uPVC Door Won’t Lock? Here’s What To Do

uPVC doors are popular across the UK, but no matter where you are, finding that your door won’t lock is a major pain. Not only is it inconvenient when you need to go out, but it also leaves your home vulnerable if you can’t lock the front, side or back door.

This month, at Lock & Key Centre, we’re going to talk you through this issue, including the common causes, what to do – and what not to do – along with how much uPVC door lock repairs might cost. 

Common causes of uPVC door lock problems

In an effort to help you establish why your uPVC door won’t lock, we’ve got some of the most common causes here:

• The door or lock is misaligned – if your door doesn’t sit evenly and in line with the lock in the frame, you will be unable to turn the key
• The weather has caused contraction/expansion – like most materials, extremes in temperature can cause your door and lock components to contract and expand by mere millimetres, making it tricky to lock properly
• The door lock gearbox has failed – whether it’s down to wear and tear, accidental damage or general failure, your door’s gearbox may need replacing
• There is an issue with the lock cylinder – the lock cylinder, usually a Euro cylinder, may be the issue, requiring a replacement specific to your door
• Your door is sticking and needs lubrication – your door lock may need more lubrication in order to help it close and lock smoothly again (applying force to a door lock lacking lubrication could result in permanent damage to the lock)
• A new key hasn’t been cut properly – if you have a new key and it won’t turn or even fit into the keyhole properly, it could be that the key hasn been cut poorly
• The snib plate is engaged – this is a small plate that can be engaged to cover the bolt of your door if you want to step out and don’t want the door to shut and lock behind you; if you forget to disengage this, it may prevent you from locking your door properly

What should you do when your uPVC door won’t lock?

The best advice on what to do when your uPVC door won’t lock is to leave it alone. This way, you don’t do any more damage to the door itself and a professional locksmith can be called to assess and rectify any issues. If the problem is due to extreme heat or cold, you may just need to leave it a little while (not convenient when you need to leave, of course) and avoid doing permanent damage.

If your door won’t lock because you have a key stuck, then you can call a locksmith to take care of this issue and get your uPVC door working once again.

What not to do when your door won’t lock

While it can be frustrating when your uPVC door won’t lock, there are certain things you shouldn’t do. It can be tempting to try and rectify the issue yourself, but try and resist. Here are the things you should definitely avoid:

• Forcing the handle or the lock – if you apply too much pressure or force, you could damage the lock and the door itself, leaving marks or cracks
• Getting a friend/neighbour to help – unless they’re a trained and qualified locksmith, don’t let well-meaning friends and neighbours help as they can also do more harm than good
• Simply ignoring the issue – even if you know the issue is related to extremes in temperatures, you can’t ignore the problem, since it will keep repeating, putting the security of your property at risk

How much does it cost to fix a uPVC door lock?

The cost of fixing your uPVC door will largely depend on the nature of the problem and any replacement parts required. From cleaning and lubricating to help get your lock working to slightly realigning your door, there is no one easy way to predict a price until an inspection of the door is carried out. It’s for this reason that, if you’re unsure what’s causing the issue, you should enlist the services of a professional locksmith. 

The good news is that it shouldn’t take more than an hour to fix your uPVC door — sometimes it can take as little as 15 minutes to get your day back on track!

If you need a reliable local locksmith in Buckinghamshire – including Aylesbury and Milton Keynes – to help with your uPVC door issue, our expert team at Lock & Key Centre is here to help. Whether you know the root of the problem or not, you can count on us. All members of our team are DBS-checked for your peace of mind and we’re members of the Master Locksmiths Association — a mark of our professionalism. 

Call today and get assistance from our team to help secure your home.