Why Your Door Sticks — and the 10-Minute Fix

Sticky doors are almost never about the door itself. Here's how to diagnose the real cause and fix it without planing anything.

Before you reach for a planer, check the hinges. Nine times out of ten, a sticky door is caused by loose hinge screws — especially the top hinge, which carries most of the weight.

Open the door, lift slightly on the knob, and watch the hinges. If you see any movement at all, the screws have worked loose in their holes. Swap the middle screw on the top hinge for a 3" wood screw that bites into the framing behind the jamb. That alone fixes most sticking.

If the door still rubs, mark the high spot with a piece of carbon paper folded over the edge. Close the door, and the rub will leave a mark exactly where to sand — usually a few passes with 120-grit is all it needs.

Painting the edge afterward keeps moisture out so the door doesn't swell back to its old shape next humid season.