What you'll need
You probably have these
Tick them off as you find them.
Only if you're missing something
- 3 in wood screwsMatch the color of your hinges$3 to $6
- Small metal fileOnly if you need to widen the strike$5 to $10
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The fix
- 1
Check the latch moves
Open the door and turn the knob. Watch the latch pop in and out.
You'll know it's right whenIt slides freely and springs back. If it sticks, a little dry lubricant helps.
- 2
Tighten the hinge screws
Tighten every screw on all the hinges, door side and frame side.
You'll know it's right whenNothing wiggles. Try the door again.
- 3
Add a long screw up top
If the door still sags, swap one frame-side screw on the top hinge for a 3 in screw. It bites into the wall framing and pulls the door back up.
You'll know it's right whenYou'll feel it bite. Stop when snug, don't crank it.
- 4
Find where the latch hits
Rub lipstick or a dry-erase marker on the latch tip, or put painter's tape on the strike plate. Close the door gently.
You'll know it's right whenA mark shows exactly where the latch is landing.
- 5
File the opening
If the mark is off by about 1/8 in or less, remove the strike plate. File the edge of its opening with a metal file.
You'll know it's right whenThe opening is wider right where the mark was.
- 6
Move the plate if needed
If it's further off, fill the old screw holes with wood glue and toothpicks. Let it dry, then shift the plate and screw it in.
You'll know it's right whenThe plate sits where the mark says it should.
- 7
Close the door
Swing it shut with normal force.
You'll know it's right whenClick. It stays shut.
Close the door. Hear that click? Done!
Why it happens
Doors sag a little over time, and the top hinge works the hardest. Houses also shift and wood swells with humidity. A tiny shift of 1/8 in is enough to make the latch miss its hole. The house moved. You didn't break anything.
Edie's tipTighten the hinge screws once a year, before they get loose enough to sag.
What not to do
- Slamming it harder
It can crack the frame or bend the strike plate.
- Overtightening the long screw
Too much force can pull the frame out of shape and make things worse.
- Forcing a swollen door
If the door rubs the frame in humid weather, the problem may be swelling. Wait for dry weather before you plane anything.
- Skipping the lipstick step
Guessing where the latch hits leads to extra holes. The mark tells you for sure.
When to call a pro
Call a carpenter or handyman if the frame is cracked or the door rubs badly all along one side. Call too if the gap around the door suddenly changed, or several doors started sticking at once. Several sticking doors can be a sign of the house shifting.
Questions
Which top hinge screw should I replace?
Pick a screw on the frame side of the top hinge. A drill makes driving a 3 in screw much easier, but a screwdriver works with patience.
Do I need to chisel the frame?
Sometimes, if you move the strike plate more than a little. A sharp chisel and a light touch do it. If that sounds like too much, a handyman can finish it fast.
Why does it latch in winter but not summer?
Wood swells with humidity. A small seasonal change is normal. A dehumidifier can help.
Written by the DIY Project team and checked against manufacturer instructions. How we check
Updated October 2, 2026.
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