Diagnose Before You Fix

A sticking door has three common causes, and the fix is different for each one. Sanding down a door that is actually sticking because of a loose hinge will not solve the problem, so it is worth spending a minute diagnosing which category you are dealing with before reaching for any tools. If noise rather than sticking is the main issue with a particular door, our guide on soundproofing a bedroom door covers that separately.

Cause 1: Loose or Worn Hinges

If the door drags along the floor or frame at the bottom, or scrapes near the top on the opposite side to the hinges, the hinges themselves are the most likely cause. Over time, screws can work loose in their holes, allowing the door to sag slightly on its frame.

The fix

Open the door and check each hinge screw with a screwdriver, tightening any that turn freely. If a screw hole has worn too large for the screw to grip, remove the screw, insert a few wooden toothpicks or a wooden matchstick coated in wood glue into the hole, snap them off flush, and let the glue dry before reinserting the screw, which now has fresh material to bite into.

Cause 2: Humidity and Seasonal Swelling

If a door only sticks during certain times of year, typically more humid months, and the same door swings freely in drier conditions, the wood itself is likely swelling and shrinking with moisture changes rather than anything being mechanically wrong.

The fix

Close the door and identify exactly where it is catching against the frame using a piece of chalk rubbed along the edge, which will leave a mark at the contact point. Sand down only that specific area using medium then fine sandpaper, checking frequently rather than removing too much material at once. Once it closes freely, seal the sanded edge with a matching coat of paint or varnish to help control future moisture absorption at that spot.

Cause 3: Paint Build-Up

Doors that have been repainted multiple times over the years can develop a thick enough paint layer along the edges to interfere with a clean close, particularly around the hinge side and the latch.

The fix

Sand down the built-up paint along the sticking edge until the door closes smoothly again, then apply a single fresh coat rather than adding yet another layer on top of what is already there. If paint build-up is affecting the whole door rather than one area, it may be worth stripping the door back fully at some point rather than continuing to sand small sections repeatedly.

When the Door Frame Itself Has Shifted

Occasionally a door sticks because the frame has shifted slightly, often due to a property settling over time rather than anything wrong with the door. This shows up as a door that fits unevenly all the way around rather than catching at just one specific spot. If sanding and hinge adjustments do not resolve a stubborn stick, and the frame itself looks visibly out of square, this points to a bigger structural cause worth having assessed by a professional rather than continuing to remove material from the door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my door only stick in summer?

This is almost always humidity-related swelling. Wood absorbs moisture from the air in more humid conditions and expands slightly, which is why a door can fit perfectly in winter but stick during warmer, wetter months.

How do I find the exact spot where a door is sticking?

Rub chalk along the edge of the door before closing it. The chalk transfers onto the frame at the exact point of contact, showing you precisely where to sand rather than guessing.

Should I sand a door while it is still hanging, or take it off first?

For small, localised sticking spots, sanding while the door is still hanging is usually easier, since you can test the fit repeatedly without rehanging it each time. Larger repairs are easier with the door removed and laid flat.

My door sticks all the way around, not just in one spot. What does this mean?

This typically points to the frame itself being slightly out of square, often from a property settling over time, rather than an issue with the door alone. It is worth having this assessed rather than sanding the whole door down.