Front screen door won't latch

[kcox4434]

The front screen door won't latch shut. The dog can just push right out. Any idea's on how to get it to latch again?

[Al and Missy]

The door is not closing far enough to engage the latch. Find out what is stopping it. Any number of things could be possible:
1. Latch is not free to move - Hit it with some silicone lube.
2. Door is bent, contacting the frame somewhere and not allowing it to close all the way - Bend the door until it seats evenly on the frame.
3. The damaged frame shown in picture 1 is stopping the door from closing all the way - clean up the damage.

Al

[TG Twinkie]

The hinges are contacting the door frame preventing the door from closing.
They need to be bent back.
Try opening the screen door half way then push the door toward the hinges. It may take a block of wood behind the hinges to get them bent back.

[LBOskiBear]

I have a similar issue but mine may be less bent than yours. My door/hinges are a bit off so that if I allow the screen to simply close, it sits quite a distance from the latch catch. I have to pull it (which then bends the door to the correct position) to get it to latch.

Does yours bend enough with force to latch or does that not even work?

[USAtraveler]

Pics 2 & 3 show the latch mechanism is not aligned properly on the door frame. Holes in the latch mechanism allow for it to be mounted on the door frame and moved slightly to the left or right in order for the beveled latch pin to engage the pin slot. The latch pin has to seat into the slot deeply enough and with enough force to resist jumping out of the slot when pressure is applied to the door. Pics 2 & 3 show the latch mechanism is mounted all the way to the extreme left and no longer centered between the edges of the door frame. Perhaps the rivets attaching it to the door frame have loosened somewhat and the mechanism moved to the left from its original position. It needs to be moved to the right and centered on the door frame. Put a wood block against the left edge of the mechanism and tap it gently with a hammer to move it to the right until it is centered between the door edges. If it moves too easily and slides back to the left when the door is shut, the rivets are too loose and need to be replaced.