How do you fix a cabinet door that won t close all the way?

Quick Answers

There are a few common reasons why a cabinet door may not fully close:

– The door is out of alignment and needs to be adjusted. This is often caused by loose or worn hinges.

– The latch is not catching properly. The striker plate may need to be adjusted.

– There is something obstructing the door from closing completely. Items stored in the cabinet could be in the way.

– The door has warped or sagged over time. Minor wood flaws may need to be sanded down.

– The cabinets were not properly installed and are uneven or unlevel. Shimming may be required to improve alignment.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis and Repair Process

Figuring out why a cabinet door won’t close completely and how to fix it is usually a straightforward process:

1. Inspect the hinges – Are the screws loose? Are the hinges damaged or worn out? Do the doors still hang straight with hinges fully attached?

2. Check for alignment – Use a level to see if the cabinets and doors are plumb and square. Look for gaps between doors and cabinets.

3. Test the latch – Does the latch and striker plate line up properly? Does the latch catch but then pop back open?

4. Look for obstructions – Remove all contents from inside the cabinet and try closing the door again. If it now closes properly, something inside was likely blocking it.

5. Check for warping – Run your hand along the door to feel for any areas that are warped or sagging. Look at door edges to see if gaps are consistent.

6. Adjust hinges – If doors are misaligned, you can adjust the hinges by loosening screws and moving the door gradually.

7. Adjust or replace latch – Use a screwdriver to move the striker plate until the latch catches securely. Install a new latch if needed.

8. Sand or plane door – For minor warping, you may be able to sand or use a hand plane to flatten the door again. Be cautious not to over-sand.

9. Shim under cabinets – For major alignment issues, you may need to cut and insert shims between cabinets and the wall/floor.

10. Replace door – For severe damage or warping, it may be easiest to install a new replacement cabinet door. Make sure it is square and plumb.

Following these steps methodically can help diagnose what is wrong and allow you to fix a stubborn cabinet door that refuses to close completely. Be patient, go slowly, and double check your work along the way.

Common Causes of Cabinet Doors Not Closing Properly

There are several frequent causes of cabinet doors that do not fully shut or pop back open after closing:

Worn Out or Loose Hinges

Over years of use, cabinet door hinges can slowly become loose as the screw holes are enlarged. Or the hinge joint wears out and develops play. This allows the door to sag and become misaligned. Tightening the hinge screws or installing new hinges will usually realign and support the door properly again.

Out of Alignment from Installation

If kitchen cabinets were not installed plumb and level by the contractor or homeowner, it can throw off door alignment and prevent proper closure. Using shims under cabinets and careful hinge adjustments can compensate for minor alignment flaws.

Obstructing Contents

Kitchen cabinet doors that suddenly stop closing fully may have something interfering inside the cabinet. Pots, containers or food items can shift around and block the door swing. Unloading everything from the shelves usually solves this problem. Proper organizers can help prevent it.

Warped Door

Wood doors can develop warps or sags over time as they expand and contract with humidity. A slightly warped door will still close but adds pressure on the latch. Sanding the door edge or switching to a composite material door can eliminate this issue.

Damaged or Misaligned Latch

If a latch is damaged or the striker plate becomes loose, it may fail to catch when closing the door. This results in the door popping back open. Adjusting the striker plate position or installing a new latch will fix this.

Uneven Cabinet Installation

Improperly leveled wall cabinets or a floor that is not flat under base cabinets can cause misalignment. Shimming under cabinet legs and using longer hinge screws to pull doors into alignment is required.

Being aware of these common issues makes it easier to diagnose and repair a cabinet door that refuses to stay closed when you push it shut.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Adjusting Hinges

One of the most common solutions for a cabinet door that will not close correctly is to adjust the hinges:

Materials Needed

– Phillips screwdriver
– Pencil
– Tape measure
– Drill (for tightening loose hinge holes)

Instructions

1. Open door and loosen all hinge screws. Do not remove screws completely.

2. Close door lightly until gap appears. Mark gap location with pencil.

3. Open door. Using a tape measure, note the gap distance from cabinet frame to door.

4. Loosen top and bottom hinge screws further.

5. For gaps at top of door – lift door slightly and tighten top hinge screw.

6. For gaps at bottom of door – lift door and tighten bottom hinge screw.

7. Check gap after tightening each hinge. Continue adjusting and tightening until gap is eliminated.

8. Drill pilot holes and insert longer screws if hinge holes are enlarged. This provides more holding power.

9. Check door alignment and latch operation after adjusting hinges. Make minor tweaks until door hangs squarely.

Adjusting cabinet hinges requires patience and trial-and-error, but most alignment issues can be corrected with this process. Be sure to tighten screws securely when finished.

How to Repair Common Latch and Striker Plate Issues

If a kitchen cabinet door will not stay closed due to problems with the latch or striker plate, here are ways to fix some common issues:

Latch Not Catching

– Make sure magnet is tight and catching strike plate. Tighten latch screws if needed.

– Adjust striker plate left/right until magnet catches fully when door is closed.

– Ensure latch faceplate and striker plate are aligned vertically. Move striker up or down.

– File notch in striker plate wider or deeper if latch is not engaging properly.

Latch Not Staying Closed

– Verify latch faceplate and striker plate are parallel. Adjust striker if angled wrong.

– Bend latch hook so it hooks tightly over striker plate when closed.

– File top of striker plate down very slightly if latch is releasing too easily.

Latch Hole Misaligned

– Enlarge latch hole in door or cabinet face frame if needed to line up with striker plate.

– Fill old holes with wood putty after moving latch assembly. Drill new holes.

– Buy longer latch screws if current ones are too short due to hole enlargement.

Loose Latch

– Tighten latch screws securely into wood door or cabinet frame. Do not overtighten.

– If latch screw holes are stripped, fill holes with toothpicks and wood glue before re-screwing. Allows tighter grip.

– For metal cabinet doors, use thread locking fluid on latch screws to prevent loosening.

Worn Out Latch

– Replace old latch that has loose, sloppy motion or excessive play when handle is turned. New latch will close tightly.

– Upgrade to ball-catch or roller-catch latches for smoother closing action and positive door closure.

Adjusting a worn or incorrectly installed latch is often quicker than realigning cabinet door hinges. Take time to ensure the latch fully engages and stays closed when troubleshooting doors.

How to Fix Minor Warping on Cabinet Doors

Slightly warped or out-of-square cabinet doors can often be repaired instead of replaced:

Tools Needed

– Sandpaper (100-150 grit)
– Sanding block
– Hand plane and extra blades
– Eye and ear protection

Sanding Technique

1. Determine which side has warped – Use straightedge to find high spots. Mark with pencil.

2. Lay door flat on scrap wood to elevate it off work surface. Protect door surface.

3. Using sanding block, sand in direction of wood grain to gradually flatten high spots. Check frequently with straightedge.

4. Sand evenly across door without focusing too long in one spot to prevent over-sanding.

5. Continue sanding until door lies flat and door edges are square along entire length.

6. Vacuum door thoroughly, wipe clean, and seal or finish sanded areas.

Pro Tips

– Keep the sanded area to a minimum to avoid making door too loose in cabinet opening.

– Use plane instead of sandpaper for quicker removal in badly warped sections. Make light passes.

– If door corners are not square, sand the long edges evenly until 90 degree angle is achieved.

– Replace door rather than sanding too aggressively if wood is badly twisted or warped in multiple planes.

With care and proper technique, light sanding can often extend the life of a warped cabinet door by years. It is worth trying before incurring the cost of a full door replacement.

How to Shim Cabinets for Proper Alignment

Using shims to level misaligned kitchen cabinets and correct closure issues is a common technique:

Types of Shims

– Wood shims – Made from dense hardwood, come in standard thicknesses. Easy to cut and sand.

– Plastic shims – Lightweight but rigid. Textured surface provides friction. Reusable.

– Metal shims – Very thin yet sturdy. Can be bent or twisted if needed. Lasts for decades.

Shimming Process

1. Clear cabinets and open doors to access cabinet frames.

2. Identify gaps and high/low spots relative to adjoining cabinets or the floor/wall.

3. Cut shims to match thickness of gaps discovered during inspection.

4. Insert shims at bottom corners to raise cabinets or under fronts to level.

5. Check door closure and realign hinges after shimming. Allow glue to fully dry if used.

6. Make additional minor shim adjustments until cabinet boxes are plumb and doors hang/close properly.

7. Secure shims with small finish nails and trim excess. Conceal shims if needed before replacing contents.

Tips

– Use wood glue to secure wood shims for a permanent bond if desired.

– Stack multiple thin shims if a thicker shim is not available.

– Consider removing doors and drawers to easily access cabinet frames when shimming extensively.

– Combine shims with new hinge screws in severely misaligned cabinets to close gaps.

Taking the time to properly shim cabinets can go a long way toward fixing closure and alignment issues permanently.

When to Replace Cabinet Doors

In certain situations, it becomes necessary to replace damaged cabinet doors rather than attempting repair:

Obvious Damage or Flaws

– Large cracks, splits, missing pieces, or holes that cannot be filled.

– Badly dented or scratched door surface.

– Significantly warped or twisted frame.

– Moisture damage causing swelling or delamination.

Poor Condition from Age

– Outdated or undesirable style.

– Faded finish and worn, splintering surfaces.

– Layers of paint that obscure detailing.

– Loose joints or failing glue bonds.

Ineffective Quick Fixes

– Extensive hinge adjustments do not resolve issue.

– Sanding or planing has thinned door to the point of being unstable.

– Shims and realignment cannot compensate for fundamental flaws.

– Previous repairs have damaged structural integrity.

Safety Concerns

– Presence of mold, lead paint or other contaminants.

– Excessive damage creates sharp edges or points.

– Unstable doors could fall and injure someone.

Replacement vs Refacing

For minor surface issues, refacing with new veneer or painted finishes can restore cabinet doors economically. But when core structural problems exist, a full door replacement becomes the better option.

How to Install New Replacement Cabinet Doors

Putting in new cabinet doors is a straight-forward DIY project for most homeowners:

Ordering Replacement Doors

– Carefully measure width, height, and depth of existing doors and cabinet openings.

– Match dimensions as closely as possible for easy installation.

– Order new doors unfinished, primed, or with stain/paint to match existing cabinets.

– Select matching or improved hardware such as hinges, pulls, latches, etc.

Removing Old Doors

– Remove all contents from cabinets and disconnect old door hardware.

– Number doors and shelves to ensure proper reinstallation locations.

– Have assistant support doors while removing hinge screws. Set doors aside.

– Clean away old caulk, screws or other debris from cabinet frames.

Installing New Doors

– Attach new hinges using manufacturer’s template and screws provided.

– Hang new doors and test for proper alignment, closing, etc. Make any hinge adjustments needed.

– Install additional hardware like latches, knobs or pulls using caulk if needed to fill old holes.

– Seal and finish raw wood doors using masking tape and drop cloths to protect surroundings.

– Allow finish to fully cure before reloading cabinets.

With some simple DIY skills, new cabinet doors can easily be swapped for old ones to give your kitchen a fresh updated look.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting and repairing stuck cabinet doors involves careful diagnosis of the issue, methodical adjustments, and patience. In many cases, realigning hinges, fixing latches, sanding warp, or shimming cabinets can get doors working properly again. Knowing when repairs are no longer feasible and replacement becomes the best option also helps. With a little time invested, you can extend the life of your cabinet doors and keep them functioning smoothly for many years before needing to replace. The satisfaction of reviving a stubborn door through your own handy work is very rewarding.