How to Adjust Door Hinges

Step 1: Open the door and inspect all hinges
With the door open, look at every hinge carefully. Check whether any screw heads are raised above the surface, any hinge plates are pulling away from the frame or door edge, and whether the hinge knuckles show visible wobble or wear. Note which hinge or hinges look problematic before picking up any tools.

Step 2: Tighten all loose screws
Using a screwdriver, firmly tighten every screw in both the door-side and frame-side hinge leaves. Work from the top hinge down. A screw that tightens solidly is fine. A screw that just spins means the hole is stripped - move to Step 3 for those.

Step 3: Repair any stripped screw holes
For stripped holes, the most reliable fix is to fill the void with wooden material before re-driving. Dip a toothpick or small piece of a golf tee in wood glue, tap it into the hole, snap it flush, and let it dry fully - usually at least an hour. Then drive the original screw back in. Alternatively, replace stripped screws with longer 3-inch screws that reach into the framing behind the jamb for a much stronger hold.

Step 4: Test the door
Close and latch the door. Check where it binds or gaps. A door that rubs at the top latch corner usually has a loose or recessed top hinge. A door that rubs at the bottom latch corner often has a loose bottom hinge. This will guide your next adjustment.

Step 5: Shim a hinge that sits too deep
If a hinge leaf was mortised too deeply into the wood, the door will bind on the opposite side. Cut a piece of thin cardboard to the exact shape of the hinge mortise. Remove the hinge screws, slip the cardboard shim into the mortise, and reinstall the hinge over it. This raises the hinge leaf slightly and pushes the door toward the strike side. Add shims gradually and test after each one.

Step 6: Deepen a mortise that is too shallow
If a hinge sits proud of the wood surface rather than flush, the hinge side of the door will bind. Use a sharp chisel and mallet to carefully deepen the mortise by small increments. Work slowly, pare across the grain, and test the fit frequently to avoid removing too much material.

Step 7: Adjust the hinge leaf angle for fine correction
For doors that still do not hang quite right after Steps 1 through 6, the hinge leaf can be bent very slightly to nudge the door position. Remove the hinge from the door or frame, place it on a firm surface, and use needle-nose pliers to gently open or close the gap between the two leaves by a small amount. Even a fraction of a degree makes a noticeable difference. Reinstall and test before making further adjustments.

Step 8: Check and adjust the strike plate if needed
Once the door hangs correctly, verify that the latch bolt meets the strike plate cleanly. If the bolt hits above or below the strike plate opening, loosen the strike plate screws and shift the plate in the needed direction, then retighten. File the strike plate opening slightly if the bolt catches on an edge.

• Keep fingers clear of the hinge knuckles when someone else is moving the door during testing
• Wear safety glasses when chiseling - small wood chips can travel unpredictably
• Do not force a stuck door open with your body weight before diagnosing the cause - you could crack the frame or injure yourself
• If the door is a fire-rated entry door, restore it to fully operational condition promptly and do not leave it propped open for extended periods
• Use the correct screw length - screws that are too long can split the jamb or door stile