its horizontal position.

2. Remove your door handle or knob

If there is no longer an issue, it is likely the obstruction is inside the tubular latch, in which case you will need to remove the door handle to get a clear view. Once the screws are removed, and kept to one side, you should be able to easily take off the door handle.

Here, you should have a full view of the inside mechanisms and will be able to identify any noticeable breakage or obstructions to the tubular latch.

3. Simple solutions

If any damage or obstruction isn’t obvious, it is encouraged to spray some lubricant inside the door handle, as it may be that the components have simply seized with time.

Broken springs are also a common cause of stiff door handles, if this appears to be the case, simply replacing this mechanism will solve the problem.

4. Replace your tubular latch

If there is no issue with the door handles, the problem likely lies in the tubular latch. To inspect further, remove the latch body housing by unscrewing the latch faceplate on the door frame’s inner side. Press the latch tongue with your finger to see if it functions properly and springs back when released. If it doesn’t, a broken spring inside the latch body is likely causing the door knob to stick and a new tubular latch is needed.