Safety First
Support the door with wood shims before loosening hinge screws so it can’t suddenly drop or pinch your fingers. Avoid overtightening screws, which can strip the wood and make the sag worse.
Time
20-45 Minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
$0-$20
🧰 Tools & Materials
Tools
- Phillips screwdriver or drill
- Tape measure
- Level, optional
Materials
- Wood shims
- 2½–3 inch wood screws, if needed
🔍 Signs Your Door Is Sagging
- The top latch-side corner rubs against the frame.
- The gap above the door is uneven.
- The door drags against the floor or threshold.
- You have to lift or push the door to get it to latch.
🔧 Before You Start
Open and close the door slowly while watching the gaps around it. A sagging door will usually drop toward the latch side, causing the upper corner to rub against the jamb.
Check the hinges for loose screws before making any other adjustments.
💡 Pro Tip: Slide wood shims underneath the latch-side end of the door until they gently support its weight. This takes pressure off the hinges and makes adjustments much easier.
Step 1: Tighten the Hinge Screws
Start with the top hinge. Tighten the screws on both the door and jamb sides.
Check the middle and bottom hinges as well.
What You Should See: The hinge leaves should sit flat against the door and jamb without moving when the door opens.
Step 2: Replace a Loose Top-Hinge Screw
If a top-hinge screw spins without tightening, the hole may be stripped.
Remove one of the jamb-side screws from the top hinge and replace it with a 2½–3 inch wood screw long enough to reach the framing behind the jamb.
Tighten it gradually while watching the door alignment.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t crank down on the long screw. A small adjustment can pull the hinge side of the jamb enough to straighten the door.
Step 3: Check the Door Alignment
Look at the gap across the top and latch side. The door should clear the frame without rubbing. If the door closes normally but the latch still misses the strike plate, see How to Fix a Door That Won’t Latch.
If Yours Looks Different: If all the hinge screws are tight but the door still sags, a hinge may be bent or worn. In that case, follow our How to Replace Door Hinges guide.
Step 4: Make Small Adjustments
If the door still rubs slightly, support it with the shims again and make another small adjustment at the top hinge.
Test the door after each change rather than making a large adjustment all at once.
⚠️ Common Problems
Problem: The hinge screw keeps spinning.
The screw hole is probably stripped. Try a longer screw that can bite into solid framing.
Problem: Tightening the top hinge makes the door bind somewhere else.
Back the screw out slightly. The jamb may have been pulled too far.
Problem: The hinges are tight but the door still hangs crooked.
Check for bent or worn hinges. The door or frame may also have shifted.
❓ FAQs
Which hinge usually causes a door to sag?
The top hinge takes much of the load and is often where loose screws first become noticeable.
Do I need to remove the door?
Usually not. Most minor sagging problems can be corrected with the door still installed.
Should I plane or sand the door where it rubs?
Not immediately. Correct the hinge and alignment problems first. If the hinges are secure but the door continues rubbing against the frame, use How to Fix a Door That Sticks to troubleshoot the remaining causes before removing material from the door.
📞 When to Call a Professional
If the door remains badly misaligned with tight, properly secured hinges, the jamb or framing may have shifted and require a more involved repair.