What Are Common Window Latch Problems?

Window latches are small pieces of hardware that do a big job — they keep your windows sealed, secure, and weather-tight. When they fail, you might notice drafts, difficulty opening or closing your windows, or a lock that just won’t catch. The good news is that most window latch problems fall into a handful of categories, and nearly all of them are fixable. Here’s what we see most often on service calls throughout the Chicagoland area.

The Latch Won’t Engage or Catch

This is the number one complaint we hear. You close the window, flip or turn the latch, and it doesn’t grab — it just slides past the strike plate or keeper without locking into place. The most common cause is misalignment. Over time, the window sash can settle or shift slightly within the frame, especially in older homes where the structure has moved. Even a sixteenth of an inch of misalignment can prevent the latch from engaging. The fix often involves adjusting the strike plate, shimming the sash, or in some cases replacing the latch with one that has a slightly different throw.

The Latch Is Stuck or Frozen in Place

If the latch won’t move at all, paint is usually the culprit. When windows get painted — especially older wood windows — the paint seeps into the latch mechanism and essentially glues it shut. Dirt, dust, and humidity can also cause internal corrosion that locks the mechanism in place. In milder cases, carefully scoring the paint line with a utility knife and applying a silicone-based lubricant can free it up. If the internal spring or cam is corroded beyond function, the latch will need to be replaced entirely.

The Latch Is Loose or Wobbly

A latch that flops around loosely usually means the mounting screws have stripped out or the latch housing itself has cracked. With vinyl and aluminum windows, the screw holes in the sash can widen over time with repeated use. Sometimes this can be fixed by using slightly longer or wider screws, or by filling the stripped holes and re-drilling. If the latch housing is cracked, you’ll need a replacement part — attempting to glue or tape a broken latch is a temporary fix at best.

“Latch problems are probably 40% of our window repair calls. People think the window is broken, but it’s really just a small piece of hardware that’s worn out or shifted out of position. Once you identify the actual problem, the fix is usually pretty simple.”

The Latch Works but Doesn’t Seal the Window Tightly

Sometimes the latch engages but the window still feels drafty or rattles in the wind. This usually means the latch is no longer pulling the sash tight against the frame and weatherstripping. The latch cam or hook may be worn down and not drawing the sash in far enough, or the weatherstripping itself may have compressed or deteriorated over the years. Replacing the latch with a new one restores that tight draw, and fresh weatherstripping completes the seal.

Broken Tilt Latches on Double-Hung Windows

If you have double-hung windows that tilt inward for cleaning, you’re probably familiar with the small tilt latches at the top of the lower sash. These are spring-loaded plastic clips that release the sash so it can pivot. They’re one of the most frequently broken window components we see — the plastic tabs snap off from repeated use or if they’re forced when the window is slightly misaligned. The good news is that tilt latches are inexpensive and relatively easy to replace if you can find the right match for your window brand and model.

When to Call a Professional

If your latch problem is a simple case of needing lubrication or tightening a loose screw, that’s an easy DIY fix. But if the latch is broken, the window is misaligned, or you can’t identify the correct replacement part, it’s worth having a professional handle it. Using the wrong latch or forcing a misaligned window can cause further damage to the sash or frame, escalating a minor repair into a major one.