When an interior door will not latch, the latch itself is rarely the only thing to inspect. A door works as a system: hinges carry the slab, the jamb holds the opening, the strike receives the latch, and the reveal shows whether everything is sitting square.
The first sign is usually rubbing, bouncing, or a latch bolt that lands above or below the strike plate. Tightening hinge screws can help, but short screws often loosen again because they only bite into the jamb. A longer screw into framing can pull a sagging hinge side back into position.
If the door has an uneven gap at the top or latch side, the opening may have shifted. That calls for careful adjustment instead of simply carving the strike plate larger. Oversized strike holes can make the door look worse and still fail to close cleanly.
Paint buildup, swollen edges, and flooring changes can also affect swing clearance. A professional repair checks hinge load, slab clearance, strike alignment, and casing movement before deciding whether the door needs adjustment, planing, or replacement.
The goal is a quiet close, a clean reveal, and a latch that catches without lifting, slamming, or forcing the knob.