How To Fix a Misaligned Deadbolt | Hard To Lock 

I thought I knew where the deadbolt was sticking and filed for about 10 minutes and got nowhere. I bit the bullet and put some softened butter on the bolt and found the real sticking point. One minute of filing later the bolt slid in and out like new! I'm a nurse, and treating without diagnosing is never a good idea. Thanks for the great advice.

Great solution - the sticking never bothered me until I switched to an electronic lock that won't lock if it feels resistance. 2 minutes of filing later and it closes cleanly every time. Thanks so much!

wow. I followed everything you said, (but improvised with liquid paper instead of thread seal) Went out to canadian tire and got a file. Worked perfectly!!!! Thank you so much for posting this and going through it, step by step, for those of us not used to doing this kind of stuff. You saved us a visit from locksmith for sure. Regards!!

Thank you! As a brand new homeowner, I came across a misaligned security screen door deadbolt. I wasn't sure what to do, but thanks to your video I know what to try now. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me and the world. New subber, MountainAngel (From the Silicon Valley, CA to a 3acre property in the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Foothills, CA)

I just fixed our deadbolt that had been out of alignment for 2 years. I had the tools on hand, so this was a no-cost solution. Thank you!

Tightening the hinges did the trick! They weren't even that loose - less than 1/4 turn in each! Some screws were missing - will add them for a longer term fix. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was great, I was able to adjust and fix my garage door BEFORE I bent and wrecked my Key! Very well done video and helped me solve the problem the first time. Thanks much for taking the time.

Wow! This helped me a big deal! I had this problem for years. I didn't know what to do. I tightened the hinges, but they were all ok. I started to search online for a new deadbolt lock to replace it, until I found your video. That resolved the problem!!! Thank you so very much!!!

Fantastic video! Fixed my door after jamming for 5 years! The butter trick worked perfectly. Thank you!

Deadbolt would not line up with the strike-Plate. Very hard to lock. I was ready to spend some money to get it fixed. I watched your video and so glad I did. I tighten the hinge-screws and now it works flawlessly. Thank-you so much. Next I'll be installing longer screws for security

Thank you for the tip. I never thought of filing down the plate. You just saved me a lot of headache.

Super helpful. i thought I was about to enter a world of a major door realignment. Good stuff.

Thanks Scott, great video! Using something to mark the end of the deadbolt is a great idea!

HA!!!! Perfect!!! Thank you. Fixed my issue. My smart lock wasn't locking, turns out all I needed was some glue, and sandpaper.

Excellent. Thank you. I used a dremel. Smart door lock was getting stuck. All fixed!

This worked!!! Thank you so much! Brilliant idea to use the white stuff to see where the blockage is. I used my son's finger paint, and it worked like a charm :) Really appreciate this video!

I live in Phoenix, where houses tend to dry out. So about 10 years after moving in I did have my front door kicked in. The person I got to repair it fitted a single new strike plate combining both deadbolt AND the latch and used 4 inch wood screws going deep into the 2x4. It was a very reassuring fix and 2 years later, I came home to a huge boot print next to the door handle - but the door held up great. Today, I'm just replacing old hardware that is looking cosmetically tired and the new deadbolt is catching just a fraction. I hadn't considered filing. But it certainly beats redrilling holes to move the strike plate. Particularly in view of the massive security feature it is today. Thx.

Great video. Problem fixed. I will take up your suggestion to replace the strike plate set next for better security. 👍

Wow, you just made my day!! Thank you so much, this helped me finally align my deadbolt.

great video! the file worked great for my deadbolt that was just a smidge off in the humidity (fine in the winter). Thank you so much!

Thanks a lot for this video, I always had to push hard the door to close it, now after I fixed using your video I can do it with no head ache 😃 thanks again to share this knowledge

I never knew about that idea- sticking a substance in to find where it's hitting! Thanks a lot- I used sunblock (it's what I had laying around)

As someone who’s worked the construction end, just wanted to let you know you are excellent in explaining to the homeowner. You break it down into logical common sense. Sometimes we think with our brain and don’t realize it’s not common place to some. Great video…

Another excellent video Scott, thank you. Love the caulking idea to tell where bolt is hitting. Lots of great ideas on this video, looking forward to the deadbolt strike video. And thank you very much for taking the time to add links to the items you talk about. I'm Subscribed now.

Awesome!! Thanks so much. Short, sweet and to the point

Thank you for sharing. I rent and am having issues with my bolts. The landlord tries to fix things, however it is short lived. Hopefully with your video and suggestions, this can be solved.

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

This was so useful!!! Thank you so much.

Great video. Kwikset should hire you do to their videos. Thank you.

Thanks man very smart tightening the hinges. That almost fixed my problem just took a little file work

Thank you. Your instructions were very helpful.

This helped me out a lot on my rental property! Thank you!!!!

Very useful video. Help me to fix my front door very easy. Thank you so much.

Very helpful, through, and thoughtful video!

Fixed my door thanks to this video. Thank you brother

Saved me having the return the my new smart lock. Thank you.

Great reminder about tightening the hinges

Use 3" screws on the hinges too, for added security.

Worked like a champ! Thank you!

Awesome explanation… thanks for the info

Thank you one less thing I need to ask my husband to do I'm going to give it a try!!

Great video! Thanks Billy Ripken! :-) Yes, you look like him. Thanks again.

Thank You! This was so helpful.

Thanks very much for your tips!

Right on ! Thank you so much ! Problem solved ! Easy peasy ! 💚✌️💚

Genius…thank you!!

Great video. Thank you

Thanks dude! I was thinking I had to get an entire new frame and this did the trick!

Amazing tip!

Dude, thanks! Love the burr file idea

I used that bit you recommended- wowzer thank you!

Great tip.

Dude your awesome and you totally look like an Hollywood actor

Solved my problem. Thank you very much. BTW I used suntan lotion instead of caulking. Did the trick.

Great video, but when you closed the door after filing you had your left hand pushing on the door still. It may not have made a difference but just thought I would tell you so you can fix that in future help videos! Great job and I'm going to go try it out now. I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just thought you should know in case anyone else saw it and gave you crap about it. I didn't want to read all the comments so I apologize if this has already been addressed. Thanks

Great video! Thank you for doing this.🎉🎉🎉😊

Thank you so much for this

How long are the screws in the security kit. I'm changing locks and they've already been purchased but would like longer screws in the deadbolt.

Thank you!

Thank you for this video. Just fixed my door.

Informative and it worked, thank You

Makes great sense. Thanks man

Do you have to use a dremmel to get the excese wood of the door jamb out to fit the new sturdier striker plate? Thanks for the video btw

Thank you for this. I just fixed 3 annoying deadbolts in my house in 30 min.

Thank you for this video, now I know how to fix our door that has this problem.

Superb! Thank you.

Thanks for the video. How we can deepen the hole where deadlock locks the door?

My issue is that the deadbolt is hitting the tab on the strike plate that bends into the hole in the door jam. It's hitting right where the bend is, so I can't just file it away without removing the entire tab. Is there any downside to doing this? Less secure, I suppose. Some of the strike plates I'm seeing don't even have that tab. My other option is to chisel the hole a bit bigger so that I can move the strike plate back a bit, but I don't think I'll be able to use the same screw holes.

Do u Know why I have play in my lever for the dead bolt ?

Excellent Video. How do you fix a deadbolt lock when the sticking is in the lock itself, & not in the strike plate? Thanks in advance.

Why didn't I think if that? I have this problem to fix also. Another issue is the screws on the deadbolt lock itself. I can't tighten the screws very much, just snug. The bolt won't turn easily if the screws are tightened. These are the screws that hold the two sides of the lock

thanks so much

Great video, do you recommend swapping out the screws for the hinges to 3 inches also? thanks

Cool! I’m having issues with mine. I d like to try and fix it myself, if possible.

Great video

Maybe this is dumb - but could this weaken the strike too much? especially if its on the inside (direction of kick force from oustide) ??

Started off with your tightening if screws. Found 3 that were broken off!!!! How do I get the rest of the screw out of the door?? Help!

Can you use longer security screws if you have a security glass frame on either side of the door? Electronic locks are really annoying as any pressure rubbing against bolt signals BEEPING. Was probably free, but it seems the door shifted over a couple years.

Hey Scott, Great Video!! What if the defense strike plate is preventing the deadbolt to lock easily, what would you recommend the fastest option to make it work properly?

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok where can I find strike plate . Is there a brand name or maker on the package ? And which home store can I buy it at ? Thanks

This is so smart! I love it!

Lipstick will work

Thanks for sharing! Your video helped me get my deadbolt functional in a time where security is the most important with all the evil out there these days!!

What to do if the deadlock plunger extends into the strike plate when a door is pulled fairly hard? When it's not pulled hard everything engages correctly but when the deadlock plunger extends it holds the door a bit farther closed and then the deadbolt can't extend.

Excellent video! I moved into my home and all but 1 deadbolt is misaligned.

My problem isn’t the deadbolt not lining up. It’s getting the door to actually close all the way during wet, rainy weather, which in Ohio is quite often.

I found toothpaste useful and even better my deadbolt smells like mint now🙃

The file you use appears to be triangular and is about 8-10 mm at the end. The set you link to does not have a file like that.

Scott why is this a common issue for rental properties? I curious what the cause may be.

Add the security strikeplate install video thimbnail at end of the vid.

Steven Segal won't kick my door open? LoL

This would actually work. However as a sidebar, that's really not the correct strike plate for a deadbolt. Normally would be a bit larger with 4 holes, 2 standard, and 2 anchors to draw into the framing stud.

Wow , who chiseled out that striker hole? what a mess.

What if the dead bolt doesn't go in even without the strike plate lol

I tightened my hinge screws and the door would not close at all. Time to get out the sander.

I just don't understand why my door is doing this the day after I had a brand new door and brand new lock installed.

Absolutely fantastic tips thank you I really appreciate it 👍👍👍👍

That hole was just poorly made 😢😢

Really poor camera direction