When your cabinet doors begin to droop sideways, don’t come off your hinges. You probably just have some loose screws. Not you, the cabinet door. Here’s how to fix it.
Make sure you have another person to help. One of you will twist the screws while the other supports the door. Close the cabinet door and see which way it needs to move. Is it hanging crooked? Is it too low or too high? Does it not shut all the way? Open the door wide so you can access the hinges.
Loose Screws
Now let’s talk about those screws. Notice the hinge has four screws; one on top, one on bottom, and two in the middle section. We’ll explain each screw and what it does.
The top and bottom screws move the cabinet door up and down. Adjust these screws if the door is hanging too high or too low. You will probably have to do this for both the door hinges at once.
- Loosen both screws gradually. Make sure the second person is supporting the door or it will fall out of place
- Slide the door the direction it needs to go.
- Firmly tighten the screws.
The front screw moves your cabinet door in and out, or forward and backward. Adjust it if the door leaves a gap when you close it. It’s the screw closest to the outside with the door open.
- Loosen the screw.
- Push the door further in or pull it out.
- Tighten the screw.
The back screw moves the door left and right, depending which way you turn it. Adjust this if the door hangs crooked. This screw is the one closest to the back of the cabinet with the door open.
- Turn the screw clockwise to move the door closer to the frame. Turn it counterclockwise to move the door away from the frame.
- Adjust both hinges until you get the door just right.
Don’t try to adjust all the screws at once. Do each direction separately. Don’t rush yourself. Adjust the hinges a little bit at a time. Close the door in between to inspect your progress.
Stripped Holes
Screws can work their way loose over time. If they’re not tightened, they’ll eventually strip the hole. If this happens, you’ll need to repair the hole. Here are two ways to do this:
Solution #1: Dip four to five toothpicks into woodworking glue and stick them in the hole. Break off the toothpicks at the surface of the hole and replace the screw. Some people have used golf tees or wooden match sticks instead.
Solution #2: Drill out the hole using a drill bit with a collar on it. Glue a wooden dowel into the hole with wood glue. Let it dry and cut off the end so it’s even with the cabinet. Then drill a screw hole into the dowel and screw in the hinge.
The best thing to do is check your cabinet hinges every few months and tighten any loose screws. This will keep them level and you can keep your head on straight.
