Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Removing the doorknob
• Part 2 of 3: Installing a new latch
• Part 3 of 3: Installing a doorknob
• Necessities
• Tips
• Warnings

There is no reason to call a handyman to replace an old or broken doorknob. With the right tools and the right knowledge, you can replace a doorknob at home yourself. To replace the button, you have to remove the old button and replace it with a new one. If you follow the right steps and use the right tools, replacing an internal doorknob will be a cinch.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Removing the doorknob

1. Remove the screws in the front panel of the doorknob, if you can see them. Conventional doorknobs with two screws in the shield. Use a Phillips screwdriver and turn the screws counterclockwise to loosen them. If the screws are loose, the doorknob should also be loose.
   • Use a short screwdriver so it doesn't slip and damage the screws.
2. If there are no visible screws, place a sharp object in the locking hole. You can feel a small indentation or hole on the base attached to the button. When the hole is round, you can push a paper clip or nail into it. If the hole is flat and thin, you can use a slotted screwdriver. Push in the hole to release the button.
3. Pull the internal doorknob off the door. Hold the door with one hand as you pull the knob away from the door. Keep pulling until the knob comes off the door. You may have to wiggle back and forth if the button is stuck to the base.
4. Remove the door shield and screws if there are any. Insert a slotted screwdriver into the notch on the side of the front panel and pry the panel off the door. This should reveal another set of screws. Use a Phillips screwdriver to turn these screws counterclockwise to remove them. Removing these screws disconnects the external knob from the door.
   • If your front panel doesn't have a notch, use a thin tool, such as a utility knife, to gently pry the front panel off the door. If that doesn't work, you can grab the top and bottom of the panel and try turning it counterclockwise. It should come off right away.
5. Remove the knob on the outside of the door. Sometimes you can just pull the external doorknob out of the door and sometimes you have to pry the front panel off the door with a screwdriver. Once the knob is loose, pull to remove it.
   • If the lock cover is covered with paint, remove it with a paring knife before trying again with a screwdriver.
6. Unscrew the latch. There should be two screws, on the top and bottom of the latch. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws.
7. Pull the latch out of the hole in the door. Use a slotted screwdriver to pry the lock plate off the side of the door, then pull out the entire latch. If you have done this successfully, the doorknob and all its parts should now be completely removed from the door.
   • If the latch has no screws, it could be a hammered-in latch that is properly secured in the door. Try to pry it out with a knife or a slotted screwdriver.

Part 2 of 3: Installing a new latch

1. Push the latch into the hole in the door. The latch bolt is the part of the latch that attaches to the door frame to close the door. One side of the bolt is angled while the other side is straight. Position the latch so the straight side of the latch faces the inside of the chamber. This ensures that you can lock the door from the inside.
   • Do not force the latch into the hole. Make the hole bigger until the latch and fits in easily.
2. Align the latch front panel with the screw holes. Line up the holes in the door with the holes in the lock plate so you can screw it in. If there is a notch for the latch in your door, so the latch so that it fits in.
3. Tighten the latch. Attach the lock cover by tightening the screws above and below the latch. Use existing screw holes to drive the new screws.

Part 3 of 3: Installing a doorknob

1. Push the bulges through the holes in the latch. The external doorknob should have three protrusions attached to the knob. These protrusions should line up with the holes on the inside of the latch. Line up the holes on the inside of the latch with the protrusions on the knob and thus the knob through the holes.
   • The center bulge is usually square, while the bulges on the sides are round.
2. Attach the front panel to the door, if applicable. The front panel is the part of the doorknob that sits right against the door and the knob attaches to the door. Align the front panel so that the holes in the panel align with the holes in the external button. Secure the screws with the Phillips screwdriver. Then place the outer plate over the internal plate and attach it to hide your screws.
   • Sometimes the front panel is attached to the button.
   • Hold the front panel as far back as possible to see where to start screwing.
3. If you don't have a front panel, connect the external doorknob to the door. The bulges on the external doorknob should stick out on the other side of your door. Take the internal doorknob and align the holes in the knob with the protrusions of the external knob. Once they are aligned, push the internal knob onto the bulges until the knob is tight against the door.
4. Screw the knob to the door. Push the screws through the holes of the internal doorknob. Turn the screws clockwise with a screwdriver to tighten them.
5. Slide the new button onto the base if you have a front panel. The external knob should have a protrusion or base protruding from the other side of the door. Align the hole in the button and the base of the external button. Then push the button to push the base into the hole. You may need to turn the knob left and right until it slides all the way down and locks into place.

Necessities

• Phillips screwdriver
• Slotted screwdriver
• Paper clip or nail
• Ruler or tape measure

Tips

• Keep a hammer and chisel handy as the new lock and door fitting may be a different size than the old one.

Warnings

• Make sure the door is open while replacing the doorknob or you may lock yourself out.