Wood can swell after rain, making a fence gate drag or miss its latch. A careful adjustment begins with checking hinges and alignment, because moving the latch alone may hide a sagging gate.
Find the contact point
Open and close the gate slowly and look for rubbing at the ground, post, or latch side. Tighten loose hinge screws only if the wood is solid. Replace stripped fasteners with suitable exterior hardware.
Align the latch
Support the gate at its normal height and mark where the latch meets the receiver. Move the receiver only enough for reliable engagement, keeping the gate secure against wind and pets.
Protect the repair
Seal newly exposed wood and keep soil away from the bottom edge. After the wood dries, check the fit again; a gate that remains twisted or sagging may need structural repair.
Seasonal inspection keeps a small weather-related adjustment from becoming a broken hinge or post.