How to Adjust a Door Closer

A door closer is a convenient mechanism that keeps your doors closed when anyone walks through. But a malfunctioning door closer can be more than just a nuisance, it can represent a security problem at the office or at home. After all, if a door that's expected to close after you doesn't, that door may sit ajar for hours, which can be a concern if it's an external door to the outside.

Beyond that, you may be interested in how to adjust a door closer because it's closing too slow or more quickly than you may like. Not only can a quickly closing door lead to injury and other issues, but a door that closes too slowly may represent a security risk or let too much of your climate controlled air out, significantly raising your energy bill.

The good news is that you don't need many tools to make a door closer adjustment. Everything from adjusting a door closer to the speed and pressure it needs to function optimally is accomplished with a simple screwdriver, a hex key and a small adjustable wrench. 

What Is a Door Closer?

For the uninitiated, a door closer is basically a device that is responsible for automatically closing a door after it has been opened. It regulates the speed and operation of the door, and they can be mechanical or electromagnetic in nature. Most standard doors have three adjustable valves that all work in concert to ensure that the door closes smoothly. 

One adjustable piece is known as the backcheck, which is an optional feature on door closers that provides resistance as the door is opened so that it doesn't slam into a wall or object behind the opening door. Backcheck is responsible for slowing the door as it's opened and is usually the farthest valve away from the main hinge.

If you're wondering how to adjust a door closer's speed as it's closing, that's the responsibility of the sweep or main speed valve. Located in the middle of the door closer close to the main mechanism, the sweep controls movement of the door from the open position to the latching point. 

Another way to adjust a door closer is via the latching speed valve, which is what controls the speed of the door immediately before it closes or latches shut. Commonly, the valve is located closest to the hinge next to the sweep valve. When in doubt, consult the owner's manual for the location of the valves on your door closer.

However, if the problem with your door closer has less to do with the mechanical nature of the door and more to do with leaking oil from the body of the door closer, you may be dealing with broken seals. Unfortunately, the only way to resolve this is to replace the door closer altogether.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Step One

The first order of business in how to adjust a door closer is to remove the cover. That'll give you access to all the adjustable parts of a door closer. If there are fasteners present, loosen them first before trying to remove the cover.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Step Two

Next, close all the adjustment valves (backcheck, sweep and latching speed) in a clockwise motion until they stop moving and you can't adjust them any further.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Step Three

Start by adjusting the backcheck counterclockwise about a full turn and continue adjusting it until the door is slowed down sufficiently to avoid slamming into any surrounding walls or furniture. Turning the valve counterclockwise will allow the door to open wider while turning it clockwise will limit the door's opening range.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Step Four

After the backcheck has been adjusted, move on to the sweep or main speed of the door. After a turn or two counterclockwise, you'll start to get into the sweet spot. The idea is to adjust the sweep until the door closes at your preferred rate, whereas turning the valve clockwise will slow the closing speed and counterclockwise will speed it up.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Step Five

Now you're ready to make the final adjustment. Turn the latching speed a full revolution or two until you reach your desired snapping speed when the door closes. It'll need to be fast enough to force the door closed, but beyond that it's up to you. Some prefer a slower latching speed to minimize noise while others may prefer a quicker latching speed to ensure that there are no issues when the door is closed. Counterclockwise increases the latching speed while clockwise slows it down.

How To Adjust a Door Closer: Wrapping Up

Once the three main adjustments are done, the only thing left to do is to test the door. Open and close the door several times to get a sense for how the door is currently closing and whether you may need to perform extra adjustments. Keep in mind that slight adjustments can make large changes in how the door operates, so try to keep your adjustments small and controlled. A half or full turn is often a large adjustment while an eighth-inch turn may be just what you need to dial in that door closer.

If you start to get lost in tiny adjustments and you don't feel like you're getting any closer to success, sometimes it can help to start over by closing all the adjustments and giving it another shot. All in, it shouldn't take you more than a few minutes to adjust a door closer, especially once you get the hang of it. While your office may have dozens if not hundreds of doors, it only takes a few minutes to adjust one malfunctioning door to satisfaction.

That said, sometimes the door closer mechanism is no longer working and no amount of adjustments will save the day. As we mentioned earlier, if you see any oil leaking from the door closer, it's likely suffering from broken seals and the only way to fix the door closer is to replace it. Other issues may also require purchasing a door closer replacement.

Here at Trademark Hardware, we sell all types of door closers if you've got a tricky door closer that's no longer functioning. From traditional surface door closers to electromechanical closers, floor closers, overhead concealed closers and more, you'll find the right door closer for your need with us.

Browse our selection of door closers today!