A door lock not working is a major issue for safety and security. If a lock does not lock reliably, then it does not provide the protection that it should. If a lock does not open reliably, this is an immediate threat to your personal safety if you ever need to exit during an emergency.
So why exactly is your door lock not working? Once you can answer this question, you can fix the problem. But each solution begins with determining what it is you are trying to solve. Looking for answers?
Why does a door lock stop working?
A door lock not working is quite often a result of the lock malfunctioning. However there are several common occurrences where the trouble that the lock is having stems from another source. For instance you may be able to adjust your door strike plate to get everything working.
Is my door lock the problem, or could it be something else?
You could have an issue where the key is wearing out, or the door has misaligned. In these cases, replacing or repairing the lock is unlikely to fix anything.
What is the easiest fix for a door lock not working?
An almost universal, though often temporary, fix for a door lock not working is to use a door lock lubricant. A good dry lube (not oil-based) will free up a lock in most instances where something has jammed or stuck. If something is disconnected, this is not really an option.
Do different types of door locks break differently?
Door locks are most likely to break at the point that is weakest and most used. If you have a lock that uses thin or weak metal, such as springs or spring-metal actuators, these can break easily. The use of plastic components is also becoming more common in cheap door locks.
