Patio or French Door Won’t Lock? Causes and Fixes
Patio doors and French doors are often the weakest point at the back of a house, and they’re easy to forget about until they stop locking. Here’s what usually goes wrong and how it’s fixed.
Sliding patio doors
- The door has dropped on its rollers — the hook no longer lines up with the keep. The rollers can usually be adjusted.
- Dirt in the bottom track — stops the door sliding fully closed. Clean the track before anything else.
- Worn lock or cylinder — older patio locks wear out and some are easy to force. A new lock or 3-star cylinder fixes both problems.
uPVC French doors
French doors have two doors. One (the slave door) is held shut by shoot bolts at the top and bottom, and the other locks into it. If either door has dropped, or the shoot bolts don’t go fully home, the main door won’t lock.
- Check the slave door is fully bolted at the top and bottom.
- Look for rub marks where the doors meet.
- If the handle on the slave door is stiff or loose, the shoot bolt gearbox may be worn.
What it costs in Birmingham
- Alignment or roller adjustment — quote by photo
- 3-star anti-snap cylinder — from £69 plus parts
- Gearbox or lock repair — from £99 plus parts
No call-out fee. You get the price before any work starts. Send a photo on WhatsApp and we can often give you a fixed price straight away.
Make the back of the house secure
Back doors and patio doors are often less secure than the front door. While we’re there, we can check every outside door and tell you what, if anything, needs upgrading for your insurance. The check is free with any job.
Common Questions
Can a patio door be locked from inside only?
Many can, but if you want to lock it from outside as well, we can fit a lock with a key cylinder.
Is it safe to leave a patio door that won’t lock?
No. Most insurance needs every outside door locked. Call us 24/7 if it won’t lock tonight.
Do you fix the glass too?
We fix the locks and can board up a broken panel. For new glass you’d need a glazier.
Need a Locksmith Right Now?
24/7, no call-out fee, typically with you in around 30 minutes.