Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Confirm the hinge is the real problem
- Open and close the door slowly and watch the hinge side gap from top to bottom.
- Look for a hinge that is visibly bent, cracked, loose, rubbing, or pulling away from the jamb or door edge.
- Tighten any loose hinge screws first and test the door again.
- If the door still sags, binds, or will not latch properly, inspect the suspect hinge for worn knuckles, a loose pin, or damage that keeps the leaves from sitting flat.
If it works: You have identified one hinge that is damaged or worn and worth replacing.
If it doesn’t: If tightening screws fixes the sag or rubbing, you may not need a new hinge yet.
Stop if:- The wood around the hinge screws is split, soft, or stripped badly enough that screws will not hold.
- The door frame is cracked, out of square, or moving in the wall.
- The slab is dragging because the door or jamb has shifted, not because of one bad hinge.
Step 2: Support the door and prep the work area
- Close the door until it is almost shut so it stays steady but you can still reach the hinge screws.
- Slide wood shims under the latch side of the door until the door is supported and no longer drops when you lift gently on the handle.
- If paint bridges the hinge edges, score around the hinge with a utility knife.
- Keep the new hinge and screws nearby so the door is supported for as little time as possible.
If it works: The door feels supported and the hinge can be removed without the door dropping or twisting.
If it doesn’t: Add or adjust shims until the door weight is off the hinge you are replacing.
Stop if:- The door is too heavy to control safely with shims alone.
- The door shifts suddenly or will not stay supported in a stable position.
Step 3: Remove the old hinge and match the replacement
- Remove the screws from the old hinge, starting with the door side or jamb side, whichever is easier to control while the door is supported.
- Lift the hinge out and compare it directly to the new one.
- Match the height, width when open, screw hole pattern, corner shape, finish, and whether the hinge orientation fits the same location.
- If the old screws are damaged or worn, use the new screws that came with the hinge if they are the same practical size for the existing holes.
If it works: The new hinge matches the old hinge closely enough to fit the same mortise and screw locations.
If it doesn’t: Take the old hinge with you and get a closer match before installing anything.
Stop if:- The new hinge is a different size or corner style and leaves large gaps in the mortise.
- The screw holes do not line up and the old wood is too damaged to hold new screws securely.
Step 4: Install the new hinge in the same position
- Set the new hinge into the existing mortise so it sits flat and flush.
- Start the screws by hand first to avoid cross-threading or pulling the hinge out of position.
- Tighten the screws evenly, alternating between top and bottom so the hinge leaf stays seated flat.
- If the hinge includes one longer screw for the jamb side, install it only if it fits cleanly and pulls the hinge snug without shifting the jamb.
If it works: The new hinge is mounted tightly, sits flush in the mortise, and does not rock or gap at the edges.
If it doesn’t: Back the screws out, reseat the hinge flat, and restart the screws by hand before tightening again.
Stop if:- The hinge will not sit flush because the mortise is damaged or packed with debris you cannot clear cleanly.
- A screw spins without tightening, which means the hole is stripped and needs repair before the hinge can hold properly.
Step 5: Remove the support and check door alignment
- Pull the shims out slowly and let the door rest on its hinges again.
- Open and close the door several times, watching for rubbing at the top corner, hinge side binding, or latch misalignment.
- Check that the reveal around the door looks reasonably even and that the door does not spring open or swing shut on its own.
- Snug the hinge screws one more time after the first few test swings.
If it works: The door swings more smoothly and the hinge side looks stable without visible sag.
If it doesn’t: Recheck that the hinge is fully seated and that all screws are tight before deciding another hinge or adjustment is needed.
Stop if:- The door still drops noticeably even with the new hinge installed.
- Another hinge is bent, loose, or pulling out of the wood, which means one hinge replacement will not solve the problem.
Step 6: Verify the repair in normal use
- Close the door fully and make sure it latches without lifting, pushing hard, or slamming.
- Lock and unlock the door to confirm the latch and deadbolt still line up normally.
- Use the door several times over the next day, including from both inside and outside, to make sure the hinge stays tight and the swing remains smooth.
- Look again for fresh rubbing marks or screws backing out.
If it works: The door opens, closes, latches, and stays aligned in real use, so the hinge replacement held.
If it doesn’t: If the door still binds or the latch misses, inspect the other hinges and the jamb for movement before replacing more parts.
Stop if:- The new hinge loosens quickly, the screws will not stay tight, or the jamb wood is failing.
- The door still will not latch because the frame or slab has shifted beyond a simple hinge repair.
Replacement Parts
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FAQ
Can I replace just one entry door hinge?
Yes, if one hinge is clearly bent, cracked, or worn and the others are still solid. If the door still sags after one replacement, inspect the other hinges and the screw holes in the jamb.
How do I know which hinge to buy?
Match the old hinge by size, corner style, finish, and screw pattern. It also needs to fit the same door and jamb mortise so it sits flush without extra cutting.
Do I need to take the whole door off?
Usually no. For a single hinge replacement, it is often easier to support the door with shims and swap one hinge at a time.
What if the new hinge screws will not tighten?
That usually means the wood hole is stripped or damaged. The hinge may look installed, but it will not hold well until the screw holes are repaired.
Why does the door still rub after I replaced the hinge?
Another hinge may also be worn, or the jamb may have shifted. A new hinge fixes hardware wear, but it will not correct a frame that is loose, cracked, or out of alignment.