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How to remove privacy door lock?

Hi, my bathroom door have a privacy lock and the door has closed and will not open, the knob turns but the bolt dosnt retract, I can’t get to the screws to unscrew the lock from the outside and am needing advice on how to get the doo open so I can replace the lock?

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JacobZ

Hi @junior,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Has it locked, or has the mechanism failed, and the latch is not retracting?

You say the knob turns, but nothing happens. If you turn the spindle itself, does anything happen?

If it is locked, try putting a paperclip or a thin piece of wire in any holes around that central pillar to see if there is a fail-safe that unlocks it.

Give these methods a try and tell me what you find.

If you have some photos from different angles, this could help us see if there is anything that could help. Also, if you can shine a light down the centre where the spindle is and take a photo, this might also help.

If we can't find a method to release the lock or latch from this side, and there is no way to access the inside of the door, then you can aways use a drill to drill out the screws, which will be located behind these two holes.

Also, allow me to tag the brains trust to see if they have any thoughts - @Noyade, @AlanM52, @R4addZ, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag.

Let me know how you go. I am here to help.

Jacob

junior

Hi Jacob,

No it is not locked, the knob turns/spindle turns but the mechanism itself has failed and not

allowing the bolt to retract back. Yes I have tried for a fail safe but there is nothing there.

AlanM52

Hi @junior,

Likely the spindle has disconnected from the hub in some way.

That often happens due to loose screws or a DIY install where the spindle was cut to short and only the tip engages.

I suggest you start carefully dismantling the lock to investigate why the spindle had disengaged.

Cheers

Nailbag

Hi @JacobZ

Following @JacobZ second piece of advice, use a 6mm metal drill bit to drill out the posts which will release both side the handle face plates allowing you to push through the spindle.

This will expose the latch having a square opening. You will need a large flat screw driver or similar to insert and turn the latch mechanism.

If this doesn't work and you still can't open the door, then unfortunately it's a rare scenario that the latch spring has failed. If this is the case, then the solution is an advanced process that even the average handyman would struggle to perform without cause considerable damage to both the door and frame.

I detailed the process in a post a few weeks back for someone in a similar scenario, but let's see how you go with the instruction above first.

Nailbag

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 7.07.21 pm.png

Dave-1

Good Evening @junior

Ummmm I cant think of anything more to add then what the crew have already mentioned.

Patience and take your time drilling out the two screws as when I have had to drill out locks before its very easy to become disheartned as I just wanted to go fast and get it done, then the drill would want to wander.

Dave

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