How To Fix A Door Handle That Won T Open

Remove the thru spindle.

How to fix a door handle that won t open.

Don t try to kick or smash it open because this could damage the door and injure you. Place flat head screwdriver in the gap you removed the spindle from. Take knob handle off the door. Look for the set screw on neck of the knob between the handle and door.

To fix the door knob figure out where the connections have gone awry. Use a spatula or putty knife to get a little space between the door and the frame then use a combination of wiggling and brute force to get the door open. Unscrew the doorknob from the door. If the latch won t retract the problem is with the spring or the latch housing.

If the latch retracts then the problem is the connection between the doorknob and the spindle. Take the handles knobs off of the door. Remove the handles including the thru spindle. If the door does not allow the lock to be jimmied open it may be necessary to remove the door from its hinges.

You can try bracing one foot against the frame and pulling hard. Slide a flathead screwdriver into the hole in the latch and twist it. Here are the general steps to remove the handle and lock from the door and test the retraction mechanism. Use a tool a flathead screwdriver will work to twist within the gap the thru spindle inserts into.

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