How to Fix a Door That Sticks

Doors should swing silently and latch without effort, yet seasonal changes or house settling often lead to annoying sticking points. When a door binds against the frame, it is usually a sign that the frame has shifted slightly or the door has expanded due to humidity. Fixing this is a rewarding task that relies more on observation than brute force. Done well, this repair restores the perfect clearance between the door and the jamb. The secret is finding the precise point of contact before grabbing any tools; often, a simple hinge adjustment is all it takes to shift the entire door back into perfect alignment. We will go through the systematic process of finding the friction, tightening the supports, and removing only what is necessary.

1. Find the Friction Point. Close the door slowly and observe where it hits the frame. Look for paint transfer, wood shavings, or crushed paint along the edge of the door and the jamb.
2. Tighten All Hinge Screws. Check the hinge screws on both the door and the jamb side. Use a screwdriver to ensure they are seated firmly, as loose hinges cause the door to sag into the frame.
3. Shim Hinges for Clearance. If the door is still dragging on the latch side, loosen the screws on the middle or top hinge on the jamb side. Place a thin piece of cardboard or a store-bought hinge shim behind the hinge leaf and tighten the screws back down.
4. Mark Where It Binds. If adjusting the hinges does not solve the issue, mark the areas on the door edge where the rubbing is heaviest with a pencil. Use a light touch to avoid making the mark too wide.
5. Plane Away the Excess. Use a sharp block plane to remove very thin layers of wood from the high spots you marked. Work in the direction of the wood grain to avoid tear-out.
6. Seal the Planed Edge. Once the door swings freely, lightly sand the planed area to smooth it out. Apply a matching stain or paint to the raw wood to prevent moisture from soaking in.