Common Door Problems and Fixes

What you might notice:
The door closes but won’t stay shut, you have to lift or push the door to latch it, or you have to slam it.

Common causes:

• Loose hinges allowed the door to shift
• The door is sagging
• The strike plate is misaligned
• The latch or lock mechanism is dirty, sticking or worn
• The door or frame has shifted because of weather changes or settling

Close the door slowly and watch where the latch meets the strike plate. If it hits above or below the opening, you likely have an alignment problem. Also look at the gaps around the door—uneven gaps can indicate that the door itself has shifted. 

The solve:
Start by tightening the hinge screws, especially at the top hinge. If the door is properly aligned but the latch still misses the strike plate, loosen and reposition the strike plate. A small misalignment may also be corrected by slightly enlarging the strike opening. If the latch itself sticks even when the door is open, clean and lubricate the mechanism or replace it if it's damaged.

What you might notice:
The door is difficult to open or close, rubs along the top or side of the frame, or only sticks during certain times of year.

Common causes:

• Loose hinges 
• A sagging door 
• Humidity causing a wood door to swell 
• Paint buildup 
• A shifted or out-of-square frame 
• A door that's too large for the opening 

Open and close the door slowly to identify exactly where it's rubbing. Then inspect the gap between the door and frame. An uneven gap often points to a hinge or alignment problem rather than a door that needs sanding. 

The solve:
Tighten any loose hinge screws first. If the door still sticks, determine whether seasonal swelling could be the cause. Wood doors can expand as they absorb moisture, so a door that sticks during humid weather but fits normally during drier months may not need significant material removed. 

If you've ruled out alignment and swelling, lightly sand or plane the problem area. Any exposed wood should then be sealed or refinished to help limit moisture absorption.

What you might notice:
A squeak, creak or grinding noise when opening or closing the door.
Common causes:

• Dry hinge pins 
• Dirt or debris in the hinge 
• Rust or corrosion 
• Loose screws 
• Worn or damaged hinges 

First, tighten loose hinge screws. If the hinges are secure, apply an appropriate lubricant to the hinge pin and work the door back and forth to distribute it. If there's visible dirt or buildup, removing and cleaning the hinge pin may help.

If the hinge is bent, badly rusted or otherwise damaged, replacement may be the better solution. For help replacing a door, check out our guide how to install an interior door.

What you might notice:
You feel outside air around the door, see daylight around its edges or notice that the area near the door feels unusually hot or cold.

Common causes:

• Worn, cracked or compressed weatherstripping 
• A worn or improperly adjusted door sweep 
• Gaps around the threshold 
• Gaps between the frame and surrounding wall 
• A door that's sagging or no longer fits squarely in the frame

With the door closed, inspect the perimeter for visible gaps or daylight. Check the weatherstripping for cracks, flattened areas or missing sections, and inspect the bottom of the door.

The solve:
Replace damaged weatherstripping around the sides and top of the door. If air is entering underneath, inspect and adjust or replace the door sweep or threshold. Small stationary gaps around the frame may be sealed with an appropriate caulk.

What you might notice:
The door appears lower on the latch side, rubs against the floor or frame, has uneven gaps around it or needs to be lifted slightly to close it.

Common causes:

• Loose hinge screws 
• Stripped screw holes 
• Worn or bent hinges 
• Heavy doors pulling away from the jamb 
• A loose or shifting door jamb 

Look at the gap above the door. If it's wider near the hinge side and narrower toward the latch side—or the upper latch-side corner is rubbing—the door may be sagging. Check each hinge for loose screws or movement while someone gently moves the door.

The solve:
Tighten loose hinge screws first. If a screw spins without tightening, the hole may be stripped and will need to be repaired. Depending on the situation, a longer screw may also provide better anchoring into the framing behind the jamb. If the hinges themselves are bent or worn, replace them. More significant alignment issues may require hinge shimming or adjustment.

What you might notice:
One portion of the door sits flush against the frame while another bows away from it. The door may rub, fail to latch or leave an uneven gap even though the hinges appear properly aligned.

Common causes:

• Moisture exposure 
• High humidity 
• Improperly sealed wood 
• Temperature changes 
• Age or deterioration 

Close the door and look along its edges for uneven gaps. You can also use a straightedge or level against the door to look for bowing. Before declaring the door warped, rule out loose hinges and an out-of-square frame. Both can make a straight door appear warped or crooked. 

Minor moisture-related movement may improve as humidity levels change, and controlling indoor humidity can help prevent additional movement. For wood doors, keeping all surfaces and edges properly sealed helps reduce moisture absorption. For a significantly or permanently warped door, replacement may be the most reliable solution.

What you might notice:
Cracks, dents, holes, loose trim, rotted wood, a split jamb or a frame that appears out of square.

Common causes:

• Everyday wear 
• Moisture 
• Rot 
• Forced entry 
• Loose hardware 
• House movement or settling 

Small nail holes, dents and gouges in wood can often be repaired with wood filler. Once dry, sand the surface and repaint or refinish it. Small stationary gaps around exterior trim may be appropriate for caulk.

For more serious damage:
Cracked or split jambs, extensive rot, loose framing and significant alignment problems shouldn't simply be covered with caulk or filler. Damaged wood may need to be removed and replaced, and extensive damage may require replacing part or all of the frame.

If the frame is visibly out of square, it's also worth investigating why. Structural settling can cause door openings to shift and may warrant professional evaluation, particularly if you're seeing other signs of movement around the home.

What you might notice:
The deadbolt is difficult to turn, the key sticks, the lock only works if you push or pull on the door, or the bolt doesn't line up with the strike plate.

Common causes:

• Door/strike plate misalignment 
• Sagging 
• Loose hardware 
• Dirt or debris in the lock 
• Worn lock components 

Try operating the lock with the door open. If it works smoothly when open but binds when the door is closed, that strongly points toward an alignment issue rather than an issue with the lock itself. Inspect the hinges and strike plate before replacing the lock.

If the lock is difficult to operate even with the door open, the hardware itself may need cleaning, lubrication or replacement.