Interior door not closing properly: how to fix it

An interior door that does not close properly can have various causes. Perhaps the door is rubbing against the frame, the hinges have sagged, or the latch bolt no longer fits correctly into the strike plate. With a few simple checks, you can usually quickly identify the source of the problem.

First, check where the door is rubbing

Close the door slowly and watch where it touches the frame. Does the door rub mainly at the top, bottom, or side? A door may have shifted due to use, temperature, or humidity, which changes its alignment.

Check the hinges

Next, examine the hinges or pivot hinges. Check whether they are secure and whether you see any play when you move the door. A loose or sagging hinge can cause the door to hang crookedly. Sometimes, tightening or readjusting them is enough.

Check the lock and the strike plate

Check whether the latch bolt of the lock fits neatly into the strike plate. If the door closes but does not latch, the lock and strike plate may no longer be properly aligned. Also, check if the strike plate is loose or has shifted.

When should you replace parts?

Are the hinges damaged, is the lock worn out, or does the strike plate remain misaligned despite adjustments? In that case, replacement may be necessary. If a door is severely warped or damaged, the cause may lie with the door leaf itself.

Practical tip: Do not try to file the strike plate larger right away. First, determine why the door is not aligning correctly. This prevents you from simply masking the problem temporarily.