Replace Worn Cabinet Hinges

Cabinet hinges wear out quietly. You notice the door sags, closes slower than it used to, or won't stay open. The hinge itself might be bent or the screw holes stripped. The good news: replacing them is straightforward work that doesn't require any special skill, just a screwdriver and new hardware. You'll likely find that your cabinet doors hang truer and operate more smoothly once you're done. This guide covers standard residential butt hinges and cup hinges, which handle 90 percent of kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

1. Stabilize Before You Start. Open the cabinet door to its widest point. Have someone hold the door steady, or wedge a shim under the front edge to support its weight. This prevents the door from slamming or tilting as you remove screws. If you're working alone, a small wood block and light hand pressure work fine.
2. Unscrew Top Hinge First. Locate the top hinge on the door frame side. Use your screwdriver to remove all screws from this hinge. Turn slowly and deliberately—don't force the screwdriver, as stripped or tight screws can snap. Set the screws aside in a small container so you don't lose them.
3. Free the Bottom Hinge. After the top hinge is clear, remove all screws from the bottom hinge using the same method. Keep your support hand steady on the door to prevent it from tilting. Once both hinges are unbolted, the door remains held only by its own weight and your support.
4. Extract With Care. Grip the door firmly on both sides at the center point, then lift it straight up and away from the cabinet frame. Move slowly and deliberately. Set it down on a clean, flat surface like a workbench or closed toilet seat. Do not lean it against walls or lay it face-down.
5. Pop Old Hinges Out. Look at how the hinge is attached to the door itself. For butt hinges, you'll see mounting screws on the hinge plate. For cup hinges, the hinge sits in a round hole. Remove the remaining mounting screws. If a cup hinge won't come loose, gently tap the hinge base with a hammer to pop it free. Set the old hinges aside.
6. Clean and Assess Damage. Look at the screw holes and mounting surface where the old hinge sat. If the holes are enlarged or stripped, you have options: use larger diameter screws in the same holes, fill the holes with wooden toothpicks and glue then re-drill, or move the hinge slightly to use fresh wood. Wipe away any dust or debris with a dry cloth. For cup hinges, clean out the round hole with a cloth.
7. Align New Hinge Perfectly. For butt hinges, align the new hinge so the mounting plate sits flush against the door edge, centered on the mortised pocket. For cup hinges, push the hinge into the round hole until the base sits flat against the door surface. Check that the hinge knuckle (the rotating part) faces the correct direction—it should align with the cabinet frame hinge.
8. Screw Hinges Tight. Using your screwdriver, drive the mounting screws firmly into the hinge. Start with light pressure to keep the screw straight, then increase pressure once the screw has engaged. Don't overtighten—stop when the hinge is snug and the mounting plate is flush. Repeat for the second hinge.
9. Mount Frame-Side Hinges. Look at the cabinet frame where the old hinges were mounted. Position each new hinge to match the door hinge orientation. The knuckles should face each other. For butt hinges, ensure the mounting plate seats flush in the mortise. For cup hinges, push them into their mounting holes. Drive the frame-side screws firmly but not excessively tight.
10. Hang and Align Door. With both new hinges mounted on the frame, lift the door and align the door hinge knuckles with the frame hinge knuckles. Lower the door slowly and carefully. The door should slide into place and rest on the hinges. If resistance is high, tilt the door slightly to shift the alignment. Once seated, open and close the door slowly to check movement.
11. Test Door Movement Thoroughly. Open and close the door several times at different speeds. It should swing freely without binding, catching, or sagging. If the door sags on one side, one hinge may not be fully tightened or seated. If the door swings too fast or too slowly, check that the hinges are properly aligned. Make fine adjustments by slightly loosening a screw, repositioning the hinge, then re-tightening.
12. Repeat for Other Doors. If other cabinet doors have worn hinges, follow the same process for each one. You now have the routine down, so subsequent doors will move faster. Work methodically from top to bottom or left to right to avoid confusion.