Loose doorknobsare a common problem on frequently used doors around the home.

Sometimes, the doorknob or lever loosens, so it spins on its spindle.

Look around the collar on the doorknob, and identify the set screw that is threaded into the collar.

Loose door handle in open white door closeup

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

This screw may be aflathead screw, a Phillips-head screw, or sometimes a recessed hex-head screw.

Use whicheverscrewdriveror wrench is appropriate to tighten this screw and firm up the doorknob’s grip on the spindle.

Onlever-style handles, you could almost always reach the mounting screws easily.

Materials and tools to fix a loose door handle

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Tighten up the faceplate with a screwdriver.

Tip

Be careful not to over-tighten the mounting plate.

A slotted hole:This key in is usually found on round doorknob hardware sets.

Set screw being tightened on spinning doorknob with screwdriver

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

A button:Button-style detents are often found on less expensive round doorknob hardware sets.

They have a button that is near flush with the surface of the doorknob shaft.

Pry off the faceplatea decorative trim plate that covers the lockset mounting ring.

Loose door handle faceplate being tightened with screwdriver

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

With other styles, the faceplate is threaded and removed by unscrewing counterclockwise.

Tighten the long screws that secure the lockset’s mounting ring to the door.

Tighten them until snug.

Awl point inserted into hidden mounting screw hole on lever-style door handle

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Once the lockset is tight, reinstall the decorative faceplate and the doorknob.