I can unlock the door if i try a few times but the key has a difficult time turning as the deadbolt is sticky.
Sticky door lock.
Fortunately most front door lock problems can be.
To fix a door lock that doesn t turn easily.
Many people put up with the aggravation of a sticking door lock for years.
My front door deadbolt lock is hard to unlock and open when i put the key in and turn.
First clean the keyhole with a penetrating lubricant like wd 40.
Squirt a little powdered graphite available in squeeze tubes at home improvement and automotive stores in the keyhole of the lock.
Fixing a few stubborn locks might involve disassembling cleaning and then reassembling the lock.
Simulating opening the door without the latch extending into and retracting out of the strike plate.
More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch.
Sticking door locks can be attributed to everything from slight settling of the house to a buildup of dust and dirt within the locking mechanism.
Insert the key in the lock and turn it several times to distribute the graphite.
Often turning these four screws slightly clockwise is enough to eliminate the scuffing.
Once the door is open try to actuate the door latch with the handle.
This occurs when dust dirt grime and other buildup accumulates on the internal.
How to fix a sticky lock.
If it s a matter of friction on the strike plate try to tighten both the plate and the lock on your door.
The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob.
Most interior door knobs are relatively inexpensive to replace.
For serious lock problems it is usually best to call a locksmith or to replace the lock entirely.
We have been going through our garage door to get in the house because of this.
You can even see where the door has scraped against the frame.
The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch.
After enough use you might find that your door lock has begun to stick making it difficult to put in turn or pull out your key.
An improperly functioning latch may be the result of a poorly fitting door.
Ironically by cleaning and oiling them you can fix most locks in a matter of minutes.