The door originally came with a temporary handle, which is a square rod that is bent 90 degrees.

Take an allen wrench and loosen the set screw under one of the handles. Have one person go to the other side of the door and hold the handle. If you both pull the handle will come off one side and the handle and spindle will come off the other side. Insert the temporary handle and then hit it with the hammer....a sharp blow. It'll open right up.

It probably got stuck because: 1)the keeper was adjusted too tight 2)the door is warped 3)the entire unit is twisted.

Good luck!
John

John: Thanks so much. We'll look for the temporary handle and give this a go.

With appreciation,

Kathy & Patrick

Just a follow-up in case this information would help someone else.

The "fix" for post-2005 Frenchwood Patio Doors (at least the in-swing version in which both doors open) is to do the following -- as per our conversation with the Anderson customer service folks. Standing on the inside, grab the handle on the "active" door and simultaneously push out (forward) and down just as hard as you can. To accomplish this, it took me pushing out on the door and my husband pushing down on the handle. And, lo, the door unlocked! As the lady on the phone said, "you think you're going to break the handle, but you won't."

Now we need to investigate why the door ended up in the locked position (and would not budge) in the first place. The lady on the phone said that usually it's an alignment problem brought on by settling of the house.

In any case, if anyone else runs into this problem, here's the approach for getting the door open again.

THank you just just happened to me as well....And that did work to unlock it but every time I lock the door again it gets stuck again...=(

We have a Hurd Hinged patio door. Similar situation. For latching, one is "passive" and the other is "active." To lock the doors, you pull up on the passive door handle, then pull up on the active door handle, then you can turn the latch for the deadbolt.

We have the door handle stuck in the locked position and the deadbolt won't turn.

Any suggestion greatly appreciated.

In both instances (Andersen and Hurd door), it sounds like you need to replace the lock box on the active door. It is a pretty simple change out if you have the instructions which should be available on their websites. Should be covered by warranty if less than ten years old. Another situation I have run into is that manufacturers will change suppliers of the lock box so it is a good idea to know the age of the door.

Monnie,

Hi. You might try the same "trick," that worked with the Anderson door, since it sounds like the locking mechanism works in the same way BUT I DO NOT KNOW that it will work. And I'd feel awful if you tried the same approach and it ruined your door!

Here's the company phone number that's listed on the website: 800-223-4873.S You might try that. The Anderson help line person was very helpful. Their help line is only available M-F, but Hurd might have some help available on a Saturday. Give it a try.

Good luck!

The Andersen Window care service line for consumers is 888-888-7020 which is available Monday through Saturday. You can also find installation/adjustment instructions online in the Service section of our website.
www.andersenwindows.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Andersen Windows - Service

Last weekend the handle seized as it was pulled upward to lock the active door. After first removing, oiling and replacing the inside door handle, I repeated the process on the outside door handle with no luck.

Today, I tried Kashmi's July 6, 2011 post regarding pushing out on the door while pushing down on the handle. This senior citizen had to alternate the pushing of door and handle, but with gradual movement of both. Finally gave it all I had left and the door opened! I've oiled the parts not accessible when the doors are closed and they operate better than when new.

Thank you for the knowledge that it was not just this door lock that had jammed and the help to resolve the problem.

I have an Anderson 400 Series Patio Door made in 2005. I had the exact same problem as of 20 minutes ago. I smacked the handle with a hammer (protected by a block of wood), then pressed down hard on the handle...like I thought it was going to break...and it came free. We live near the beach and the sand and salt mist likes to gum things up. Some cleaning and lubrication has solved all the problems. I've had the door locked with the handle in the 'up' position for three weeks. So I'm really grateful for this thread. Zero people in my area work on Andersen doors. Whew!

The door was in the locked position and closed. Seemingly hopeless. I followed the directions given by kashmi (above). I used a block of wood and a rubber mallet to bang hard on the door in the area of the top latch while my wife pushed hard in a doward posiition on the handle…miraculously the door opened. The lock mechanism was stuck and needs to be replaced but at least it is open. THANK YOU.

We have a similar problem except the handle, rather than being stuck, just spins. it is not engaging the latch mechanism. We are on the 2nd floor and the only other exit is thru a window.