What Is Lift to Lock on a Multipoint Door Lock?

Lift to lock describes how many multipoint locks work: you lift the handle upward to engage the locking points, then turn the key to fully secure the door.

We see this most often on patio doors, French doors, and entry doors that use multipoint hardware.

What Happens When You Lift the Handle

Lifting the handle moves the internal gearbox and drives the hooks, rollers, or shootbolts into the frame. The key does not usually throw those locking points on its own.If you want a broader picture of how all the parts work together in a multipoint system, see our guide to multipoint lock systems, which breaks down this diagram and explains how the whole mechanism engages from top to bottom.

How to Tell If Your Door Uses Lift to Lock

• The handle lifts upward when locking the door.
• You feel resistance as the locking points engage.
• The key will not turn fully unless the handle has been lifted first.

Why This Matters for Replacement

Some hardware is designed for lift-to-lock operation and some is not. Mixing the wrong style of gearbox or handleset can lead to stiff operation or locks that will not fully engage.