Broken handle on hollow core interior door, how to fix
 

My roommate didn't realize the door knobs on our coat/storage closet doors were actually decorative door pulls, tried to turn the handle as if it were a normal door, and broke it off.

It looks like previous tenants did the same thing as it was re-mounted crooked and glued.

I want to re-mount it straight, any ideas how to do this?

I was thinking of spraying some expanding hardening foam in the door, wood-gluing some dowel into the holes and then re-mounting the handle screws into that...

Pics:

https://i.minus.com/jFCjMRRLcs6w.JPG

https://i.minus.com/jbjAizJUjFJu5V.JPG

https://i.minus.com/jbyqfum89KvIDW.JPG

any pics of the front of the pull?

I guess you can't just place the screws horizontally, rather than vertically?

Front of the pull looks like the handle on the right on the third picture.

Can't place the screws in a different angle as the bracket that holds it in place is fixed in one position and non-adjustable, if I put it in horizontally the handle would point vertically.

I would use hollow wall anchors. Tap into hole+screw into them=winning.

Then tell your roommate to not hulk their way into the closet.

How about using nuts with a washer and bolt at the back instead of screws.

That's the first thing I thought of too

The backside of the door is finished (i.e. flat, no holes) I'd prefer not to drill holes through if possible to screw it in from the rear.

I was thinking wall anchors but the door is so thin and weak, it seems like it's a 1/8" thick compressed cardboard or something, not sure if standard screw/hammer in wall anchors will have enough material to grip onto to hold it in. Was thinking maybe toggle-bolts but not sure if they make any that small in diameter.

How about getting some construction adhesive. Fill the holes and dab the screws and back of the plate. Screw in the piece and clamp for a couple of hours.

Stuff like Liquid Nails and similar is pretty strong.

Toggler Snaptoggle | Install Toggle Bolts, Toggle bolt installation, Anchor bolt installation

or

Drill new holes in the base of the handle, since there's a cover for them anyways.

U can try to stick those bamboo chopsticks into holes on the door. Cut of the excessive that's sticking out. Now u can put back to door handle with those screws. Give it a try
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Or fill the holes with epoxy?

Was able to find basic toggle anchors to fit inside the door JUST BARELY. The issue was the length of the screw in the toggle anchor was too long for the inside of the door, had to try three times to find the proper length of bolt (too short the toggle wouldn't open up inside the door).

Fixed it nice and secure.