How to Remove and Install a Door Lock (with Pictures)

Download Article

Co-authored by Trevor Maclise

Last Updated: August 26, 2023 References

Download Article

Door Lock Removal

|

Door Lock Installation

|

Deadbolt Removal

|

Deadbolt Installation

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Warnings

Change is good—especially when it comes to your safety! Sometimes that includes changing the locks on your doors. It's a fairly simple task, and only takes a few minutes—but it will provide you with a sense of safety and comfort. We've compiled all the info you need to know in one handy place, so you can get your new lock and deadbolt set up as soon as possible.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Door Lock Removal

Download Article

1
Measure the size of your doorknob. Often, front and back door locksets will be larger than interior locksets, and commercial locksets will be a bit different from residential ones. Knowing in advance which size you need will save you headaches later.
- Draw a tape measure from the latch edge of the door to the center of the doorknob or deadbolt lockset. Most contemporary locksets are either 2-3/8 inch (6cm) or 2-3/4 inch (6.5cm) diameter.
- The bolt or latch in many new locksets are adjustable for both, but make sure before leaving your hardware store to keep from having to backtrack.
- Older locksets may vary in size, but are generally smaller, requiring more extensive carpentry (and greater woodworking skills). If that's what you have, try checking vintage renovation stores for a "new" lockset.
- Tip: Determine which brand of lock you have. This is usually printed on the latch, but can also be found on the key — useful if the plate has been painted over, or is a leftover from an old doorknob set. You won't need an exact replacement of your old lock, but knowing the brand, style, setback, and features of the old lock will help ensure that your new lock looks, fits, and works as advertised.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
Release the springs holding the knob in place. The doorknob should come off easily, leaving you only with a decorative cover. If the springs on the knob cannot be accessed before removing the decorative cover, remove the interior cover first before removing the knob.

Advertisement
The screws for the cover may or may not be visible once you remove the knob. If they are, simply remove them and set them aside. If they are not visible, look along the edge for a hole, where they sometimes hide an allen bolt. If there are no holes or hidden screws, the plate is simply snapped in place — use a thin flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the cover, exposing the locking mechanism.
4
Disassemble the lock sections by unscrewing the two interior screws. Remove the screws that secure the interior lock section to the exterior half. These are found on the inside half of the knob. Once both screws are removed, simply pull each half of the knob straight away from the door.
- Don't let the door close or you will either have to re-insert the half of the knob with the "blade" on it or use a screwdriver or butter knife to unlatch it.
5
Remove the latch assembly (doorknob). Remove the two screws from the latch assembly on the side of the door. Remove the strike plate on the door jamb as well.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If your new lock is the same brand and model as the old one you may be able to keep your existing latch plate and strike plate. Hold the new plates up to the old and compare — if they're the same, it is better to leave the old ones in place if possible. Removing and replacing screws tends to weaken their hold in the door.
- If you can't get the new screws to bite, you may have to shove a small splinter of wood (or two) into the screw hole and snap them off flush with the edge of the door (toothpicks work well for this).
- Another alternative is to purchase longer screws, but make sure that the screw heads are identical to the ones provided by the manufacturer or they may not seat properly and cause problems.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Door Lock Installation

Download Article

1
Install the latch. Chisel out any uneven recesses in the latch so that your new latch will fit perfectly. Place the new latch into the recess. If the new latch rests snugly into its recess, don't worry about adding the screws until the remaining parts of the lockset have been installed.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If the new latch has trouble staying put in its recess, fit the screws into the latch and then tighten down.
2
Install your new lockset, making sure that the keyed section is on the outside. Slide the outside parts of the lockset into the hole, through the latch assembly. Holding them roughly parallel to the floor, insert the inside set, sliding it onto blade of the outside part of the lockset. Insert the mounting screws, and tighten them down.
- Make sure that the strike plate lines up with the new lock. If it doesn't, it's advisable to replace the strike plate.
Test this with the door open. If something is amiss, you don't want to be locked out!
Your new doorknob should be fairly springy, opening and closing with ease.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Deadbolt Removal

Download Article

This will allow you to have access to the interior of the deadbolt lock.
2
Use an Allen wrench to remove the interior screws from the deadbolt. A couple of quick turns using your Allen wrench (or hex key — they're the same thing) should be able to loosen the deadbolt mechanism from the inside. Remove the inside cylinder and outside cylinder.
- If your deadbolt lock has decorative caps over the screws, use a punch and hammer to knock the caps off center and then grab them with pliers. Then use the Allen wrench to unscrew the mountings.
- You can also twist off these decorative caps using your finger. If they still won't budge, drill them out instead.
3
If you cannot remove the screws using an Allen wrench, you may want to try to drill into the deadbolt to remove it. This is not the best option, and it requires a strong drill bit, but it will help remove a deadbolt.
- From the outside, drill into the cylinder in the middle of the deadbolt lock where the tumblers are found. Remove the tumblers.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Alternately, drill on both sides of the deadbolt, halfway between the top and bottom. Drill through on both sides until the exterior covering comes out.
- Insert a screwdriver into the latch and turn the knob lock.
Take the old deadbolt out and clean up any remaining debris or dust from the deadbolt recess.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Deadbolt Installation

Download Article

1
Orient and load in the new deadbolt lock into the side of the door. Make sure the top of the deadbolt is facing up. After lining it up, load in the deadbolt and fasten to the side of the door with two Phillips screws. Be careful not to over-tighten.
- Once you've installed the deadbolt on the side of the door, use a screwdriver to test the functionality of the deadbolt.
The tongues of both cylinders are flat on one side and curved on the other. Fit both tongues into the cylinder so that the flat sides are touching each other. For ease of installation, fit one cylinder in first, and then the other; fitting in both at the same time can be difficult.^{[5]
X
Research source}
Screw in both screws and fasten tightly, but not so tight that the deadbolt is off-center.^{[6]
X
Research source}
Fit your key into the deadbolt and turn. Look for a nice fluid turn. Check that the deadbolt is centered.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I open a door lock without a key?

Trevor Maclise
Locksmith
Trevor Maclise is a Locksmith and the Owner of Infinity Key Locksmith in San Diego, California. Trevor has over five years of experience in the industry. He specializes in working with residential doors, including door and frame replacements, door hardware installation, multi-point locks, and mortise locks.

Trevor Maclise

Locksmith

Expert Answer

Stick a tension wrench into the bottom of the lock and hold it towards the side. While still applying pressure to the wrench, insert a rake into the lock and move it back and forth and up and down—usually, the lock will pop open pretty quickly.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I change a lock cylinder?

Community Answer

Put a key in the lock, look at the locking part on the side of the door, unscrew the screw and turn the key. The barrel will slide out.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
Question

How do I unlock a door to a room in my home that someone has locked from the inside?

Community Answer

You can unscrew the door knob or handle using a screw driver. Once loose enough, the handle and lock will be useless, and it will be easy to get into the room.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Use graphite lubricant in your locks—you may not need to replace locks so frequently. Use the graphite lubricant inside the lock and also where you insert the key. An easy way to apply graphite is to draw on your key with a pencil.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Replacing your lock with another of the same brand and basic style will help ensure that no modifications will have to be made to the door itself.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Starter kits to re-key locks can be purchased for $10 to $20 and are usually comprise a simple tool to open the locks and a few spare cylinders to enable you to change keys.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you have a deadbolt that is keyed on the inside as well as the outside, then you must keep a key within easy reach in case of emergency. It should be easy to find in the event of a fire and you should make sure that everyone in your household knows where it is. You may want to tape it to a fire extinguisher or an emergency flashlight. Do not remove this key from your home under any circumstance.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Also, this key should be an original, not a duplicate. How many times have you had to jiggle a poorly duplicated key to work the lock? Now imagine trying to do that in a room full of smoke and flame. Keep a separate key for each door this applies to, even if they are keyed alike.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0