How do I fix a drawer or cupboard that will not shut?
Kitchen hinges adjust in three directions — most misaligned doors are a screwdriver turn away from right.
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Time
- 20 min
- Read
- 2 min
Short answer
Modern kitchen hinges have three adjustment screws each: side to side, in and out, and up and down. Almost every misaligned cupboard door is corrected in two minutes without removing anything.
The concealed hinges on kitchen and bedroom units are designed to be adjusted, and almost nobody knows it. Doors that are out of line, catch on each other or stand proud are nearly always adjustment rather than damage.
What you'll need
- Cross-head screwdriver
- Torch (optional)
Step by step
- Open the door and look at the hinge.A concealed hinge has two or three screws on the arm. Typically one moves the door left and right, one moves it in and out, and one adjusts height on the mounting plate.
- Work out which way it is wrong.Close it and look at the gaps around it and against the neighbouring door. Consistent gaps all round is the target. Adjust one thing at a time.
- Adjust side to side first.The screw nearest the door front, usually. Small turns — a quarter turn moves the door noticeably. Adjust both hinges roughly equally.
- Then depth.The rear screw pulls the door closer to the carcass or pushes it out. This is what fixes a door that stands proud or does not close flush.
- Then height.Loosen the screws holding the mounting plate to the carcass, slide the door up or down, and retighten.
- Tighten everything that has worked loose.Handle screws, hinge plate screws, drawer runner screws. Vibration loosens them over years and it is often the whole problem.
- For drawers, check the runners.Something fallen behind the drawer is the classic cause. Take the drawer fully out and look. Then check the runners are level and firmly screwed.
- Repair stripped screw holes properly.A screw spinning in chipboard: fill the hole with wood glue and a matchstick or two, let it set, and re-drill. Longer screws alone usually strip again.
Tips
- Adjust in small increments and close the door between each. It is very easy to overshoot and lose track of where you started.
- If soft-close doors have stopped soft-closing, the damper is usually adjustable or replaceable rather than the whole hinge.
- Take a photo before you start. Useful if you adjust three things and want to get back.
Questions people ask
How do I adjust a kitchen cupboard door?
Concealed hinges have screws for side-to-side, in-and-out and height. Small turns, one adjustment at a time, checking the gaps after each.
Why does my drawer not close fully?
Most often something has fallen behind it. Take the drawer right out and look before assuming the runners have failed.