A broken sliding door lock can leave you feeling vulnerable, especially if it’s your main patio exit. While you’re waiting for a pro to save the day, there are some temporary fixes you can try to keep things secure. In this no-nonsense guide, we’re sharing DIY emergency tips for handling a busted sliding door lock.

From using a broomstick for extra reinforcement to tightening loose screws, we’ll walk you through safe, simple tricks our team recommends. We’ll also flag what *not* to do—because forcing a lock can make things worse. These are short-term bandaids, not permanent solutions, so we’ll point you toward next steps for a proper repair.

Don’t panic if your lock’s acting up! Let’s get your sliding door secured with these quick fixes until help’s on the way.