4 Quick Fixes for Cabinet Doors that Won't Shut

There's nothing more annoying than a cabinet door in the kitchen or bathroom that won't close properly. It squeaks. It catches. Plus it makes the space look less "put together" no matter how clean it otherwise is. Ignoring a door that won't close correctly, can do damage to the hinge or door. That creates a more significant home project. But fear not, below we'll show you four simple fixes to get your cabinet door working as it should.

What you'll need:

The tools you'll need vary, depending on what's wrong with your door. So identify the fix needed below before spending money on these items:

• A screwdriver
• New hinges 
• Level
• Epoxy
• Drill with a small drill bit

Fix one: tighten the hinge screws

Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. Cabinet doors that see a lot of use may jostle their screws loose over time. If the screws are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. Do this sooner rather than later because allowing loose screws to remain loose will damage hinges and possibly the door over time.

Fix two: move the hinge

If your cabinet door never closed correctly, chances are it wasn't installed correctly. But fortunately, you can fix this too by moving the hinge to a new location. 

Start by unscrewing the problematic hinge. Then fill the holes with epoxy. This will harden and prevent the new screw holes from running into the old ones.

Determine where the hinge needs to be and place it there. Then mark holes with a pencil through the holes. Now, it's just a matter of drilling some new holes and screwing the hinge in.

*Pro tip* If you need to adjust the holes on the door itself, be careful not to drill all the way through.

Fix three: adjust the hinges

Some hinges are adjustable. This allows the hinge to fit into a recess or self-close the door. But these hinges can get off track. The door may then lean down slightly and not close well.

In this case, you'll need to adjust the cabinet door so that it is the same distance from the cabinet at both hinges. Then make sure the door is level. Now, tighten the screws on the hinges to hold the hinge and door in that position.

Fix four: replace the hinges

When you inspect the door, you may find that the hinge is warped. You may be able to hammer it out. But more likely, you'll want to replace it with a new hinge instead. Unscrew the existing hinge and screw a new one into the existing holes.

That door works as good as new. For more simple DIY home projects that can make a huge difference in how you live in and love your home, follow our blog.