You turn your key and nothing happens. The bolt goes halfway and stops. Or you’re doing that awkward push-pull thing with your door just to get it locked. A deadbolt that won’t cooperate isn’t just annoying. It’s a security problem.
The good news is that most deadbolt issues come down to a few common problems. You can fix many of them yourself with basic tools. This guide helps you figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Why Deadbolts Fail More Often in Florida
If your front door is hard to lock during summer but fine in winter, blame the humidity. Wood doors and frames absorb moisture and swell. Even slight swelling throws off the alignment between your bolt and the strike plate on your door frame. This is one of the most common reasons deadbolts act up in West Palm Beach.
Cause #1: Your Door Lock Not Lining Up with Strike Plate
What You’ll Notice
The bolt hits metal instead of sliding into the hole. You might see scratches or paint chips around the strike plate. This happens as houses settle or if the lock wasn’t installed quite right to begin with.
How to Fix It
Try the lipstick test first. Rub lipstick or a marker on the end of your bolt. Try to lock the door. The colored mark shows exactly where the bolt is hitting.
If it’s close but not quite right, use a metal file to make the strike plate opening slightly larger. Go slow and test often.
If the bolt completely misses the opening, you need to move the strike plate:
- Unscrew the strike plate
- Fill the old screw holes with wood putty and let it dry
- Mark the correct spot based on your lipstick test
- Drill new holes and reinstall the plate
What you need: Screwdriver, metal file, wood putty, lipstick
Cause #2: Something’s Blocking the Path
What You’ll Notice
Your deadbolt won’t go all the way in. It extends partway, hits something, and stops. This usually means something is stuck in the bore hole (the hole in your door frame where the bolt goes).
How to Fix It
Take off the strike plate and look inside the hole with a flashlight. Check for paint drips, sawdust, or other junk that got in there during installation or painting. Clean it out with a vacuum or small brush.
Also check if the hole is deep enough. A deadbolt needs about an inch of depth. If it’s too shallow, use a drill with a spade bit to go deeper. Just drill slowly so you don’t go all the way through.
What you need: Flashlight, vacuum, drill with spade bit
Cause #3: The Door Has Shifted
What You’ll Notice
You have to lift or push the door to get it locked. The gap between the door and frame looks uneven. This means your door has sagged or shifted.
How to Fix It
Start simple. Tighten every screw on every hinge. Loose hinges are the main cause of sagging doors and the easiest fix. Use a screwdriver and make each screw tight.
Still not working? Try shimming. Cut a thin piece of cardboard and slide it behind the bottom hinge on the frame side. This lifts the door slightly and can fix minor sagging.
What you need: Screwdriver, cardboard
Cause #4: The Lock Itself is Worn Out
What You’ll Notice
Your deadbolt sticks when turning the key, even with the door wide open. The cylinder feels rough or catches. This means the problem is inside the lock, not with alignment.
How to Fix It
Test the lock with the door open. If it still sticks, the hardware needs attention. Put graphite powder in the keyhole and on the bolt. Stick your key in and turn it a few times to spread the lubricant around. Don’t use oil because it attracts dirt.
Check that the thumbscrew on the inside turns freely. Sometimes it gets overtightened during installation.
If graphite doesn’t help, the internal parts are probably worn out. At this point, you’ll want professional lock repair to see if it can be fixed or needs replacing.
What you need: Graphite lubricant
Signs Your Deadbolt Is Beyond Repair
Sometimes a lock has just reached its limit. If you’ve tried these fixes and nothing works, or if your deadbolt shows visible damage, it might be time to consider upgrading your locks. Newer deadbolts often have better tolerances and resist these alignment problems.
Fast Fixes for Common Deadbolt Problems
Here’s the fast version for troubleshooting:
| Step | Check This | What to Do |
| 1 | Test with door open | If it sticks, the lock needs work |
| 2 | Look at strike plate | Check for marks where bolt hits |
| 3 | Inspect the bore hole | Make sure it’s clean and deep enough |
| 4 | Check door alignment | Look for uneven gaps or sagging |
| 5 | Consider lock age | Locks over 10 years old often need replacing |
Start at the top and work down. Each step rules out a cause and gets you closer to fixing it.
If DIY Doesn’t Work
You’ve adjusted the strike plate, cleaned the bore hole, and tightened the hinges. The deadbolt still won’t cooperate. This usually means something bigger is going on. Maybe the door frame has shifted, or the lock has internal damage you can’t see.
Residential locksmith experts can diagnose issues that aren’t obvious and have the tools to fix them right. More importantly, they can spot security problems that DIY repairs might miss.
Most deadbolt problems have simple fixes you can do yourself. But if you’ve tried the basics and it’s still not working, getting help means you can stop fighting with your door and know it’s actually secure.