Doors & windows

Fix a squeaky door hinge

That squeak usually means a dry hinge is letting metal rub against metal every time you open the door. A quick spray may help for a few days, but greasing the hinge pin gives you a longer-lasting fix. Set aside about ten minutes. You don't need anything fancy. A little white lithium grease or even petroleum jelly on the pin works fine for most hinges.

A hand wiping grease onto the pin of a door hinge, with a hammer and screwdriver on the shelf behind
Grease on the hinge pin lasts longer than a quick spray.
Quick answerPull each hinge pin, wipe it clean and coat it with grease. It lasts far longer than a spray.
Worth checking firstOpen and close the door slowly and listen at each hinge; usually only one is squeaking. Fix that one, and put a towel under the door before you tap the pin out so it doesn't drop and scratch the floor.

Good to knowQuick fixRenter-friendlyGood first repairUnder $10

Mike TurnerWritten and reviewed byMike TurnerUpdated Sources and safety notes
Easy10 min$0–8
Fixing a squeaky door hinge by tapping out the pin and coating it with lithium grease
How to fix a squeaky door. Tap the hinge pin up from below with a nail (3), wipe it clean, coat it with lithium grease (2), and tap it back in. One hinge at a time (4).

Spray or grease?

The squeak comes from the hinge pin, the rod that runs down through the middle of each hinge. Spray aimed at the hinge rarely reaches the whole pin, and it wears off. Pulling the pin, cleaning it and greasing it takes a little longer and lasts much longer.

Where the squeak comes from

Dry hinge pins

The pin that holds the hinge together rubs as the door swings.

Dust and rust

Grit gets into the hinge and turns into a grinding paste.

Paint on the hinge

Hinges painted over along with the trim can bind and squeak.

A sagging door

If the door rubs on the frame too, the noise might not be the hinge at all.

What to put on a squeaky hinge
LubricantHow long it lasts
White lithium greaseMonths to years. Our pick.
Silicone sprayA few months, and it doesn't collect much dust.
Petroleum jellyA decent fix in a pinch.
WD-40Days or weeks. It cleans, but doesn't stay.
Protect the floorPut a towel under the door to catch drips, especially over carpet.

Quiet the hinge

0 of 5 done
  1. Close the doorA closed door holds itself in place, so you can pull pins without it sagging.
    Closed door with its hinges, so the door holds itself up while hinge pins are removed
  2. Tap the pin upPut a nail against the bottom of the hinge pin and tap upward with a hammer until you can pull it out by hand. Only do one hinge at a time.
    Something went wrong?
    • The pin won't come up Put a drop of penetrating oil at the top, wait a few minutes, and tap harder with a nail set. Some hinges have a cap on the bottom that has to come off first.
    Nail and hammer tapping a door hinge pin upward from underneath
  3. Clean itWipe off old gunk and rust with a paper towel. A little steel wool helps if it's crusty.
    Hinge pin wiped with a paper towel and steel wool to remove rust and grime
  4. Grease and reinsertCoat the pin with a thin layer of lithium grease and tap it back in. Wipe off any extra.
    Thin coat of white lithium grease on the hinge pin before tapping it back in
  5. Repeat and swing itDo the other hinges, then open and close the door several times to spread the grease.
    Door swung back and forth several times to work the grease into the hinge

Watch it done

How to Quiet a Squeaky DoorBy This Old House on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.
Watch on YouTube
How you'll know it's fixed
  • The door opens and closes several times without a squeak
  • Each hinge pin is seated all the way back in
  • No extra grease dripping from the hinges

Still squeaking? Hold each hinge while someone swings the door to find it.

If one hinge keeps squeaking

Hold each hinge while someone swings the door. The one you can feel squeaking is the one that needs more grease, and it's often just one.

If the pin is badly rusted, replacing the hinge costs a few dollars and takes minutes.

No grease on hand?Out of grease? A thin smear of petroleum jelly or even a bar of soap rubbed on the pin works in a pinch.
Worth calling a handyman ifA door that drags on the floor or won't latch. That's usually loose hinge screws or the house settling, which a handyman can fix quickly.Fix it yourself or call? Compare the cost →

What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A handyman might charge $75–$150, but this is one of the easiest DIY jobs in the house.

Find a handyman near you

Other door problems

Squeaky door questions

Why not just use WD-40?

It works for a short time, but it's thin and evaporates. A grease coats the pin longer.

Should I remove the door to do this?

No. Keep it closed and work one hinge at a time so the door stays supported.

Why does my door still squeak after oiling it?

Oil sprays often don't reach the whole pin and wear off. Remove the pin, clean it, and coat it with grease.

Can bar soap fix a squeaky door?

Rubbing bar soap on the pin works briefly, but grease lasts much longer.

Will grease stain the door or floor?

Not if you wipe off the extra. Use a thin coat, and keep a paper towel under the hinge while you tap the pin back in.

What should I put on squeaky hinges?

Grease. Pull each hinge pin, wipe it clean and coat it, which lasts far longer than a spray.

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GrabTheHammer Team

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We're a small team of writers and editors who check every guide against manufacturer instructions and common code requirements. Our goal is to help you understand the problem, tackle what you safely can and know when to call a pro.

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A helpful next stepFix a door that sticks or won't latchCheck the top hinge first. A longer screw often pulls the door back into line.