How to Remove a Doorknob in 4 Easy Steps

Instructions

Preparation Before Removing a Doorknob With No Screws

Before removing any doorknob, make sure that the door stays open. Removing the doorknob while the door is closed could leave you stuck on the wrong side of the door until someone can help you. Using a doorstop works great, although you could accidentally kick it and have the door close on you. The best solution is to put a towel between the door and frame to ensure it won't close.

When you remove a doorknob with no screws, dust, or dirt stuck inside, the doorknob will fall out. If it is a tile floor and you don't mind vacuuming or sweeping, floor protection isn't needed, but if it is a delicate carpet that is light in color and you don't want any dirt on it, follow this tip:

• Take an old newspaper or magazine and tape a few pages together.
• Make sure that it is the width of the door, and if it is too big, take a scissor and cut it to the width of the door.
• Slide it under the door so that the newspaper or magazine covers a fair protection surface for you to stand on and catch any dirt or dust that can fall when you remove the doorknob.
• Secure the corners of the newspaper or magazine with a weight or masking tape that won't damage the carpet.

Once you have prepared the work area so that you can comfortably work without any worry of dirt ruining your floor or carpet and you have your tool ready, you can start to remove the screwless doorknob. Here are the four steps to remove a doorknob with no screws:

Step 1. Push the Release Latch to Remove the Knob

There is the locking type doorknob and the non-locking type doorknob. The removal method for a locking and non-locking doorknob is the same, except for the locking doorknob; ensuring the door stays open is essential.

The screwless doorknob has a release latch that needs to be pushed in to release the doorknob. Follow these steps to find and push the release latch:

• Take the flat screwdriver in your strong hand because you will need both hands for this step.
• Slightly twist the doorknob ant-clockwise with one hand until you see a thin latch. It should be on the collar of the doorknob where the knob narrows to the door.
• Holding the doorknob where you can see the release latch, take the flat screwdriver and push the release latch. Pushing the release latch will disable the locking mechanism that holds the knob secure to the door.

Often the release latch is stuck due to rust. If your release latch is stuck, you can take a bit of oil or WD40 and spray it into the release latch. Lubricating the latch will help release it so that you can properly push it to release the doorknob.

Step 2. Remove the Doorknob

The release latch has a spring that pushes the latch to prevent the doorknob from coming off.

The doorknob can freely slide out after the release latch spring is compressed. Follow this step to remove the doorknob:

• While holding the release latch with the flat screwdriver, pull the knob towards you with the hand holding the doorknob. It might need a little wiggling, but if you push the release latch deep enough, the doorknob should slide.

If the doorknob is stubborn and does not want to come off, spray some WD40 to lubricate the inside. Wedge a doorstop under the door; the doorstop will keep the door from moving so that you can pull a bit harder.

Step 3. Remove the Cover Plate (Rose Plate)

The ornate plate that goes around your doorknob is called a rose. The cover plate needs to be removed to reveal the mounting screws. Sometimes the rose (cover plate) comes off with the doorknob. If it does not, follow these steps to remove it:

• On the side of the rose (cover plate) is a small opening about the size of a flat screwdriver. This opening is right against the door.
• Put the tip of your screwdriver into the tiny gap between the plate and the door.
• Gently pull the flat screwdriver towards you. Be careful not to damage the cover plate because the metal is very thin.
• Once it moves away from the door, take your hand and evenly pull it until it is free from the door and reveals the mounting screws.

If you are scared that the flat screwdriver might damage the door or the rose (cover plate), you can wrap a thin piece of cloth around the tip of the screwdriver to help avoid scratches to the door or cover plate.

Step 4. Remove Mounting Screws and Locking Mechanism  

At this stage of removing the doorknob, there are only two screws between you and successfully removing a doorknob with no screws. These are the last steps needed to remove a screwless doorknob:

• Take the Phillips screwdriver and loosen the two mounting screws. The two mounting screws don't need to be taken off fully; it just needs to be loosened to the point where the mounting plate can twist clockwise and be removed.
• Twist and remove the mounting plate. At this point, you will be glad you prepped the floor with old newspapers or magazines because if there is any dust or dirt, it will most likely fall onto the floor or carpet.
• After removing the mounting plate, the other side of the door should slide out. When you slide out the other side of the doorknob, be careful not to let the lock cylinder fall into the door if it is a hollow core door. You can remove the doorknob's other side if it is a solid door.
• The final step in removing a doorknob with no screws is to remove the lock cylinder and complete your DIY screwless doorknob project.

If your screwless doorknob is fitted in a hollow core door, after removing the cover plate, first slide out the lock cylinder before removing the other side of the doorknob.

After removing the doorknob with no screws, carefully place all the loose parts in a box or bag so that all the components are there if you refit the doorknob.