Why is my door slamming? Adjust your door closer

Have you noticed your door slamming shut when it used to close smoothly? Why is the door slamming? Why isn’t the door latching shut like it used to? 

The answer could be simply a change in the season or weather!  Door closers (the mechanical piece mostly found at the top corner of the door) should be checked in every season and adjusted as the weather changes.

Why does the weather affect your door closer? Inside of the door closer is hydraulic fluid. The change in cold or hot weather can can affect the hydraulic fluid and lead to a loss of pressure. 

This can easily be adjusted on the closer itself by adjusting the following areas. 

Most Door Closers have a few simple adjustments:
1. Back Check (last 5-15 degrees of the door opening)
2. Swing Speed (from an open position to the last 5-15 degrees during closing
3. Latching Speed (last 5-15 degrees of the door closing)
4. Spring Strength (how much power or resistance the door closer has)

Tools Needed:
1. Allen Wrench
2. Screw Driver

Ask the Doc is a series of videos where we answer frequently asked questions about Doors, Locks, Keys, Cameras, Key Card Systems and may other items we service, sell and install.
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Main Camera: Nikon D5600
Second Shot: Nikon D7000
Random Action Stuff: GoPro Hero 3
Microphone: Rode VideoMic
Editing: Final Cut Pro
Drone Footage: DJI Mavick Pro
Surveillance Footage: Eagle Eye Networks
Surveillance Cameras: HikVision
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Loc-Doc Security focuses on Electronic Security Integration with Camera Systems and Key Card Systems .
We work with products like Brivo Access Control, Eagle Eye Networks, Open Eye, HikVision, HID and others.
While Electronic Security is a focus, we have been a Door and Lock service company for over 35 years.
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[mandabs]

Thank you for teaching us how to fix this kinda gizmo. My apartment is next to the emergency stairs, and that fireproof door kept slamming and making a terrible noise inside my unit. I just went over there and fixed it. Maintenance couldn’t even figure it out. I feel like MacGiver.

[luthelunatic]

My door has been slamming for forever. I had no idea they could be adjusted, thanks so much for the quick video!

[JosephByrne]

This was really useful. My interior garage door was slamming so hard it shook the house. It took me a while to get it right but it's much better now. You are absolutely right about the adjustments, very small adjustments make a big difference.

[josie]

this video gave me the confidence to take a look at my apartment buildings fire door! it would shake my unit ever time someone entered the building (and apparently no one considers NOT letting the door slam behind them 🙄) i only needed a flathead screwdriver to tighten 1 screw! no cover to remove! thank you!!

[Lexi]

You have no idea how thankful I am to have found this video! We have had a slamming door in our shop for the longest time and we just fixed it in less than 5 minutes! Thank you thank you!

[shannonjones]

Thanks! Got tired of waiting on the maintenance guy at work so we took matters into our own hands and got the job done with your help!

[Vankaner]

Thanks for the clear cut instructions and short quick video. Get the job done is the motto. Much appreciated.

[karenzanes]

Thank you so much. Just fixed the problem with the clear instructions you put forth. I have a chain smoking neighbor who has been using the back door (next to my apartment) every hour on the hour. My entire apartment shakes when he lets the door slam.

[Mountain_Drew]

Thank you! I sent this to a friend of mine who is moving into a new place. I saw that her front door has a door closer similar to this one, and I wanted her to have a door that wouldn't fight against her when closing in case she was being followed. I don't believe she's visited the place yet, so I'm not sure if this will work, but, regardless, this is a really helpful video!

[jamesalphonse]

Thanks for posting this! I will be following this video to make sure that my door does "not" slam for my neighbor just like his does "not" slam for me.

[MrPartrick]

Really appreciate this. Very clear and very helpful

[maplemartpharmacy]

Thank you. It solved my door slamming problem. God bless!

[PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

You're a legend. Helped me heaps.

[owenmclain]

I adjusted mine perfectly and it took several adjustments.

Now it closes completely but doesn't slam shut, and that is exactly what it's supppsed to do.

[photohype]

Extremely helpful video. THANK YOU!!!

[LittleTeacherT]

So very informative and exceedingly helpful. Thank you so much!

[TyphoonScy]

My door often opens on its own when it's windy outside, what should I adjust to keep it from opening in the wind?

[mediacenterman]

Whoever develops a door closer with simple notches on which reduce/increase the speed of closing is going to be a millionaire.

[katefields]

Before watching this video, the FIRST thing you should know is if you remove one of the screws too far, it will spurt oil all over the place and likely destroy your nice door closer. Sadly, that warning was given at the end of the video. Since I was working as I listened along, I heard the man say it just AFTER the oil went splooshing all over the place. 😑😕

[ClavierComposer]

My adjustment screws use a flat head screwdrive. Please, does tightening or loosening the screws make the door close slower? There are no diagrams on my model. Please help!