Fix a Loose Door Hinge

A bedroom door that won't stay closed or swings open on its own usually has one loose hinge doing all the damage. The screws have worn oval-shaped holes in the doorframe over years of use, and no amount of tightening will grab fresh wood. It's the most common door problem in houses older than five years, and it's fixable in under an hour without removing the door. The repair depends on whether the screw holes are slightly worn or completely stripped. Slightly loose screws need longer replacements. Stripped holes need to be filled and redrilled. Either way, you're giving those screws fresh wood to bite into, and the door will hang true again.

1. Identify which hinge is loose. Open the door halfway and lift up on the knob. If the door rises easily, the top hinge is loose. If it doesn't budge, check the middle or bottom hinge. Look for screws that spin without tightening or hinge plates that have visible gaps from the frame.
2. Try tightening with a longer screw first. Remove one screw from the loose hinge plate on the doorframe side. Replace it with a screw that's half an inch longer but the same diameter. If it grabs solid wood and tightens firmly, replace the other screws in that hinge with the same length. If it still spins, the hole is too stripped for this fix.
3. Remove the hinge if screws won't tighten. Unscrew the loose hinge completely from the doorframe, leaving it attached to the door. Prop the door open with a folded towel under the bottom corner so it doesn't swing while you work. Examine the screw holes in the frame—if they're enlarged or splintered, they need to be filled.
4. Fill stripped screw holes. Squirt wood glue into each stripped hole. Push wooden golf tees or toothpicks coated in glue into the holes until they're packed tight. Let them stick out a quarter inch. Once the glue is tacky but not dry—about five minutes—tap the golf tees or toothpicks flush with a hammer. Let the glue cure for thirty minutes.
5. Cut the plugs flush. Use a utility knife or chisel to trim any protruding wood flush with the doorframe surface. Don't dig into the frame. The goal is a flat surface where the hinge plate will sit without gaps.
6. Reinstall the hinge plate. Position the hinge plate back in its mortise on the doorframe. Start one screw by hand to make sure it bites into the new wood. Drive all screws firmly but don't overtighten—you'll strip the fresh repair. The plate should sit flush and flat against the frame.
7. Test the door swing. Remove the towel prop and swing the door through its full range several times. It should move smoothly without sagging or binding. Try the lift test again—grab the knob with the door half open and lift up. There should be no movement at the hinge.
8. Touch up the repair if visible. If you're particular about appearance, fill any gaps around the golf tees with wood filler, let it dry, and sand smooth. Touch up with paint that matches the doorframe. Most people skip this step since the hinge plate covers the repair completely.