How to Fix a Door

Last Updated: February 3, 2022 References

Temperature, humidity, kids—there are a lot of things that can cause your door to stick or sag over time. No matter whether the problem is with the door itself, the hinges, the latch, or the frame, we have the tips you need to get it sorted out!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

A Door That Won't Close or Latch

1
Check your strike plate. The strike plate, or metal piece on the jam where the door latches, might be placed too low or too high. This should always be the first thing you check when identifying a door that's not closing correctly. Look for marks on the strike plate that show the latch going above or below the hole. If you see these marks, use a metal file to file down the hole of the strike plate to make it lower or higher so that the latch can go in.^{[1]
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2
Check the hinges. If that wasn't your problem, then the problem is probably with your hinges.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Abraham Schwartz
Handyman
Expert Interview. 28 August 2020.} They are probably uneven, with one being too far in or out from the jam. Close the door as much as possible and look for uneven lines. The gaps all around the door should be the same all the way across (along the hinge line, at the top of the door, bottom of the door, and on the side of the door with the latch).^{[3]
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3
Adjust the hinge. The easiest option is the just adjust the center hinge, but you'll probably want to adjust either the top or the bottom hinge depending on the situation, since this should have the most impact. No matter which hinge you need to fix, the process is the same. Unscrew that hinge so that you can access the jam behind it.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Abraham Schwartz
Handyman
Expert Interview. 28 August 2020.} Cut a piece of milk carton or thin cardboard to the shape of the hinge recess and place it there. Return the hinge flap and screw it into place.^{[5]
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Research source}
- Usually, if there's a gap on the top latch side, you'll need to adjust the bottom hinge. If the door is bumping up against the top latch side of the jam, you'll need to adjust the top hinge.
- You can find the manufacturer and the model of the door. Visit the manufacturer's website and get the instructions to fix the problem.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Abraham Schwartz
  Handyman
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

A Door That Swings Closed

1
Gather your tools. You'll need a hammer, a screwdriver, and a strip of paper.
2
Remove the center hinge pin. Place the screwdriver at the bottom of the hinge pin and use the hammer to tap the bottom of the hinge pin until it comes up out of the hinge.
3
Place your paper. Fold your strip of paper until it is about .5-1 cm wide, and just a bit longer than the hinge. Place the paper in the hinge pinhole and fold the top down just a bit so that the paper stays in place.
4
Reinsert the pin. Put the pin back in the hinge. This may take some hammer tapping.
5
Test the door. Test to see if the door now stays open when you open it. The paper should make the hinge tighter, keeping the door where you place it.
6
Adjust as necessary. If one piece of paper doesn't work, you might need two. You may also need to put paper in the other hinges as well. Experiment until you get your door working the way you want.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

A Door That Squeaks

1
Get some gun oil. You can use other greases and oils too, but those are not usually intended for metal and result in the metal of the hinge degrading over time. Gun oil is best, since it is designed for use on metal.^{[7]
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2
Remove the hinge pins one at a time. You want to avoid having to take the door completely off the hinges, so just remove one hinge pin at a time and don't remove it the whole way. You just need access to the first inch or two. Do this by tapping the bottom of the pin with a screwdriver and hammer until the pin pops up.
- You may need a helper or something to prop up the door with if it becomes unstable with the hinges partway out.
3
Apply the oil. With part of the hinge pin exposed, brush on a little of the gun oil with an old paintbrush or a cloth. It doesn't take much, so don't make a mess!
4
Replace the pin. Tap the hinge pin back into place and work the door back and forth so that the oil works its way down. Clean up any extra with a piece of tissue.
5
Continue until all the hinges are oiled. Do each of the hinges in turn until they're all fixed.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

A Door with a Hole

1
Cut the edges. These instructions are for a hollow core door, although you can adjust them to patch solid wood doors with small chips. For a hollow door, use a sharp utility knife to cut the rough edges of the hole so that it has a clean edge which is beveled towards you.^{[8]
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2
Add a support. Crumple some paper or place another supporting material just below the hole of the door. This will keep the filler material from dripping down the inside of the door.
3
Fill with spray foam insulation. Purchase some aerosol foam insulation. Only one can should be needed. Fill the hole completely and continue until there is a bubble of foam extending out of the hole as well. When it's dry, use the utility knife to cut off the material outside the door by placing the blade flush with the door's surface and cutting downward.^{[9]
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- The low-expansion foam will work best for this purpose but it's possible to use another kind if your choices are limited.
4
Spackle the remaining hole. Generously apply Spackle to the remaining hole area. Once it's applied, use a putty knife wider than the hole itself to remove the excess.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.}
5
Sand the surface.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.} Once it's dry, sand down the surface until it's smooth using 100 grit sandpaper.
6
Paint the surface.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.} Paint the surface of the door and it should look brand new! Giving the whole thing a base coat and then single top coat will create the most uniform appearance but it's not necessary.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I fix a bigger hole in a door?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If it's a hollow core door, I don't actually recommend fixing it. Doors aren't that expensive and the repair is going to be noticeable if it's a bigger hole. You're better off just replacing the entire thing.
Question

How can I fix a drafty door?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

For exterior doors, you need to install weather-stripping. There are a few ways you can do this, but you typically install a sweep at the bottom of the door to seal the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. This will limit how much air gets in through the bottom. If you can see light coming in at the base of the door, weather-stripping will make a big difference.
Question

I just replaced a door. Why won't my door knob work?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You probably installed the lever upside down. This is a pretty common mistake, so don't beat yourself up over it. Just uninstall the knob, flip the lever around, and install it that way. Door levers work in reverse, so it's easy to install it in the wrong direction.