How to fix a catching/rubbing door that won't close // Beginners guide

When doors start to stick, rub and catch it can be frustrating. All that rubbing and not closing isn't good for it if you force it, but how do you fix it? Today I'll show you how to fix most interior doors that won't close, and it's easier than you thing and can be done with hand tools.

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[Killerbrew]

Best video on YouTube for door adjustments.Well done !

[benmanns]

This is brilliant! Thanks Jesse - so informative; covers all bases and allows me to understand "why" it's fixing it, aside from just the "how". Cheers again!

[ricksjerkofalltrades]

Dude thank you so much for this video. I have a customer with either a swollen door or a very settled frame in his house, and after I tried a few tricks I know I was sure I'd have to just take it off and plane or sand it to fit. He just painted and I didn't want to have to mess up his paint job and take the time to touch it up myself when I was done. I could not find a single video with the kind of solutions I was looking for until I stumbled onto yours. That last trick I think might do it. I don't know why it never occurred to me to stick the striker side before but I'm going to try that out and keep it in my back pocket for the future. Thanks so much!

[GRJCLyon]

It's nice to see someone else who is proud of their work. Your work is super clean, nice lines and straight. Superb job and excellent attention to the little details that most wouldn't notice. There aren't many I would trust to work in my own house but you would be first in line. Great video.

[jasperedwards]

Your video is superb and way better than many on this same subject of sagging doors and doors not closing but rubbing. Super well done and I especially like the thing about using a level on the frames. Your's is the first I've seen to do that and it's a great idea. Thanks for posting. Very useful.

[jeffbecker]

Wow. What an amazing video. Clean, clear and all info. Appreciate the video very much.

[nancytersigni]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for this. I’m in the process of changing out all of my door hardware. I just change the hinges on one and it wouldn’t shot. But after watching this tutorial all I had to do was loosen a couple of screws on the top hinge and now the door closest perfectly! Thank you so much for posting this!

[youveryniceman]

Many thanks for your advice!, I thought my door had swelled due to a damp environment, followed your guidance & pretty much solved a problem door! can close the door now!

[vanzantd]

This is a great video. Never thought about screwing the striker side(which is where my issue is) to kinda straighten out the frame.

[jefferysimon]

Thanks for this breakdown! I was able to repair a door sticking by checking the hinge screws to the frame. They were loose. Adding some wood inside the screw hole and retightening fixed it up. 👍

[jcdeaton]

This worked for me and it has been driving me crazy! Thanks for the video.

[hooksnooks]

Oh man...I put in a new door a couple years ago and was wondering if I put it in wrong because it was perfect and the reveal was perfect and now it hits like your door did. Must have shifted like you said and now I'll be able to fix it though. Out side door. Thank you very much for such a helpful video. Great job.

[Desertascetic]

Thanks for the tutorial! Managed to fix a catching bedroom door with the elongated screw trick that you demonstrated. There’s still an 2 inch gap beneath the handle side... but what can you expect from a hundred and thirty year old house.

[lukehuang]

Hi Jesse,

Much appreciated for your guide.

What if the frame is not in the good status?

Many thanks,

[slepine]

Super helpful. Great presentation skills.

[aggie]

Question….. what if the reveal is tight at the hing side to wear its damaging the siding of the door as you close the door….?

In my case its the bottom hinge side…. Any advise will be great thanks…👍🏼

[dhamandrapatel]

I have a bathroom door that is hitting on the bottom latch side. I’ve tried bending the hinges, putting longer screws on the bottom hinge and screws are tight on all three hinges. I’ve tried those things to try and suck the door towards hinge side, but still hitting. Hinge side doesn’t have much gap between hinge and frame. I don’t want to shave the door or sand the frame. What do you recommend?
TIA!

[jeffbrown]

Hi Jesse. Thanks for the straightforward approach you take in all your videos. Sensible, understandable advice with excellent presentation and video skills. Kudos. My basement door has been bugging me for some time. I watched your video and fixed it in 10 minutes. I hit subscribe. Keep up the great work.

[catalinadamko]

Really useful video, it helped me a lot! Subscribed!

[bnappi]

Great video as I need help with a slight adjustment on my front door I'm trying to install. The top left of the door which is the other side from the hinges sticks out slightly. So when I close the door I have to push hard to keep it closed. I have tried to move the from slightly and can't seem to get this correct. Any help on how to tackle this?