6 Tips on How to Fix a Door That Won’t Close

Do you have an interior door that just doesn’t want to close or can’t seem to stay shut? Luckily, it’s not too much trouble to figure out where the problem is coming from if you know what to look for. 

And most issues—whether a loose hinge or a latch that won’t stick—are easy to fix on your own without bringing in a pro and shelling out for the door repair cost. So come on in and check out this guide to unlock simple solutions for your sticky or loose door. 

1. Identify Your Door’s Weak Spot

Before you can fix your interior door, you’ll need to understand what’s causing the issue. Here are some potential problem spots you should look at before taking next steps.

Door Hinges

Wonky hinges are the key to most common door problems, so give them a good look first. Loose screws or a door that appears to be sagging are clear signs that your hinges may need a helping hand. 

Door Latches 

If there’s an annoying grinding noise when you try to close your door, you likely have a problem with the latch, and identifying this is the first step in how to fix a squeaky door. 

Door Jambs

The jambs are simply the side posts and upper lining of the door frame. You’ll know they’re your problem if the upper or lower corners of the door are getting stuck or scratched when you try to shut it. Most of the time, this type of sticky door syndrome is a sign you’ve got a problem with alignment.

2. Try the Lipstick Test

It might sound funny, but if your door wont open or close properly, sometimes lipstick is the best hardware tool. Your door latch and strike plate may be misaligned, causing them to miss each other and keep your door open. This can be a tricky thing to actually see, which is where the lipstick test comes into play.

To conduct the lipstick test, put some lipstick on the door latch and stick masking tape to the strike plate. When you close the door, you’ll be able to see the mark of lipstick left on the masking tape that indicates where the latch and plate meet.

3. Try Tightening the Screws

If you suspect there’s an issue with your door hinge, use a screwdriver to tighten any loose screws before making other changes. If the screws turn without tightening, you might need to use longer screws. This can be useful for fixing a sagging door, too.

An alternative: Squeeze a bit of carpenter’s glue onto a small, slender piece of wood—like a toothpick or a matchstick (with the tip cut off)—and insert it into the hole. Let it dry, and then resume adding screws. This will give the screw more to grab onto, and make the hinge more stable.

4. Check Your Strike Plate for These Easy Fixes

A “strike plate” is the metal plate that lays against your door jamb. It connects with the latch mechanism to let the door actually lock. If your strike plate looks bent or curved or isn’t quite aligned with the latch, try a few simple solutions before replacing it. 

For a curved strike plate: Just unscrew and remove the strike plate from the door (this will avoid further door damage and make the work easier). Next, place the strike plate on a protected surface, and let your hammer do the rest until the plate is nice and flat again. 

If you find your strike plate is more misaligned and missing the latch, the fix is slightly different. Start by unscrewing and removing the strike plate from the wall. Then, fill the holes that are already there so the plate doesn’t fall back into its original, non-working spot. Once the wall is dry, use a drill to create new holes that are properly placed to align with the latch. And finally, screw the plate into the perfect position.

5. If the Door Won’t Latch, Make It Match

If a latch won’t lock in place with the strike plate hole, you don’t necessarily need to remove or replace parts. Instead, try using a metal file or an electric planer to scrape the strike plate hole’s edge until it becomes large enough to fit the latch. 

6. Sand Down the Jambs on a Door That’s Out of Alignment

If your door doesn’t seem to like getting together with the door frame, it might simply be a common case of misalignment. If so, that’s temporarily fixable without having to remove or replace anything. Keep things easy by using sandpaper or an electric planer to trim down the sides that are consistently getting jammed or preventing your door from fully shutting.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If your door continues to give you trouble even after you’ve tightened all the screws and sanded down the jambs, then it’s probably time to call in a door repair professional in your area. In general, you can expect to pay between $100 and $300, depending on what type of repairs are necessary. 

Occasional fixes from a pro may cost more than taking the DIY route, but they’re far less pricey than dropping a bundle on a brand new door. To put that in perspective, the cost to install a new interior door can run anywhere from $350 to $1,100.

Em Norton contributed to this article.