If you’re just tightening the screws; more if you have to replace the hinges.
Cost
$0–$25
You might need a thing or two.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Phillips-head screwdriver (#2 screw tip)
SUPPLIES
New cabinet hinges (if necessary)
It can be mighty annoying when your cabinetry doesn’t open and close properly. However, it’s only natural for your cabinet doors to become misaligned over time, especially if you’re opening and closing them all day long while you cook your famous pasta dish or grab glasses of water. Luckily, learning how to adjust your cabinet hinges is a quick and easy process.
Here’s your handy guide to everything you need to know about adjusting your cabinet hinges, so you can operate your doors with ease.
First thing’s first: You’ll need to determine the type of cabinet door hinge you have before attempting to fix anything. While virtually all contemporary cabinets are made with adjustable hinges—allowing you to realign the door by moving it side to side, up and down, or in and out— some may have older hinges that don’t have adjustable screws. Check that each of the hinges has two or more screws, plus the mounting screws, before proceeding. If you’d like your cabinets to close quietly, consider installing soft-close hinges on the doors.
Determine the Problem With Your Hinges
It’s important to start off by determining what’s wrong with your cabinetry before you start adjusting the hinges. Often, the issue is simply that the mounting screws have become loose (which is an easy fix). However, you could also be dealing with loose hinge holes or cabinet doors that are too heavy for the existing hinges. These issues will require a bigger fix.
When you open the cabinet door, you should see two screws on the part of the hinge that’s attached to the door and two screws on the part of the hinge that’s attached to the cabinet. Use your Phillips-head screwdriver to tighten these screws clockwise until the door is secure.
If tightening the mounting screws didn’t solve the problem, then you need to make adjustments to the hinges. If your door is lower or higher than it should be, look for the screws on the hinge that let you move the door. To move the door up, turn the screw clockwise; to move it down, turn the screw counterclockwise.
If you need to move the doors sideways, turn the screw on the mounting plate that’s closest to the door. Keep closing the door as you work to check the alignment and make adjustments as needed. Alternatively, if the depth of your doors is off somehow, adjust the screw that’s farthest from the cabinet door (the one that’s located between the two mounting screws). Turn it clockwise if you need to move the door inward or counterclockwise if you need to move the door outward.
If you’ve tried to make the proper adjustments and your cabinets are still misaligned or sagging, it may be time to consider replacing the hinges. Some cabinet hinges are too old for adjustments, or the current hinges may not be able to support the weight of the door. Either way, it’s likely a good idea to replace the kitchen cabinet hardware altogether.
To replace the old hinges with new ones, you’ll need to remove the entire cabinet door. Use your screwdriver to remove all of the hardware, and then remove the screws from each hinge that attaches to the door. Remove the hinges from the cabinet frame and gently pull the door away.
Then, you can attach the new hinges to the door. Measure 2 inches up from the bottom of the door and 2 inches down from the top of the door, and mark both of these spots. Then you can use these marks to ensure that the new hinges are straight. Finish by re-attaching the doors.
DIY Cabinet Hinge Adjustment vs. Hiring a Pro
Don’t hesitate to consult a professional cabinet repair person near you if you need new hinges and don’t feel comfortable replacing them, or if you’ve tried to adjust your existing hinges and they’re still sagging or loose. The average cabinet repair job costs $300, but a cabinet repair contractor can provide the most accurate estimate for loose or broken hinges.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your cabinet doors won’t close properly, you may have an issue with the hinges. Go through the steps above to adjust them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the hinges.
If your cabinet doors feel too low or too high, you may have an issue with your hinges as well. Try tightening the screws on your hinges. If that doesn’t work, you can loosen your screws on the hinges, adjust the door slightly up or down and then tighten them again.
If you want to contain how much your cabinet doors can open, you may need to add cabinet door restraints or hinge restrictor clips. Both allow you to adjust how far your cabinet door opens so it won’t hit the wall.
Justine Harrington is an Austin-based writer with bylines in dozens of publications, including Forbes, Marriott Traveler, Real Simple Magazine, American Way, Travel + Leisure, Allrecipes, and many others.
Justine Harrington is an Austin-based writer with bylines in dozens of publications, including Forbes, Marriott Traveler, Real Simple Magazine, American Way, Travel + Leisure, Allrecipes, and many others.
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