Fix It
How to Fix a Stripped Cabinet Hinge
Decide if you can save the hinge, what filler actually holds, and how to avoid a crooked door when you’re done.
Before you start — safety
- Support the door before removing hinge screws so it doesn’t drop.
- Keep glue and filler off finished faces—mask if needed.
Steps
- 01
Check whether the screw hole is stripped
If the screw spins freely and won’t bite, the wood fibers around the hole are worn. That’s the problem you’re fixing—not the hinge itself in most cases.
- 02
Remove the door and hinge
Support the door, back out the screws, and set hardware aside in order. Mark which hinge goes where if you remove more than one.
- 03
Fill the hole so screws can grip again
Coat toothpicks or a short dowel in wood glue, pack them into the hole, and trim flush once set. This rebuilds material for the screw threads.
- 04
Reinstall and align the door
Drive screws snug—not crushing. Close the door and check the gap. Adjust hinge cups or plates slightly until the door sits evenly.
Common mistakes
- Driving a longer screw into a thin rail and poking through the face.
- Gluing with the door hanging—alignment gets locked in crooked.
- Skipping support on the door and cracking the hinge plate.
What a solid result looks like
A door that closes cleanly, with screws that bite and a gap that looks intentional—not temporary.