Fix stripped door hinge screws
When a hinge screw just spins, the wood behind it is stripped, and the door starts to sag. You can fix it two ways: fill the hole with glued wood tapped in with a hammer, or drive a longer screw through the jamb into the framing behind it. Either takes less than an hour.
Why hinge screws strip
Hinge screws go into the door jamb, which is usually a thin piece of wood. Over years of opening and closing, the screw threads chew the hole bigger until they have nothing left to grip.
A loose top hinge is the usual reason a door sags, rubs the frame or won't latch. Fixing the screws often fixes all three.
What wears the holes out
Years of use enlarge the hole.
They have little wood to grip.
It puts extra strain on the top hinge.
It strips the threads in the wood.
| Situation | Fix | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One or two screws spin | Glue and wood fill | Gives the screw fresh wood. |
| The top hinge sags | A 3-inch screw into the framing | Reaches solid wood. |
| The jamb is split | Glue and clamp, or a pro | The wood itself is damaged. |
| The hinge is bent | Replace the hinge | Tight screws won't fix it. |
Let's fix it
- Support the doorOpen the door and slide a wedge or a book under the latch side so the door's weight is off the hinge you're fixing. Take out the stripped screws.
- Fill the holeDip a wooden golf tee, a few wooden toothpicks or a piece of dowel in wood glue and push it into the stripped hole. Tap it in snugly with a hammer.
- Trim it flushLet the glue dry as long as the bottle says, usually at least an hour. Then cut or snap off the extra wood and trim it flush with a utility knife or chisel so the hinge sits flat.
- Rescrew the hingeDrill a small pilot hole in the center of the patch and drive the original screw back in. Stop when it's snug; overtightening strips it again.
- Or use a longer screwFor the top hinge, you can instead replace one screw with a 3-inch screw that goes through the jamb into the framing behind it. Use the hole closest to the doorstop, drill a pilot hole first, and don't overtighten, or you can pull the jamb out of line.
If it still sags
If the door still sags with tight screws, the hinges may be bent or worn. Replace them with the same size.
If the patch strips again, use a longer screw that reaches the framing behind the jamb.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): A handyman typically charges $75–$150 to repair hinge screws and adjust a door.
Other door problems
Hinge screw questions
Can I use toothpicks to fix a stripped screw hole?
Yes. Wooden toothpicks dipped in wood glue work well for small holes. For bigger holes, a wooden golf tee or a dowel fills it better.
How long should hinge screws be?
The screws that come with hinges are often short. A 3-inch screw in the top hinge reaches the framing and holds a heavy door much better.
Why does my door sag?
Usually the top hinge screws are loose or stripped, letting the door drop away from the frame at the top.
Do I need to take the door off?
No. Support it with a wedge under the latch side and fix one hinge at a time.
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