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A metal hinge attaches a partially open white door to its frame.
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How To Fix Loose Door Hinge

Is your door sticking or not closing properly? A loose hinge could be the problem. Learn simple fixes to get your door working smoothly again.
Prep Time 10 minutes

Equipment

  • toothpick or cardboard
  • screwdriver

Instructions

  • Using a screwdriver, remove the screws from the loose hinge. If they slide out too easily, that’s a clear sign they aren’t gripping the wood anymore.
    Close-up of a brass door hinge mounted on a white door and door frame, with a purple wall visible in the background.
  • Take a few wooden toothpicks or a small piece of sturdy cardboard and insert them into the hole. This fills in the extra space and gives the screw something solid to grip. If you’re using toothpicks, break them off at the surface so they sit flush with the hole.
    Hand inserting a toothpick into the screw hole of a brass door hinge on a white door frame.
  • Put the screws back in and tighten them. You should feel them grip much more firmly than before. The added material inside the hole creates a fresh surface for the screw to bite into.
    Screwdriver tightening a screw on a brass door hinge attached to a white door.
  • Open and close the door a few times to make sure it moves smoothly.
    Close-up of a brass door hinge attached to a white wooden door frame. Three screws secure the hinge, with slight wood chipping visible around it. Purple wall seen in the background.