Support the door
Hold or shim the door so its weight is not pulling on the hinge while you work.
Cabinet repair guide
How do you fix loose cabinet doors and hinges?
A cabinet door that sags, rubs or will not stay aligned usually does not mean the cabinet is ruined. Modern concealed hinges have adjustment screws, and older hinges can often be tightened or re-mounted.
The one repair that needs more than a screwdriver is a stripped mounting hole. If the screw turns without tightening, the wood or composite material no longer has enough bite and the hole needs to be repaired before the hinge can hold again.
The short answer
First tighten the mounting screws, then use the hinge adjustment screws to set height, side-to-side position and depth. If a screw hole is stripped, repair the hole rather than installing a larger screw blindly. Replace a hinge that is bent, broken or worn out.
Diagnosis
A simple cabinet-door repair sequence
This order solves most loose or sagging doors without unnecessary parts.
Tighten mounting screws
Snug the hinge-to-door and hinge-to-cabinet screws. Stop if a screw spins.
Adjust alignment
Set side-to-side gap, depth and height using the correct screws for the hinge.
Repair or replace
Fix stripped holes and replace damaged hinges when adjustment no longer holds.
Common problems
What the symptom usually means
Cabinet doors are good at telling you what is wrong if you look at the reveals and hardware.
Door hangs low
One hinge may be loose, the mounting plate may have slipped or the hinge needs vertical adjustment.
Two doors hit each other
Side-to-side adjustment is usually off, or the cabinet box has moved.
Door will not close flush
Depth adjustment, a bent hinge or an obstruction can hold the door proud.
Screw will not tighten
The hole is stripped. The fastener needs sound material before it can clamp the hinge.
Door opens by itself
The cabinet may be out of level or the hinge spring may be weak.
Hinge keeps loosening
Repeated movement can enlarge the hole; simply retightening it may stop working.
Repair choice
When to adjust, repair or replace
The least invasive fix that holds securely is usually the best one.
Adjust the hinge when…
- The hardware is intact.
- Screws tighten normally.
- The door is only slightly out of alignment.
- Gaps changed after normal use.
Repair the mounting when…
- A screw spins in the hole.
- The hinge plate rocks.
- Particleboard is crumbling locally.
- The screw has been overtightened before.
Replace hardware when…
- The hinge is bent or cracked.
- The spring no longer controls the door.
- Adjustment screws are stripped.
- The hinge style is worn or obsolete.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this repair
Can you fix a stripped cabinet hinge screw hole?
Yes. The proper repair depends on the cabinet material and damage. The goal is to restore solid material for the screw rather than relying on an oversized screw that may split or weaken the cabinet.
Why do my cabinet doors keep going out of alignment?
Loose mounting screws, worn hinges, overloaded doors, cabinet movement and repeated slamming can all change alignment.
Can I replace one cabinet hinge instead of both?
Sometimes, but the replacement needs compatible geometry and overlay. On an older or worn pair, replacing both hinges on the door often gives more consistent movement.
How tight should cabinet hinge screws be?
Snug enough to clamp the hinge without crushing the cabinet material or stripping the hole. Overtightening is a common cause of failed screw holes in particleboard and MDF.
Need help with the repair?
Send VPS the problem and a few photos.
Virginia Pro Services handles residential repair and finish work throughout Hampton Roads. A clear description and photos are usually the fastest way to start.
This guide is general homeowner information. Hidden damage, structural conditions, local permit requirements and regulated trade work can change the proper repair approach.