Skip to content A door closer is one of those small but powerful devices that we often overlook in daily life. Installed at the top of a door, its job is simple: to ensure the door closes smoothly, safely, and automatically after being opened. From office entrances and hotel rooms to schools and hospitals, door closers are everywhere.
However, just like any mechanical device, door closers are not immune to wear and tear. Over time, you may notice problems such as the door slamming shut, closing too slowly, or even refusing to latch properly. These issues can affect not only the safety of the building but also the comfort of people using the doors.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most common problems of door closers, their causes, and practical solutions. We’ll also share preventive maintenance tips and guidance on when to replace your closer instead of repairing it.
What is a Door Closer and How It Works
Before diving into the problems, it’s important to understand how a door closer works.
A door closer is a mechanical device that automatically closes a door after it has been opened. The core mechanism usually includes:
• A spring that provides the closing force.
• Hydraulic fluid (oil) that regulates speed and prevents slamming.
• Adjustment valves that control closing speed and latching speed.
• An arm that connects the door closer body to the door frame.
Types of Door Closers
• Surface-mounted door closer – the most common, visible on the door frame or door surface.
• Concealed door closer – hidden within the frame or the door leaf, used for aesthetics.
• Floor spring door closer – installed in the floor, commonly used for glass doors or heavy doors.
Most modern door closers are made of aluminum alloy for the body (durable, lightweight, corrosion-resistant) and steel for the arms and internal parts. Cover plates may come in stainless steel, brass, or other finishes for appearance.
Common Problems of a Door Closer
1.Door Slams Shut Too Fast
One of the most noticeable issues is when the door closes too quickly, slamming shut and creating a loud noise. This can be dangerous, especially in places like hospitals, schools, or homes with children.
Possible causes:
• Closing speed valve is incorrectly adjusted.
• Hydraulic oil has leaked, reducing resistance.
• Internal spring is damaged or worn out.
Solutions:
• Adjust the closing speed valve (usually marked on the closer body).
• Check for oil leakage; if oil is leaking, replacement is usually required.
• If the spring is broken, the entire closer must be replaced.
2.Door Closes Too Slowly
At the other extreme, some doors take forever to close. This may cause air-conditioning loss in commercial buildings or allow pests and insects to enter.
Possible causes:
• Over-adjusted speed valve.
• Cold weather thickening the hydraulic oil.
• Internal wear slowing the mechanism.
Solutions:
• Adjust the speed control valve for faster closing.
• Make seasonal adjustments: tighten valves in winter, loosen in summer.
• If adjustment doesn’t help, consider replacing the closer.
3.Door Doesn’t Latch Completely
A common frustration is when the door almost closes but doesn’t click into the latch, leaving a small gap.
Possible causes:
• Latch speed valve not properly adjusted.
• Misalignment of the strike plate or latch.
• Door closer size too weak for the door weight.
Solutions:
• Adjust the latch speed valve separately from the main closing speed.
• Check and realign the latch or strike plate.
• Upgrade to a stronger closer if the current one is underpowered.
4.Oil Leakage from Door Closer
Among all door closer problems, oil leakage is the most critical. Unlike minor issues such as loose screws or incorrect speed settings, oil leakage indicates that the hydraulic system inside the closer has failed.
Why Hydraulic Oil is Important？
The hydraulic oil inside a door closer plays two key roles:
1. Controls the speed – It flows through adjustable valves to regulate closing and latching speed.
2. Protects the mechanism – It lubricates the spring and internal parts, reducing friction and wear.
When oil leaks out, the door closer can no longer control speed properly. This leads to slamming doors, safety risks, and eventually, total failure of the closer.
Common Causes of Oil Leakage
• Worn-out seals – Rubber or synthetic seals around the piston can degrade over time.
• Physical damage – Impact on the door or closer body can crack the aluminum housing.
• Overuse and aging – After years of heavy use, internal parts wear out, creating gaps for oil to escape.
• Low-quality closer – Cheap models often have poor sealing technology and thinner housing materials.
Signs That Your Door Closer is Leaking Oil
• Visible oil stains on the closer body, arm, or floor under the door.
• Greasy surface on the closer or nearby wall.
• Door suddenly slams shut or loses speed control.
• Reduced resistance when pushing the door open.
Risks of Ignoring Oil Leakage
• Safety hazard – A slamming door can injure people, especially children or the elderly.
• Fire safety compromise – On fire-rated doors, a failed closer may prevent the door from closing properly in an emergency.
• Mess and damage – Leaked oil can stain walls, floors, and carpets.
• Total failure – Once the oil is gone, the closer will stop working entirely.
Solutions for Oil Leakage
Unfortunately, oil leakage cannot be repaired. Adding more oil is not a safe or lasting solution because the seals are already damaged. The only practical fix is:
• Replace the entire door closer with a new one.
• When replacing, choose a closer with high-quality sealing and aluminum alloy housing.
• For high-traffic or fire-rated doors, always select a certified, heavy-duty model.
5.Strange Noises (Squeaking, Knocking, Grinding)
A door closer should operate quietly. If you hear squeaks, grinding, or knocking sounds, something is wrong.
Possible causes:
• Lack of lubrication in the arm joint.
• Loose mounting screws.
• Worn internal components.
Solutions:
• Apply lubricant to the arm joints (avoid oiling inside the closer body).
• Tighten mounting screws on the arm and closer body.
• Replace if noises persist after adjustments.
6.Door Closer Arm is Loose or Misaligned
If the arm of the door closer is not aligned correctly, the door may not close smoothly.
Possible causes:
• Improper installation.
• Screws loosening over time.
• Heavy usage causing misalignment.
Solutions:
• Tighten or replace screws.
• Re-install the arm according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check whether the closer strength matches the door’s weight.
7.Door Requires Too Much Force to Open
While door closers are designed to close doors automatically, they should not make opening the door too difficult.
Possible causes:
• Spring tension set too high.
• Incorrect closer size for door weight.
• Improper installation.
Solutions:
• Adjust the spring tension (if adjustable).
• Replace with a properly sized closer according to EN ratings or ANSI standards.
• Re-check installation alignment.
8.Door Closer Affected by Temperature Changes
Many users notice their door closer works differently in summer and winter.
Possible causes:
• Hydraulic oil becomes thicker in cold weather, slowing down the door.
• Oil thins in hot weather, making the door close too fast.
Solutions:
• Make seasonal adjustments to the valves.
• Consider investing in an all-weather or temperature-stable door closer.
How to Troubleshoot a Door Closer (Step-by-Step)？
If you’re not sure what’s wrong, here’s a quick troubleshooting guide:
1. Visual inspection – Check for oil leaks, loose screws, or bent arms.
2. Test closing speed – Open the door fully and observe how it closes.
3. Check latching – Does the door click into place at the end?
4. Adjust control valves – Use a screwdriver to fine-tune speed and latch.
5. Decide repair vs. replace – If leaking oil or badly worn, replacement is best.
How to Prevent Door Closer Problems？
Prevention is always better than repair. A few maintenance habits can extend the life of your door closer:
• Regularly tighten screws to prevent loosening.
• Clean dust and dirt from the closer body and arm.
• Lubricate joints occasionally (but not inside the hydraulic body).
• Choose the correct closer strength during installation.
• Inspect seasonally and make small valve adjustments.
When to Replace a Door Closer Instead of Repairing？
Some issues cannot be fixed by adjustment. You should replace your door closer if:
• It has oil leakage.
• The spring is broken.
• The closer is too weak for the door weight.
• It has been in service for many years with frequent problems.
Choosing the Right Door Closer for Your Door
When buying a new door closer, consider:
• Door weight & width – Match the closer strength (EN size 2–6 or ANSI Grade).
• Usage frequency – Heavy-traffic areas need heavy-duty closers.
• Installation type – Surface, concealed, or floor spring.
• Fire rating – Fire doors must use certified fire-rated closers.
• Appearance – Covers and finishes (aluminum, stainless steel cover, bronze, etc.).
Investing in a high-quality aluminum alloy door closer with strong sealing ensures fewer problems and longer life.
Conclusion
Door closers are essential for safety, energy efficiency, and convenience. However, problems such as slamming, slow closing, oil leakage, or misalignment are common over time. The good news is that most issues can be solved by simple adjustments or preventive maintenance.
When troubleshooting doesn’t help, replacing the closer with a properly sized, high-quality model is the best solution.
At DORTEC Hardware, we provide reliable, durable door closers designed to handle high-traffic use and minimize common problems. With the right closer installed, you’ll enjoy smooth, quiet, and safe door operation for years.
