How to Fix a Sagging Door or Misaligned Cabinet Door Hinge

A door that rubs the frame, sticks at the top corner or no longer latches is one of the most common household annoyances. In most cases the door itself is fine. The problem is the hinge: loose screws, a bent hinge knuckle or a hinge that has shifted over time.

Step 1: Find out where the door is rubbing

• Rubbing at the top on the latch side usually means the top hinge is loose or the door has dropped.
• A gap at the top and rubbing at the bottom often points to the bottom hinge.
• The latch misses the strike plate means the door has moved up, down or sideways.

Close the door slowly and look at the gap around the edge. An even gap of about 1/8 inch is what you are aiming for.

Step 2: Tighten the hinge screws

Open the door and check every screw on every hinge. Tighten any that are loose. If a screw just spins, the hole is stripped. See our guide to fixing stripped screw holes, or use door hinge repair screws, which grip in worn holes.

Step 3: Adjust the hinge

If the screws are tight and the door still rubs, the hinge knuckle can be bent very slightly to move the door. A door hinge adjustment wrench fits over the knuckle so you can make small, controlled adjustments. Work in small steps and check the gap after each one.

For cabinet and cupboard doors, a hinge alignment wrench helps you fine-tune doors that sit unevenly.

Step 4: Replacing or adding hinges

If a hinge is damaged, replace it with one of the same size. When fitting new hinges or a new lock, a hinge and lock positioning kit helps you mark the recesses in the right place.

When to call a professional

If the frame itself has moved, the door is cracked, or it is a fire door, get a professional to check it.

Find more repair tools in Utility Tools.