Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Make sure hinge replacement is the right fix
- Open and close the door several times and watch the gap around the top and latch side.
- Look for bent hinge leaves, loose hinge pins, cracked hinge knuckles, stripped screw holes, or rust that has eaten into the metal.
- Tighten any obviously loose hinge screws first to see if the door straightens up.
- Measure one existing hinge and note the height, width when open, corner shape, and whether the hinge layout matches the new set.
If it works: You have confirmed the hinges are worn, damaged, or mismatched and you know what replacement style you need.
If it doesn’t: If the hinges are solid and the problem is rubbing from seasonal swelling or a warped door slab, hinge replacement may not solve it. Check door alignment, swollen edges, or stripped screw holes instead.
Stop if:- The door frame is split, badly out of square, or pulling away from the wall.
- The hinge area in the door or jamb is rotted, crumbling, or too damaged to hold screws safely.
- This is a heavy exterior or fire-rated door that feels unsafe to support and handle alone.
Step 2: Set up the door so it cannot drop or twist
- Close the door until it is almost shut, leaving enough room to reach the hinges.
- Slide wood shims under the door until the weight is supported and the reveal around the door looks close to even.
- If the door still wants to move, have a helper steady it while you work.
- Keep screws from each hinge together so you can compare lengths and reuse any that fit better.
If it works: The door is supported from below and stays in place without sagging when you touch the hinges.
If it doesn’t: Add or adjust shims until the door weight is off the hinges. If the door still shifts, get a helper before removing screws.
Stop if:- The door is unstable, too heavy to control safely, or starts dropping when screws are loosened.
Step 3: Remove one old hinge and compare it to the new one
- Start with the top hinge so the door stays controlled.
- Remove the screws from the jamb leaf and door leaf, then lift the old hinge away.
- Hold the new hinge in place and compare hole pattern, leaf size, corner style, and knuckle position.
- If the new hinge matches, set it into the existing mortise so it sits flat without forcing it.
If it works: The new hinge matches the old one closely and fits the mortise without major gaps or overhang.
If it doesn’t: If the hinge does not match, stop and get the correct size and style. A close visual match is not enough if the holes or leaf size are off.
Stop if:- The new hinge is clearly the wrong size or shape for the existing mortise.
- The wood behind the hinge is split or the screw holes are too damaged to hold replacement screws.
Step 4: Install the new hinge and repeat one hinge at a time
- Drive the screws by hand first to avoid cross-threading or pulling the hinge out of position.
- Snug the screws evenly instead of fully tightening one screw at a time.
- Replace the middle hinge next, then the bottom hinge, keeping the door supported the whole time.
- If a screw spins in a stripped hole, back it out and repair the hole before continuing rather than forcing it.
If it works: All new hinges are installed and seated flat, with screws holding firmly in both the door and the jamb.
If it doesn’t: If one hinge will not sit flush, remove it and check for paint buildup, debris in the mortise, or a mismatch in hinge size.
Stop if:- Multiple screw holes are stripped and will not hold after a basic repair attempt.
- The door shifts so far out of position that the hinge leaves no longer line up with the mortises.
Step 5: Align the door and tighten everything evenly
- Open and close the door slowly and watch whether the top gap and latch-side gap stay reasonably even.
- Tighten any slightly loose screws and adjust the shims under the door if the slab settled during installation.
- If the door binds lightly, loosen one hinge just enough to let it settle into position, then retighten.
- Remove the shims once the door swings freely and the latch lines up with the strike area.
If it works: The door swings without scraping badly, the gaps look even enough, and the latch meets the strike area cleanly.
If it doesn’t: If the door still sags or rubs after the new hinges are tight, inspect for stripped wood, a shifted jamb, or a warped door rather than replacing more hardware blindly.
Stop if:- The door cannot be aligned because the jamb is moving, cracked, or visibly out of plumb.
Step 6: Test the repair in normal use
- Open the door fully and close it several times at normal speed.
- Check that it does not squeak, drift open on its own, scrape the floor, or need lifting to latch.
- Look at each hinge again to make sure the leaves stay tight to the wood and no screws are backing out.
- Recheck the door after a day or two of normal use and snug any screw that loosened slightly as the hinge settled.
If it works: The door opens, closes, and latches normally, and the new hinges stay tight under real use.
If it doesn’t: If the door still will not stay aligned, the root problem is likely damaged wood, a shifted frame, or a warped door rather than the hinges alone.
Stop if:- The door starts sagging again right away or the screws keep loosening, which points to hidden wood damage or a framing issue.
Replacement Parts
Repair Riot may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Can I replace just one hinge instead of all of them?
Yes, if only one hinge is damaged and the others are still straight and tight. If the hinges are old, worn, or mismatched, replacing the full set usually gives better alignment.
How do I know what size hinge to buy?
Measure the old hinge height and width when open, then match the corner style and hole pattern as closely as possible. Also check finish and handedness if the hinge style requires it.
What if the screw holes are stripped?
Do not rely on a screw that just spins. Repair the hole so the screw can bite firmly, or the new hinge will loosen and the door will sag again.
Do I need to take the whole door off to replace hinges?
Usually no. Most homeowners can replace them one at a time with the door supported from below. Taking the door fully off is only helpful if the door is already badly out of position or you need more working room.
Why does the door still rub after I replaced the hinges?
New hinges cannot fix every alignment problem. The real cause may be stripped wood, a shifted jamb, a warped door, or seasonal swelling at the door edge.