Likely cause: sagging hinges
Loose top-hinge screws or stripped screw holes let the door drop slightly. Check hinge screws before removing wood.
Door troubleshooting guide
Why won’t my door close properly?
Most doors that stop closing properly are not “bad doors.” Something moved. The door may be sagging on its hinges, the strike plate may be out of alignment, humidity may have swollen the slab, or the jamb may have shifted.
Where the door rubs tells you a lot. Before you sand, plane or start moving hardware, look at the gap around the door and find the exact point of contact.
The short answer
The most common causes are loose hinges, latch misalignment, seasonal swelling, paint buildup, a warped slab or a shifted jamb. Start with hinges because they are easy to inspect and often responsible for the classic “rubs at the top latch-side corner” problem.
Symptom guide
What the door is telling you
Open and close the door slowly and watch exactly where it first touches.
Likely cause: alignment changed
The door may have sagged, the jamb may have shifted, or the strike plate may need a small adjustment.
Likely cause: swelling or tight fit
Humidity, layers of paint or an overly tight original installation can reduce the clearance.
Likely cause: sag or floor change
Loose hinges can lower the latch side. New flooring or a rug can also create a clearance problem.
Likely cause: frame not plumb
A jamb that is out of plumb or hinges installed out of plane can make the door swing instead of staying put.
Likely cause: broader movement
Seasonal framing movement is possible, but multiple doors plus new cracks or floor changes deserve more investigation.
Five-minute inspection
Check these before modifying the door
Tighten the hinge screws
Especially the top hinge. A screw that spins without tightening may have a stripped hole.
Look for shiny rub marks
Fresh scuffs on paint or wood usually reveal the exact contact point.
Test the latch gently
Close the door slowly and watch whether the latch is high, low or too far in/out from the strike opening.
Think about season and moisture
If the problem comes and goes with humid weather, avoid aggressive planing until you know how the door behaves year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Why does my door hit the top corner of the frame?
A common cause is door sag from loose or stripped hinge screws, especially at the top hinge. Tightening and properly anchoring the hinge is usually the first thing to check.
Why does my door close but not latch?
The latch and strike plate are probably out of alignment. That can happen from loose hinges, jamb movement, seasonal swelling or a strike plate that needs minor adjustment.
Can humidity make a door stop closing?
Yes. Wood absorbs moisture and can swell during humid weather. Hampton Roads summers can make a marginally tight wood door rub even when it worked fine in winter.
Can a sticking door mean foundation trouble?
Sometimes, but not usually. One sticky door is often a hinge, fit or humidity issue. Several doors changing at once, new diagonal cracks or obvious frame movement deserve a closer look.
Virginia Pro Services
Have a repair list you want to get moving?
Send us the scope and a few photos if you have them. We can review the project and give you a clear starting point for your Hampton Roads home.
Prices and project conditions vary. This guide is for planning purposes and is not a quote.