Door Won’t Close Properly? How to Diagnose It
A door that suddenly stops closing can be caused by loose hinge screws, seasonal swelling, misalignment, or movement in the frame. Identifying where it contacts the frame helps avoid unnecessary cutting or sanding.
15–45 minutes
Before you start
- Slowly close the door and identify the exact point where it rubs or stops.
- Check hinge screws and hardware for looseness or visible damage.
- Look for unusual frame movement, large new cracks, or water swelling before altering the door.
Step-by-step
- 1Tighten loose hinge screws without stripping the screw holes.
- 2Check whether the latch aligns with the strike plate when the door is nearly closed.
- 3If the door rubs, mark the contact point and determine whether hinge alignment is the cause.
- 4Make small hardware adjustments before removing material from the door.
- 5Test the door repeatedly to confirm it closes, latches, and opens freely.
Not sure what’s wrong?
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Diagnose My RepairGeneral informational guidance only. Follow manufacturer instructions and use an appropriately licensed professional when a repair is unsafe or outside your experience.