A door that sticks, drags, or refuses to latch is one of the most common household annoyances. The cause is almost always one of three things: loose hinges, a shifted frame, or a swollen door. The fix is usually quick and requires only basic tools.

How to Fix a Sticking Door

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

Close the door slowly and identify exactly where it sticks. Look at the gap between the door and the frame on all four sides. The gap should be roughly even (about 1/8 inch) all the way around.

Sticking at the top on the latch side: The top hinge is loose, allowing the door to sag
Sticking at the bottom on the latch side: Same cause — hinge sag
Sticking on the hinge side: Hinges are set too deep or the frame has shifted
Sticking everywhere seasonally: The door has absorbed moisture and swollen

Fix 1: Tighten the Hinges

This solves the problem 70 percent of the time. Open the door and tighten all hinge screws with a screwdriver. Pay special attention to the top hinge, which bears the most weight.

If the screws spin without tightening (the screw holes are stripped), try these fixes:

Longer screws: Replace the short hinge screws with 3-inch screws that reach through the door jamb and into the wall stud behind it. This is the single most effective fix for a sagging door.
Toothpick shims: Remove the screw, insert two or three toothpicks coated with wood glue into the hole, break them off flush, and drive the screw back in. The toothpicks give the screw fresh wood to grip.
Wooden golf tees: Same technique as toothpicks but for larger, more damaged screw holes.

Fix 2: Adjust the Strike Plate

If the door closes but the latch does not click into the strike plate:

Examine the strike plate for wear marks showing where the latch is hitting
If the latch misses by less than 1/8 inch, file the strike plate opening slightly with a metal file to enlarge it in the right direction
If the latch misses by more than 1/8 inch, remove the strike plate, plug the old screw holes with toothpick shims, and reposition the strike plate to align with the latch

Fix 3: Plane or Sand the Door

If tightening hinges does not solve the sticking, the door needs material removed where it contacts the frame.

Mark the sticking area by rubbing chalk or lipstick on the frame edge and closing the door — the transferred mark shows exactly where contact occurs
For minor sticking (1/16 inch or less): Sand the marked area with 80-grit sandpaper wrapped around a block. Sand, check the fit, repeat until the door swings freely.
For moderate sticking (1/16 to 1/8 inch): Use a hand plane or belt sander. If planing the hinge side, you may be able to plane without removing the door by opening it fully and planing the edge with the door supported on its hinges.
For significant sticking (more than 1/8 inch): Remove the door by tapping out the hinge pins (bottom hinge first). Use a circular saw with a guide to trim the edge, or a power planer. Rehang and test.

After planing or sanding, seal the exposed wood with primer or finish to prevent moisture absorption.

Fix 4: Reset the Hinge Mortise

If the door binds on the hinge side, the hinge mortises may be too deep. This forces the door toward the frame on that side.

Remove the hinge leaf from the jamb
Cut a thin cardboard shim to the size of the hinge mortise
Place the shim in the mortise
Reinstall the hinge over the shim

The shim pushes the door slightly away from the hinge side of the frame. Use a single layer of cardboard for a small adjustment or two layers for more.

Seasonal Swelling

Wood doors absorb moisture in humid weather and swell. If the door sticks only in summer:

Run a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity
Seal all edges of the door, including the top and bottom, with paint or polyurethane to reduce moisture absorption
If necessary, plane the door to fit during the humid season, accepting that a slight gap will appear in winter

Prevention

Tighten hinge screws annually as part of your home maintenance routine
Keep doors painted or sealed on all six surfaces (front, back, top, bottom, and both edges)
Install door stops to prevent slamming, which loosens hinges
Address sticking doors promptly — a door that drags eventually damages the floor or threshold