Repairing a Loose Door Handle

Over time, door handles loosen and become difficult to turn and unlatch. The doors used more often in the home are more prone to this.

Most door hardware made today uses exposed screws to connect the two halves of the handle to each side of the door. These are accessible from the “room side.” If you have exposed screws, you’re lucky — it will be much easier for you to remove the cover plate.

But some current brands (and most older door hardware) use hidden chassis screws, a setup that requires taking the doorknob and cover plate apart to tighten the screws. If you know the model of your door handle, you might find the user manual online to provide clear instructions for tightening your specific hardware.

Our door hardware is typical of interior doors, but you may have something other than a button to release the knob. Also, some door cover plates unscrew from the chassis by hand (turn them counterclockwise) rather than snap onto it.

If you see any damaged screws or hardware, replace these pieces to ensure your door handle will work properly. If the screws need to be replaced, bring the original screws with you to the hardware store to ensure you buy the right size.