A door that has started dropping at the handle side, scraping the floor, or refusing to latch often looks like a bigger problem than it is. In many cases, the cause is simply a loose door hinge. When hinge screws lose their grip, the door’s weight pulls the hinge away from the frame and the door begins to sag. You can usually correct the problem with a screwdriver, a few longer screws, and a little patience.
Start by finding which hinge is loose
Open the door partway and watch the hinges while gently lifting the door by the handle. If you see movement between a hinge leaf and the frame, you have found at least part of the problem. The top hinge is often the first to loosen because it carries a large share of the force created by the door’s weight.
Check the screws on the door side too. A screw can look tight while the wood behind it has become stripped. Press the hinge leaf flat against the wood and turn each screw by hand. If a screw spins without becoming snug, the hole needs repair.
Tighten the existing hinge screws first
Use a screwdriver that fits the screw head properly. Tighten every screw on the loose hinge, on both the frame side and the door side. Hand tightening gives you better control than immediately using a drill and makes it easier to notice a stripped hinge screw.
If the screws tighten firmly and the hinge pulls back flush with the frame, close the door and test it. A simple tightening may be all the door hinge fix needs. Check whether the gap around the door is more even and whether the latch now enters the strike plate without having to lift the handle.
Do not overtighten. Driving a screw too aggressively can strip a sound hole or pull the hinge out of position. Stop when the screw is firmly seated and the hinge is flat.
Use a longer screw when the top hinge keeps pulling loose
If the top hinge screws are short and repeatedly loosen, replace one frame-side screw with a longer wood screw that can reach solid framing behind the jamb. A screw around 2 1/2 to 3 inches is commonly used where the construction allows it. Choose a screw with a head that sits properly in the hinge countersink.
Drive the longer screw gradually. Its job is to secure the hinge, not bend the jamb. Watch the hinge and the door gap as it tightens, and stop if the jamb starts pulling inward excessively.
For example, imagine a bedroom door whose top corner rubs the frame near the latch. The top hinge moves slightly when the handle is lifted, while the lower hinges remain solid. Tightening the existing screws may help temporarily, but replacing one loose top-hinge screw with a longer screw into the framing can restore support and stop the repeated sagging.
Repair a stripped hinge screw hole
If a screw keeps turning, another screw of the same size will usually not solve the problem. The wood fibers are no longer gripping the threads. A practical repair is to fill the damaged hole with wood material and glue, let it set, then make a fresh pilot hole before reinstalling the screw.
For a light-duty repair
Wooden toothpicks or a small sliver of wood coated with wood glue can be packed into the stripped hole. Let the glue cure, trim the repair flush, then drill a small pilot hole. Reinstall the hinge screw carefully so it bites into fresh material.
For a badly damaged hole
If the hole is enlarged, split, or repeatedly fails, use a more substantial wood plug or dowel repair. Let the adhesive cure fully, then create a new pilot hole. This gives the screw a stronger base and is a better choice for a heavy door or a hinge that has already been repaired more than once.
Check hinge alignment if tightening does not fix the sag
A loose hinge is common, but it is not the only cause of a sagging door. After tightening and repairing the screws, inspect whether each hinge leaf sits flat in its mortise. A hinge that is sitting proud, bent, or set deeper than the others can change the door’s position.
Look at the gaps around the closed door. A narrow gap at the top on the latch side and a wider gap lower down usually points toward sagging. If the hinges are secure but the door still binds, you may need a small alignment adjustment rather than more screw tightening. Avoid planing or cutting the door until you have confirmed that the hinge hardware is sound.
Related DIY topics that fit naturally here include door alignment basics, repairing stripped screw holes, and adjusting a door strike plate.
Small checks that prevent the problem returning
Once the door swings correctly, open and close it several times. Confirm that the hinge pins are fully seated, the leaves remain flat, and no screw starts backing out. If the door is unusually heavy, loose screws may return unless the hinge size, screw length, and frame attachment are suitable for the load.
Check the door again after a few days of normal use. A successful sagging door repair should remain stable without needing you to lift the handle to close it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my door hinge keep coming loose?
Common causes include stripped screw holes, screws that are too short to hold securely, repeated door movement, or extra stress from a heavy or misaligned door. Fixing the damaged hole or improving the hinge’s attachment works better than repeatedly tightening the same loose screw.
Can I tighten a loose door hinge with a drill?
Yes, but use low torque and finish carefully. A hand screwdriver offers better feedback and reduces the chance of stripping the wood or damaging the screw head.
Should I replace the whole hinge if the screws are loose?
Usually not. If the hinge is straight and undamaged, tightening the screws or repairing stripped holes is often enough. Replace it if it is bent, cracked, badly worn, or no longer holds the door in correct alignment.
Why is the door still sagging after I tightened the hinges?
The screw holes may be stripped, a hinge may be bent or poorly seated, or the frame may have shifted. Recheck the top hinge first, then inspect hinge alignment and the gaps around the door before removing material from the door.
Get the hinge secure before making bigger adjustments
When a door starts sagging, begin with the simplest cause: the hinge screws. Tighten what is loose, repair stripped holes, and use a properly sized longer screw where extra frame support is needed. Only after the hinges are solid should you move on to alignment changes. That order avoids unnecessary trimming and often turns an annoying sticking door into a quick, durable DIY repair.