UPVC front door won't lock

Question

My porch door won't lock, it is a double glazed upvc door only fitted a year ago. The handle lifts up but it seems like it is sticking so I can't turn the key. Does anyone know how to fix it cheaply?

Joseph · Accepted Answer

Hello
From your description the door needs alignment. 
It is usually only the top hinge you need to adjust. 
This can be done by adjusting the Allen key head in the top hinge. 
Turn the Allen key so the door lifts up turn for a couple of rotations and then try to engage the handle. Repeat the process until it engages correctly. 
Regards joe kilbane locksmiths

Jason · Answer

Will it lock with the door open? If so then it is most likely an alignment issue which can be resolved by adjusting the door on the hinges although this is a job that is best tackled by a competent locksmith if you over adjust the door will not shut at all.
If the lock does not lock with the door open then I would say that the gearbox is jammed on the multipoint locking system and will require replacing.

Mark · Answer

The door probably requires adjustment. This is done through the inside hinges fixed to the door.
If it is a new door. The door is now settling.

John · Answer

Could be lock cylinder or it could be main lock or my need door adjustment

Barry · Answer

Sounds like you need a new lock. Should be about £100 supplied and fitted

Gareth · Answer

If when the door is open and you  lift the handle to engage thehooks then turn the key( still with the door open) if it locks  then it's not your cylinder , or MEC, it would most likely be your door has dropped slightly so your hooks are not fully engaged with your keeps

Jason · Answer

Hello, try operating the mechanism (lock and unlock) with the door in the open position. If it works when open then its highly likely the door has dropped so adjust the hinges. If it fails when door is open then it is likely to be a faulty mechanism. Hope this helps. Kind regards, Jason.

Stewart · Answer

Needs slight adjustment on the keeps I expect but can't say for sure without seeing it

Abdul · Answer

Hello Akinfolayan, it could be a fault with the mechanism but sounds more like the door just needs re-allignment. A decent locksmith will be able to realign and adjust the door and just charge labour cost.

Matthew · Answer

Sounds like it needs adjusting normally around £60 call out and labour.

Raymond · Answer

Hi sometimes it's caused by the door alignment. The door may have just dropped a small bit which means the lock won't engage would need to see it to give a positive answer sorry I can't be more help.

Michael · Answer

Hi There

Try having the door open lift the handle as though locking the door and see if it will lock if it does then probably just a hinge adjustment required.

Nick · Answer

if it's not under warranty, try lubrication, if that does not work it may need adjusting ,either hinges or keeps

James · Answer

Need to see really could be an issue with alignment or maybe the gearbox.

Gary · Answer

It could be a number of things. The most obvious to me would be that the door has dropped and needs to be ajusted. It could be that the mech has gone faulty because of the age of the door or it may need a new cylinder

Paul · Answer

There are 2 main reasons this problem occurs with a UPVC door.

The first reason that can cause the above problem is ‘misalignment’. The door has moved from its original position and become misaligned with the keeps on the door frame. With UPVC doors, this ‘misalignment’ is usually due to the weight of the door pulling down on the hinges over a period of time. With the more modern UPVC doors this problem can be an easy fix; simply insert an Alan key into the middle of the top hinge, turn the key a little whist watching for the door lifting to its original position. You can visit the Glass and Lock website for a more comprehensive guide on adjusting different types of UPVC door hinges.

The second reason why a UPVC handle wont lift to lock the door, is caused by a broken gearbox.
This is is the part of the locking mechanism which operates all the hooks, bolts, and rollers on the multi point strip. Ironically, a broken gearbox is usually caused by the door being misaligned. If all the locking points of the multi point strip are not fitting nicely into their respective keeps on the door frame, you will need more ‘force’ when lifting the handle to engage the locks. This extra force may get the door locking temporarily, however forcing the door to lock like this will eventually take its toll on something. This is where something inside the gearbox breaks down. When this gearbox break there is not much the house holder can do apart from call out a locksmith. Changing UPVC gearboxes is a more specialist kind of repair, and to purchase one usually requires an account with a lock supplier.

Will · Answer

The problem here is most likely on of the following:

1. the mechanism is failing
2. one or more keeps or door hinges need adjusting
3. the euro cylinder needs replacing
4. the handle needs replacing

It is not usually the euro nor the handle. Try opening the door then locking it whilst it is open (away from the frame, so the bolts/ hooks are unhindered)- if it locks fine, then you know that your mechanism is ok and it is your keeps/ hinges that need adjustment, which will just be a labour charge to fix. If it has the same problem whilst open then you know it is probably the mechanism which is failing, which may need replacing.

To answer your question- it is not necessarily a good idea to look for the cheapest price where security is concerned, and often it is false economy as you may end up having to call a legitimate locksmith out if the problem is not fixed. My advice is to find a locksmith you are confident is competent so you know it will be fixed and you will only pay once. Look for a 12 month guarantee and a trained and insured DBS checked locksmith with good experience and who gives a fixed upfront quote rather than the cheapest quote. This way you know you will only pay if it is fixed and won't have any more problems going forward. 

Hope this helps.

Malcolm · Answer

It may be a number of things. The mech in the door may be faulty and on its way out if it was a cheap fitted door mechanism. The keeps in the door may have been slightly out of alignment and over lifting of the handle and forcing the lock to shut may have damaged the door mech. 
Best thing would be to take out the door mechanism and see where problem lies. A quick possible maintenance and clean up of door mech may be enough to repair the fault.

Ahsah · Answer

I think you need to adjust your door .
Either door sash needs to be moved up or down.

UPVC front door won't lock

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