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We have a garage door latch that is sticking off and on

Asked March 8, 2023 by a homeowner in Doors (Carey Tyner)

We built a house 7 years ago, and have a garage door with a lever knob. The lever knob started sticking when we tried to open the door, and so we thought replace the door handle and that would be an easy solution. But that handle started doing the same thing. We had one handyman come out and take the handle out, spray with WD-40 and replace a few screws in the hinge of the door with longer screws. He said something about the fact that the screws were no long enough in the hinge. But the door continued to stick and the sticking is not consistent. We had a handyman come out yesterday, and he removed the entire door handle, sprayed all the internal parts with WD-40, and added some screws within the inside of the door. I explained that sometimes our daugher pulls the lever down all the way, and we thought that may have some type of affect on how the door is functioning. The screws were added as some type of support. When he was done, the door handle seemed to move more freely, but then this morning did the exact same thing - sticking! Since the door handle has been replaced within the past few years, I'm not sure if it's just coincidence with poor handles, or the door itself has an issue (like the hinge as a previous handyman mentioned.)

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    VNOC Handy ServicesContractorAugust 25, 2026

    It sounds like you've done a good job troubleshooting the issue with your garage door latch, but the recurring sticking suggests there might be an underlying problem. Here are a few possibilities to consider:

    1. **Hinge Alignment**: If the door is not properly aligned, it can cause the latch to stick. Check if the door is square in the frame and that the hinges are aligned. If the door is sagging, you might need to adjust or replace the hinges.

    2. **Weather Stripping**: If the weather stripping is too thick or damaged, it could be pushing against the door and causing it to stick. Inspect the stripping and replace it if necessary.

    3. **Latch Mechanism**: The internal mechanism of the latch itself might be worn or defective. Sometimes, even new handles can have manufacturing defects.

    4. **Door Frame Issues**: If the door frame has shifted or settled, it could affect how the door operates. This would require a more detailed inspection.

    Given that you've already had a couple of handymen take a look, it might be time to consult a licensed door specialist who can assess the door's alignment and frame integrity. Costs for this type of service can range from $100 to $250, depending on your location.

    As a next step, I recommend getting 2-3 local quotes on Handyman.com for a more thorough evaluation.

    — Assisted answer

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