ORIGINAL REDDIT POST
Sliding door locked!
Just earlier, I saw this switch on the side of my sliding door to the deck. Intrigued, I flipped it down and back up, but now my sliding door is locked no matter how I tried. I believe some of the internal locking mechanism is broken due to its old age.…
Just earlier, I saw this switch on the side of my sliding door to the deck. Intrigued, I flipped it down and back up, but now my sliding door is locked no matter how I tried. I believe some of the internal locking mechanism is broken due to its old age. Anyone knows a way to fix it? Open it up? Or, who should I ask for help, locksmith or door installation company? Thank you!
Collected discussion
Problem solved. Popped off the side wood panel, reveled the locking mechanism, pulled down the protruding metal piece. Phewww :)
classic case of curiosity got the cat, that switch is probably a child lock or secondary latch that was already half broken from age, now its stuck in locked position. try to push the door firmly into the frame while flipping the switch, sometimes the alignment needs that extra pressure to release
I would try and squirt WD40 in wherever you can and wiggle the mechanism to see if you can get it loose.