How to Fix a Door That Won't Close Properly

A door that sticks, swings open on its own, or won't latch is more than annoying — it's a daily frustration. The good news is that most door problems have straightforward fixes that take less than 30 minutes.

Diagnose the Problem First

Close the door slowly and watch where it makes contact or gets stuck:

• Sticking at the top: The door is sagging — the top hinge may be loose
• Sticking at the bottom: The door has dropped — hinges may be worn
• Won't latch: The latch and strike plate are misaligned
• Sticking along the side: Humidity has caused the wood to swell (very common in Malé)

Fix 1: Tighten the Hinges

This solves about 60% of door problems. Hinge screws work loose over time, especially on heavy doors.

1. Open the door and check each hinge screw
2. Tighten any loose screws with a screwdriver
3. If a screw spins and won't tighten (the hole is stripped), remove it, fill the hole with a wooden toothpick and wood glue, let it dry, then re-drive the screw

Fix 2: Shim the Hinges

If the door rubs at the top on the latch side, the top hinge may need to be recessed slightly more (or the bottom hinge less).

• Place a thin piece of cardboard behind the bottom hinge to push the door up
• This adjusts the door angle without removing the entire frame

Fix 3: Adjust the Strike Plate

If the latch doesn't align with the strike plate hole in the frame:

1. Rub chalk or lipstick on the latch bolt
2. Close the door — the mark shows where the latch hits
3. If it's off by a few millimetres, file the strike plate opening to match
4. If it's off by more, remove and reposition the strike plate

Fix 4: Plane a Swollen Door

In Malé's humidity, wooden doors absorb moisture and swell. If the door sticks along its edge:

1. Mark the area where it sticks (close the door and look for the rub marks)
2. Remove the door from its hinges
3. Sand or plane the sticking edge — remove a small amount at a time
4. Seal the raw wood with paint or varnish to prevent future swelling

Fix 5: Door Swings Open or Closed on Its Own

This means the door frame isn't plumb (perfectly vertical).

• If the door swings open: the top hinge sticks out too far — try tightening it or adding a shim behind the bottom hinge
• If the door swings closed: the bottom hinge sticks out — reverse the approach
• A quick fix: bend the hinge pin slightly by removing it and tapping it with a hammer

When to Call for Help

If the door frame itself is warped, the wall has shifted, or you're dealing with a metal or glass door, it's best to call Easy Fix. Our technicians handle door adjustments, hinge replacements, and lock repairs across Malé every day.