Pocket door off track

How a pocket door hangs

A pocket door hangs from two roller hangers that run in a metal track hidden in the header above the opening. Each hanger clips into a plate screwed to the top edge of the door, and a nut on each hanger sets the door's height. A small guide at the floor, near the mouth of the pocket, keeps the bottom of the door from swinging side to side.

The track and most of the door are hidden in the wall, which is why pocket door trouble feels mysterious. In most cases, though, the problem is at the rollers, the hanger plates or inside the pocket, and all of those can be reached through the doorway. Long nails from trim or wall hangings can poke into the pocket and scrape the door too.

Why pocket doors come off track

Let's fix it

1. Look inside the pocketSlide the door out as far as it goes and shine a flashlight into the pocket and along the top. Look for anything that fell in, nails or screws poking through, or a door that's hanging crooked. Pull out anything loose and note where the door rubs.
   Done

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2. Remove the trim on one sideThe opening is trimmed with split jambs: thin strips on each side of the door at the top and along the pocket side. Gently pry off the head jamb strip on one side with a putty knife and small pry bar, and the side strip if needed, working from the end so you don't crack it. Some are held with screws instead of nails.
   Done

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3. Lift the door off its hangersWith the door pulled out of the pocket and the top exposed, find where each hanger clips into the plate on top of the door. Many have a small lever or locking clip to release. If the floor guide holds the bottom of the door, unscrew it first. With a helper holding the door, release both hangers and lift the door out of the opening, tilting the bottom out first.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • The hanger won't release Look for a small lever or locking tab on the plate; some turn a quarter turn to unlock.

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4. Check the rollers and trackSpin each roller by hand. Wheels that wobble, are cracked, or don't turn freely should be replaced, as a pair so the door rides level; buy hangers that match the track's brand and size. Shine a light along the track and wipe out dirt or debris. If a section of track is bent or has pulled loose from the header, it may need professional repair.
   Done

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5. Rehang and adjust the heightClip the door back onto both hangers, making sure each locks into its plate. Turn the adjusting nuts to raise or lower each end until the door clears the floor evenly and its edge lines up with the door jamb when closed. Slide it in and out a few times to check that it rolls smoothly.
   Done

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6. Set the floor guidesCheck the guide at the floor near the mouth of the pocket. It should straddle the door lightly so the bottom stays centered without rubbing. Adjust its screws or move it so the door slides freely and doesn't hit the sides of the pocket.
   Done

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7. Reinstall the trim and testPut the split jamb strips back with short finish nails or the original screws, keeping nails short enough that they don't poke into the pocket. Slide the door all the way in and out to make sure nothing catches. A dab of dry lubricant on the floor guide can quiet it.
   Done

   Something went wrong?

   • It still scrapes after rehanging Check the floor guide and look for a nail or screw poking into the pocket.

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Watch it done

The Easiest Way To Fix A Pocket Door Off Its TrackBy The Funny Carpenter on YouTube. Their method may vary a little from ours.

Watch on YouTube

If it's a different door

If a regular hinged door sticks or won't latch, we have a guide for a door that won't latch.

If a sliding patio door is hard to open, see the guide for a sliding door that's hard to open.

Pocket door questions