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How to fix stuck privacy leverset?

Hi, the latch is stuck in the door frame and can't get the door open. The handle wouldn't move the latch and the door couldn't close. Somehow the kids slammed the door and now the door cant get opened. Have removed the handle and everything but not sure where to go to from here to get the part out of the wall so the door can be opened again. Can access the otherside through a window (which is how I got the kids out). This is a bedroom door. Any advice to how I can get the door open so I can sleep tonight would be great thanks!!

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EricL

Hello @tchilvers

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your door knob.

Please allow me to suggest a few trouble shooting steps:

Have you tried to re-install the privacy locking pin? Yes? Try to give it a shake or perhaps use pliers to move the lock.
Is the spindle stuck and refuses to turn? Try using some locking pliers or vise grip to hold on to the spindle and turn it. (please note that if it does turn odds are the latch will not be reusable)
Have you tried to spray the latch with WD40? It's possible that mechanism might have binded itself together.

If these steps fail to move the latch, I'm afraid your next steps are to either lift or cut the door trim in order to get to the front of the latch and force the front of it to depress in order to open the door. I don't recommend destroying the latch from within as it will damage the internals of the door and you'll end up spending more on repairs.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Noyade for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @tchilvers

Several months back I had an emergency repair to solve the same issue, but the old lady was still in the bathroom with a non-opening window. I thought it would be a simple matter of removing the handle and twisting the spindle, like the dozens of failed latches I have dealt with. But like you, the latch spring has broken inside the mechanism. So, I tried drilling it out and prying the mech for about 20min with no luck. My other issue is the house had just been painted as it was just listed for sale. So, all this time I was trying not to scratch the door.

After an hour of running out of ideas I had to get very serious with no options left.

I ran a sharp blade down the door stop where I meets the frame to break the pain seal. I used my hammer and chisel to carefully pry the stop away without it splitting by around 5mm centrally where the latch was.

Then I used a fine metal cutting blade and my reciprocating saw on high-speed to cut the striker off. Again trying to be a straight as possible not to cut in to either the door or badly into the frame. I was through in about 5min and the door opened. To my surprise I was pretty straight and did little damage. Another hour later with some filler and the clients paint I managed to repair the damage so it was almost un-noticeable.

I regretted afterwards not taking any photos. But at the time it was the furthest from my mind.

Good luck let me know how you go.

Nailbag

Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 5.55.51 pm.png

Dave-1

Good Evening @tchilvers

;/ Bugger... I had the same thought as @Nailbag plus would really work away at @EricL 's suggestions first...

If you havnt managed to open the door yet, then my last option is to get a large vicegrip pair of clamps, clamp the square shaft and turn 😕 This is how thieves got in through the old door at my first place. The sharp twist should snap what is inside tho will destroy it. I have not attempted to replicate it 🙂 But if nothing else works it could be worth a go.

Dave

Noyade

Evening @tchilvers

"Can access the otherside through a window"

Can you get back that way with a hammer and punch - and remove the door pins? Remove the door.

Or maybe I watch too many Hollywood movies.

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