Diagnosis and Mechanical Solutions

• 1). Inspect your lock if it is a deadbolt. Open the door and turn the deadbolt to the locked position. If the lock opens while the door is open, there could be a problem with the hole the deadbolt goes into (also known as a strike recess) when the door is closed. If the lock does not function properly when the door is open, the problem could be a tight installation.
  
  
• 2). Fix a problem with the strike recess by replacing the plate that covers the recess. Do this by unscrewing the old plate and screwing a new plate on. When placing a new plate on the strike recess, line the plate up properly with the deadbolt.
  
  
• 3). Fix a problem with a deadbolt that is too tightly installed by loosening the screws slightly. Loosen the screws on the deadbolt's front plate by giving them only slight turns.
  
  

Lubrication

• 1). Blow out both the deadbolt lock and standard lock with canned air to remove any initial debris.
  
  
• 2). Insert the powder graphite bottle's tip into the keyhole of both the deadbolt and standard lock. Give a few swift puffs to force graphite deep into the lock.
  
  
• 3). To thoroughly spread the graphite around inside the lock, repeatedly insert the key into the lock and remove it. Repeat the process as needed if the lock still sticks.
  
  
• 4). Puff more graphite onto the extended deadbolt and door jamb for increased ease in locking.