How to Fix a Rubbing Door That Sticks | Easy Hinge Adjustment, by SheetMetalSamurai on YouTube. 1 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open the door and check where it rubs. Look for scuff marks on the latch side or along the top edge to confirm the door is catching the frame.
Tighten every hinge screw on both the door side and the frame side. Loose screws let the door sag, so snugging them can pull the door back into line.
Close the door and test it. If it swings freely with no rubbing, stop here and skip the bending steps.
If it still rubs on the latch side, tap the top hinge pin out from below with a hammer or punch. Have a helper hold the door so it does not drop.
Clamp an adjustable wrench on the door-side hinge knuckle and bend it slightly away from the frame. Go small, a few millimetres is enough.
Repeat a smaller bend on the middle hinge knuckle. Keep the bends gentle so the hinge still lines up with the pin hole.
Lift the door back into place and slide the top hinge pin back in. Tap it down until it sits flush.
Close the door slowly and check the gap along the latch side. If it still rubs, repeat the bend in small increments.
Tips and common mistakes
Bend in small steps and test after each one, since it is much harder to bend a hinge back than to bend it further.
Do not force the pin if it will not move, as a bent pin can damage the hinge knuckle.
If tightening the screws does not hold, fill the screw holes with wooden matchsticks and glue, then refit the screws.
Keep fingers clear of the hinge gap when lifting the door back onto the pin.
Questions
Will this fix work on a hollow interior door?
Yes. The method works on standard interior doors, including hollow ones, because you are adjusting the hinge and not the door itself. Just support the door well when the pin is out.
What if the door still rubs after bending the hinges?
Try a slightly larger bend on the top hinge and test again. If it still catches, the frame may be out of square and the door may need planing or a professional check.
Do I need to take the door off its hinges?
No. You only remove the top hinge pin and lift the door slightly, so the door stays in the frame the whole time.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
