Hinged front door difficult to close. Could this button seems to be the issue

[potterton678]

The hinged front front seems difficult to close.

I suspect that little button where the red arrow is.
What is the purpose of this button, and can it be adjusted?

The button (red arrow) seems to line up with the little knob (green arrow) so I assume they are connected some how.
Thanks

 

[ronniecabers]

The green arrowed knob is a ' snib ' , hold the handle down, then turn it , and it should keep the latch fully retracted. Enables you to use the door without the handle. The red pointed ball , never seen anything like that but guessing to do with locating the door correctly @crank39 will more than likely know for certain.
Are you sure the door isnt just out of alignment? Try lifting the door as you close it and see if that makes it easier, if so its either hinge adjustment ot toe and heel packing.

 

[crank39]

Likely just a spring loaded plunger like on a sliding patio door, it effectively tells the mechanism the door is closed in the frame and will allow the handle to lift to lock, if the handle won't go up when the door is open that's what it'll be, try pressing it in and lifting the handle

Looks like an 80/90s Anglian door especially the white base plate

 

[potterton678]

"Likely just a spring loaded plunger like on a sliding patio door"
That sounds about right. I can press the red plunger in, and sometimes it stays pressed in long enough for me to quickly shut the door, and then the door seems to close ok. Can the plunger be adjusted in and out, it seems like it is sticking out too far (but I could be wrong).

"Looks like an 80/90s Anglian door especially the white base plate"
Most likely. The previous owner had them fitted probably some time ago, but I don't know when.

 

[Mottie]

Every six months or so, our front door is a little stiff to shut. I cure it by lubricating the latch bolt, both the front and back so that it slides more easily. If you don’t have any oil, you can use buttie or olive oil!

 

[potterton678]

"The green arrowed knob is a ' snib ' , hold the handle down, then turn it , and it should keep the latch fully retracted."
It does. And then the door closes easily as it should.