In many cases removing the faceplate is enough but in some cases you may also need to remove parts of the lock from the door.
Loose door locks.
If you re having trouble opening your door lock it s best to also make sure that it is clean and free from dirt or rust.
To fix the loose door lock cylinder you need access to the set screws holding the cylinder in the lock.
Some of the components in question are the set screw the fastener and also the spindle that connects both halves of your doorknob door lock or door handle.
So here s what you have to do.
Tighten a loose door handle photo 1.
Loose doorknobs are a common problem on frequently used doors around the home.
Release the tab or button remove the inside doorknob by locating the button like our model metal tab or wire clip on the side of the knob that acts as a release.
Entire lock cylinder turns a cylinder turns when the setscrew s meant to hold it in place become loose or broken.
Step 1 if you have a modern cylindrical or tubular lock set with a loose knob see how to troubleshoot lock problems.
Loose door locks and loose door knobs can leave a gap in your security if they are left unattended.
Another common reason for loose door locks is that the internal components are not connecting the way they should and this results in a loose door lock door handle or door knob.
To tighten these door handles you need to.
Tighten internal screws loose door knob or loose door handle.
Some tips on how to tighten loose door handles and find the hidden screws for models by kwikset schlage yale defiant ezset and mortice lock sets.
If your doorknobs feel a little loose and jiggly you may need to tighten either the lock set for most modern doorknobs or the knob itself on older mortise style passage locks pictured below.
It s best to tighten the lock as soon as you notice that it is becoming loose to prevent more serious problems down the line.
I show how i tightened my loose door handle that is made by kwikset.
Using an awl or small screwdriver push the button in all the way and at the same time pull off the handle.
Remove the faceplate if there is one at the door s edge and locate the one or two cylinder setscrews.
They should be in line with the center of the cylinder.