Door Won't Close? How to Fix a Sticking or Sagging Door
Short answerA door that won't close usually has loose hinge screws, humidity swelling, a misaligned strike plate, or thick weather stripping. Tighten the hinges first, using long screws at the top. Then find where it rubs, move the strike or trim the edge, testing for lead first if built before 1978. If frames lean and walls crack, have the house checked.
Safety first
- If you take a door off its hinges, get a helper. Doors are heavy and can fall when the last pin comes out.
- If your home was built before 1978, door edges may have lead paint. Test first, using a certified lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor, or assume there is lead. Then follow EPA's do-it-yourself lead-safe work practices, including not sanding or planing dry, or hire a lead-safe certified contractor.
- Wear eye protection when you chisel or drill.
Likely causes
| Cause | How to tell | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Loose or worn hinges | The door sags, and the top corner rubs on the frame or the gap is uneven. | Tighten the screws. Use long screws that reach the stud in the top hinge, or replace worn hinges. |
| Swelling from humidity | It sticks in damp months and fits fine when dry, or it is a bathroom or basement door. | Lower the moisture and wait. If it stays stuck, trim the edge and seal it. |
| Strike plate out of line | The door closes but will not latch, and there are rub marks on the strike. | Move or file the strike, or deepen the hole. |
| Thick weather stripping | An exterior door feels too snug in the frame. | Use thinner weather stripping, or move the strike plate. |
| Settling or a frame out of square | The frame leans, the gaps are uneven and there are cracks in the walls nearby. | Have a carpenter reshim the frame, and check the foundation if there are other signs. |
What you need
- Screwdriver
- 3 inch wood screws
- Chalk or lipstick
- Chisel
- Hinge shims or thin cardboard
- Level
- Plane or sandpaper
- Primer or sealer
How to fix it
- Find where it rubs. Close the door slowly and look for the tight spot. Check the gap around the frame, and look for shiny or worn paint.
- Tighten the hinges. Tighten every hinge screw by hand. If the door still sags, replace one screw in the top hinge with a long screw that goes through the jamb into the stud.
- Shim or replace the hinges. If screws do not fix it, put thin shims behind a hinge to shift the door, or replace worn hinges with ones that fit the frame securely.
- Check the strike plate. Coat the latch or bolt with chalk or lipstick, close the door, and see where it marks the strike. Raise or lower the strike plate, or chisel away a little material. A deadbolt pocket should be about 1 inch deep.
- Wait or trim for swelling. If the door sticks only in humid weather, wait to adjust it until the problem returns or lower the moisture in the room. If it has to be trimmed, follow the lead warning above in a home built before 1978, take off a little at a time and seal the bare edge with primer or paint so it soaks up less moisture.
- Check the weather stripping and floor. Look for thick weather stripping or a rug in the way. Replace it or move it, then test the door.
When to call a professional
- The frame is out of square or twisted, and reshimming means taking off the trim.
- Doors stick in several rooms along with sloping floors or wall cracks. Have the foundation checked.
- It is a pre-1978 door that needs a lot of trimming, or it is a fire-rated or entry door you are not sure about.
What it costs to have fixed
Door Repair is estimated at $80 to $490 nationally. See your state
Common questions
How do I fix a door that won't close all the way?
Start with the hinges, then check for a rub point. Tight top hinge screws can help a sagging door. If it still will not close, adjust the strike plate or look for thick weather stripping.
Why does my door only stick in the summer?
Wood and paint take on moisture in humid weather. NC State Extension says a sticking door may be swollen with moisture. If the fit returns in dry weather, you may only need to reduce the moisture or take off a little from the edge.
Does a door that sticks mean foundation problems?
Not necessarily. We found no source that says how often it does. It is more of a concern with several doors at once, leaning frames, horizontal cracks or sagging floors. Have a professional look at those.
Related repairs
- Basement Leaking When It Rains? What to Do
- Foundation Cracks: Which Are Serious and What to Do
- Garage Door Spring Broken? Stop and Read This First
- Garage Door Won't Close? Check the Sensors First
- Gutters Overflowing? Why It Happens and How to Fix It
- How to Patch a Hole in Drywall: Small to Large
- Mold in Bathroom? How to Clean It and Keep It Away
- Roof Leak? What to Do Now and When to Call a Roofer
Last verified 2026-11-01
Sources
- Schlage: How to Fix a Door That Won't Latch — Seasonal warping, thick weather stripping, misaligned strike, sagging from worn hinges, shims, the chalk or lipstick test, and settling
- Therma-Tru: Troubleshooting Guide — Long hinge screws through the jamb into the stud, out-of-square frames, adjusting strikes and reshimming
- NC State Extension: Inspecting a House — A sticking exterior door may be swollen with moisture; leaning door frames can point to settling
- EPA: Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead — Lead paint in pre-1978 homes, door edges as friction surfaces, and avoiding sanding
- EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program — EPA recommends a lead-safe certified contractor for pre-1978 homes, and do-it-yourself lead-safe practices for homeowners doing their own work
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.