Yes—you can and should tighten Door Hinges.
Loose hinges are one of the most common causes of sagging doors, rubbing, and latch misalignment. Tightening them is often the first and easiest fix.

Why Door Hinges Become Loose

• Daily use causes screws to back out over time

• Door weight pulls on the hinge side

• Wood around screw holes compresses or strips

• Temperature and humidity changes affect the frame

How to Tighten Door Hinges (Step-by-Step)

Tools Needed

• Phillips or flathead screwdriver (hand tool preferred)

Step 1: Check All Hinge Screws

• Inspect both the door-side and frame-side hinge screws

• Look for screws that spin freely or sit proud of the hinge leaf

Step 2: Tighten Loose Screws

• Tighten each screw firmly by hand

• Do not overtighten—this can strip the hole

If a screw tightens solidly, you’re done.

Step 3: Fix Stripped Screw Holes (If Needed)

If a screw won’t tighten:

• Remove the screw

• Fill the hole with wood glue + toothpicks (or wooden matchsticks)

• Break flush and let glue set briefly

• Reinstall the screw

For heavy doors, replace one short screw with a longer screw that reaches the wall stud.

Extra Fix for Sagging Doors (Pro Tip)

• On the top hinge, replace one frame-side screw with a 75–90 mm (3–3.5 in) screw

• Drive it into the wall stud to pull the door back into alignment

This often corrects sagging instantly.

When Tightening Isn’t Enough

Tightening alone won’t fix:

• Bent hinges

• Warped doors

• Incorrect hinge placement

• Fire-rated doors with certified alignment requirements

These require hinge shimming, repositioning, or door rehanging.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a power driver and stripping screws

• Ignoring the top hinge (most load-bearing)

• Tightening only door-side screws

• Not checking all hinges

Summary

✔ Yes, door hinges can be tightened
✔ It’s often the fastest fix for sagging or rubbing doors
✔ Repair stripped holes if screws won’t hold
✔ Use longer screws for a permanent fix on heavy doors