It can be frustrating if your front door is stuck when you turn your key, and it won’t open. You may call a locksmith to get inside your home or business, but that can be expensive. You may also find yourself trapped outside with no way back in unless someone comes to your rescue.

Many reasons will cause the house’s front door won’t open from the inside or the outside; let us analyze these possible reasons and give advice on how to open a jammed door.

Check your house door.

The first thing you need to do is check your house door. Then you can know what problem causes the house’s front door not to open.

• Check the door is closed properly and that you have locked it.
• Check nothing is blocking the door from closing, such as furniture or other items. You may need to move these objects out of the way or close them behind you when coming in through a window instead.
• If you can open your house’s front door but have problems locking it again once inside, this may indicate that something is causing it not to lock properly (e.g., something stuck in the keyhole).
• If you have problems with your door not locking or unlocking, it’s important to ensure the lock is in good working order. You may need to replace a worn-out lock or clean it thoroughly and ensure nothing is blocking access to the keyhole (e.g., dirt buildup).
• If that doesn’t work, try pushing on the part of the frame around where your deadbolt is installed (on either side). If dirt or something prevents it from properly locking into place, removing this obstruction may allow you to unlock your door and open it manually.

Door Frame Warping

If you have a warped entry door frame, the door will not close properly and can cause lock problems. The frame holds the door in place, so when there’s a misalignment or split in the wood, it will be difficult for your lock to do its job properly. Here are two things you need to check first:

• Check the door frame for dents. If it is slightly bent, you may be able to open it by bending it back into place (with little effort).
• Ensure that your front door isn’t slightly bent, which can interfere with the locking mechanism on your lock.

Two things can cause Door Frame Warping:

• Water damage: This can happen if your home has experienced water damage or if there was water damage in an area where you have recently removed drywall.
• A gap between the door and frame: A gap between the door and the frame causes the door to warp.

Door frames are easy to fix when warped. To fix warped doors, follow these steps:

• Measure out how much wood needs replacing on each side of where it’s been damaged by sticking a pencil through one side into another piece of wood inside the wall; this will help keep track of how many parts need replacing while saving time later on when measuring out materials needed for repairs
• Cut new pieces from any spare lumber using different saws depending on what type will work best for them (screwdrivers for small screws/nails vs. circular saws for bigger ones).
• Please ensure these fit snugly against each other and tight enough that no gaps exist between them when assembled back together after being painted or stained.

You can check the following video to learn how to fix a warped door:

How to Fix a Warped Plywood Door Without Removing It

The Locking Mechanism Is Broken

If the lock is broken, then it will not be possible for you to open the door manually. The problem could be due to a variety of reasons. The latch, handle, and lock mortise could all be malfunctioning.

The handle on your front door may have become loose and detached from its fitting. Or maybe, if you have double-glazed doors, there could be some issue with the locking mechanism inside your property’s frame that prevents it from being closed properly after opening.

If this is likely the case, we recommend contacting an experienced locksmith. They will be able to thoroughly inspect the external and internal mechanisms behind your front door and let you know what needs fixing so that everything can work as intended again!

The Lock Was Installed Incorrectly

Now, you need to check whether or not the door lock was installed correctly.

Sometimes, a bad installation will result in a door lock that won’t open from the inside or outside. To check this, you should take off the strike plate of your front door and ensure it is installed properly.

You can also check if any loose nails or screws around your door frame might have caused this problem. If something looks wrong, you must call a locksmith to come out and fix it.

Check the lock and ensure it’s installed correctly if you have a deadbolt. If you have a doorknob, check the door and ensure it is installed correctly.

Regardless of your type of lock, check the door frame for any damage or issues that may interfere with the proper locking/unlocking function.

The Door Jam Is Rotted

If your door jam is rotted, likely, it won’t open. The door jam is the wood between the hinges and the lock. If this could be the issue, check for any rot in this area by pulling out some of the wood around it. If there are gaps or cracks, you know this needs replacing.

If there’s no rot on either side but something jammed between the door and its frame, try removing whatever it is with pliers or tweezers. If this doesn’t work and you still can’t open your front door from the inside or outside, call an expert to get help.

To fix a rotted door jam:

1. Remove old materials and replace them with new ones;
2. Use a hammer and nails or screwdriver for fastening materials together;
3. Fill holes with putty (a type of clay); sand down rough edges;
4. Paint over the entire surface with primer first before applying the top coat;
5. Replace the lock if necessary, and test your door to ensure it opens.

Also, you can check the following video to learn how to fix a rotted door jam:

HOW TO REPAIR ROTTED DOOR JAMB

To avoid this problem in future years, keep your exterior walls well-insulated so they don’t contract or expand too much with changing temperatures.

Door Swollen

A door may not open, close, lock, or latch properly if it has swollen. You can try to forcefully shut the door by pushing on it from the outside.

When dealing with a swollen door, your first step is identifying the problem. If your front door doesn’t open or close, there could be several issues.

The most common reason for this is weather-related: when it rains or snows, moisture seeps into cracks in the door and causes swelling between the lock and casing where they meet (or along any other joints). This can sometimes lead to doors that become difficult to open even if they aren’t swollen—but luckily, you can usually fix them yourself.

In some cases, doors might swell up due to an internal issue, like damage from an animal trying to enter your home or being forced open by someone outside. In this case, you may need further assistance from professionals like locksmiths who specialize in repairing damage caused by intruders on residential properties.

Door Hardware Faulty

Door hardware is part of the door that holds it in place. It can be broken, loose, misaligned, or stripped. Door hardware may also be worn out and rusted or corroded.

To troubleshoot this issue:

• Turn the knob or lever to ensure it moves freely if the door is locked. If you don’t hear any resistance when you turn them, your problem lies with your lock instead of other parts of your door hardware.
• Examine where each hardware piece connects (the hinge plates, strike plate, and locking assembly). Ensure there’s no rust or corrosion on any part of these connections that could prevent them from working smoothly together. If there is rust/corrosion present, then carefully scrape away any grime/rust until clean metal shows up again – this should fix most problems caused by faulty door hinges!
• Check door things: The hinges attach to your home’s frame, allowing a door to open and close. They’re one of the most common culprits behind doors that won’t open properly because they’re responsible for attaching the top edge of an entry to its frame, allowing it to swing smoothly on its hinges. If not cared for properly or exposed to too much moisture (e.g., rain), hinges can corrode or rust out, causing them not to work as well as before!
• Misaligned hinges cause problems with opening doors because even though everything else looks fine from an outside perspective (i.e., no cracks visible), there may be something wrong inside. If your door is sticking or squeaking when it opens and closes, check the hinge screws first to see if they are loose. If they aren’t flexible, then try tightening them with a screwdriver.

Doorknob or handle Assembly Problem

Your doorknob is an important part of your door. Without it, you’d have to open your front door by hand. This would be difficult and time-consuming and could cause injury if the knob was hard to turn or didn’t have enough traction.

If you notice that your knob is loose or broken, don’t panic! You might be able to fix the problem yourself. You can find new handle replacement parts at your local hardware store.

If you can get inside without using a key or knob (for example, if there is an open window nearby), that may mean only one thing: someone has locked themselves out of their house!

The latch is broken.

If the latch is broken, you can replace it first.

If the latch is not broken, try lubricating it with WD-40 and see if that helps. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to apply some lubricant to the latch mechanism of your door, and then close and open your door several times to work any excess lube into the locking mechanism.

If this doesn’t work, it could be that the lock itself is broken. This often happens when people try to break into your home, but if you think this is not an issue, check other parts of your front door lock. It could simply be that a latch or handle has fallen off and needs to be replaced.

Frozen Door Hardware

Another common problem with a door is that the internal mechanisms become frozen. This can be caused by various factors: cold temperatures, moisture, excessive use, or even rusting over time. Regardless of what causes it, the solution is easy and cheap.

All you need to do is apply some lubricant (WD40 works well) to all moving parts, including hinges and latch mechanisms. The process may sound complicated, but in reality, it’s quite simple:

1. Spray some lubricant onto the metal parts; repeat until they’re moving smoothly again;
2. Wipe off any excess with a rag or paper towel;
3. Test your repair by pulling on both sides of the door;
4. If it opens easily, then congratulations! You’ve fixed your problem without spending any money.

However, if you still have problems with your door, there is one final solution. You can call a professional or attempt to fix it yourself with the right tools and know-how.

Check this video to learn how to solve a Frozen Door Hardware:

Door Stuck Closed with a frozen latch

Torn Weatherstripping Materials

The weatherstripping around your door is there to help keep the elements out of your home. It comes in two basic types: rubber and plastic.

Rubber weatherstripping is more durable than its plastic counterpart, but both will do a fantastic job keeping cold air and wind out of your house.

However, both types can be torn or damaged by pests, weather, and even normal wear and tear. If you have torn or damaged weatherstripping around your front door frame, it might not protect your home as well as it should—which means air leaks through the opening!

The most common causes of torn or damaged doors are woodpeckers (those birds with the long bills) who peck at holes in the wood siding where they nest; storms that damage exterior walls; termites that eat away at wooden frames, even regular wear-and-tear over time causing cracks in interior doorsills (also known as thresholds).

If you don’t want any of these problems happening at home – especially during those cold winter months when everything seems more drafty – then fix those doorways ASAP!

The key is stuck in the lock.

If you’ve been unable to open your door, the key is probably stuck in the lock. There are a few things you can try.

First, ensure it is your house key, not just any old one lying around. If so, try another one or two keys from your house keys.

If none of those work, try sliding a thin object (like a credit card) between the door and frame to push the stuck part of the key out. If none help, even after multiple attempts and different people trying them independently, you may need some WD-40 or another lubricant to loosen up whatever is making this happen.

A bolt is locking the door from the inside.

Now that you’ve checked the outside of your door, it’s time to review the inside.

• Check for a bolt locking the door from the inside. Some older entries have this feature built into them, but it can be easily removed. If you have one, turn it 90 degrees clockwise until it’s flush with the hinge side of your window frame (you’ll feel a satisfying click when it does). The bolt will prevent anyone on either side of your door from opening or closing unless they know how to disengage it.
• Check for broken parts like latches, handles, and locks—these may need repairs or replacement depending on their age and condition. You might also be unable to use your key because It’s stuck in the lock (this happens more often than you think).
• Your latch is broken altogether—the knob won’t turn when locked unless you’re using some tool with enough force applied against its mechanism (even then, risks are involved). Your lock is rusted or dirty and won’t turn. Your handle is loose (and sometimes, this can be fixed with a hammer).

Try lubricating any problem areas.

If you’ve tried everything else, lubricate any problem areas and see if it affects your problem.

You can try lubricating the hinges, lock, door frame, and door jam:

• Lubricate the hinges with WD-40 or a similar oil spray. Let it sit for a minute before you test the door again. If this fixes your issue, great! If not, move on to another step in this process.
• Spray silicone spray inside your lock mechanism (the cylinder). Let it sit for a few minutes, then try opening the door again by turning the knob or using the key fob if applicable. Suppose this fixes your issue; great! If not, move on to another step in this process.
• Spray silicone spray onto all visible parts of your frame where there would be friction between them (usually at doors where they meet other structures like walls). Let it sit for a few minutes, then try opening it again by turning either knob or using the key fob if applicable.

Get help from a professional.

If you can’t open your front door from the inside or outside, it’s time to call a locksmith. Locksmiths are trained to help with all kinds of door-related problems and will have the tools necessary to fix any issue that may arise.

Getting in touch with a professional is also important if you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn lock or an emergency where breaking down the door is the only option.