How to Fix a Door Catch-and-Strike for a Dryer With a Sagging Door

The door catch-and-strike mechanism comprises two separate components on your dryer’s door. When you close the door, they connect to prevent the door from swinging open. These parts, however, are made of either plastic or metal and are susceptible to wear-and-tear over time. When they become warped through use, your dryer door will appear to be drooping.

Diagnosing the Door Catch

If it takes very little pressure to open or close the door, the door catch may have worn out. In this situation, you would want to replace the door catch, or else your dryer door would not be able to shut properly.

Diagnosing the Door Strike

A good door strike will give you a solid feel when you are opening or closing the door. Otherwise, you may find that your dryer door does not lock firmly or may even pop open while the appliance is in operation.

What is the Door Catch and the Door Strike?

The door strike is a plastic or metal part. When you close the dryer’s door, the door catch hooks onto the strike and locks the lid as the dryer runs. It activates the door switch when it does this.

The door catch is a hook-like part, regarded as the “male” piece of the closing mechanism, which latches itself to the door strike when the door is closed shut. As you begin to close the door, you will find that the catch is intended to fit into a slot that is located on the body of the dryer.

Where is the Door Catch and the Door Strike Located?

General Location of the Door Catch

The door catch is located along the door’s frame.

General Location of the Door Strike

The door strike is found on the dryer’s cabinet, parallel to the catch when you close the door.

How To Inspect the Door Catch and the Door Strike

1. As with all repairs, begin by unplugging your dryer. If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas supply and disconnect the gas lines.
2. Test the catch and strike by opening and closing the door repeatedly, each time paying attention to how it firmly it shuts. It should make a clicking sound.
3. When the door has latched, pull the door gently to test how easily the door comes open.

How To Access and Remove the Door Catch and the Door Strike

Removing the Door Catch

1. Open the dryer door completely.
2. Pry the catch out of its housing using a flathead screwdriver.
3. Inspect the catch, looking for signs of deformation.

Removing the Door Strike

1. Open the dryer door completely.
2. Locate the door strike and, with a pair of pliers, clamp onto the exposed part of the strike.
3. Remove the strike by squeezing the pliers and pulling the strike out of its slot.
4. Inspect the strike’s body for cracks.

FIX TIP

Some dryer models may have the catch and the strike reversed. If your dryer has the strike on the door and catch on the cabinet, slip a putty knife behind the catch to access the metal bracket holding it in the cabinet. Use your needle nose pliers to squeeze the metal bracket and pull the catch from the cabinet.

How to Install a New Door Catch and Door Strike

Installing the Door Catch

1. Press the new catch into its slot, ensuring that the line going down the catch is vertical.
2. Close the dryer door.
3. Check if the catch-and-strike mechanism locks properly. When you close the door, you should hear the mechanism click together when they connect.
4. Plug the appliance back in.

Installing the Door Strike

1. Snap the new strike into place.
2. Close the dryer door.
3. Check if the catch-and-strike mechanism locks properly. When you close the door, you should hear the mechanism click together when they connect.
4. Plug the appliance back in.

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