Try this first: remove one screw from the top hinge on the jamb side and replace it with a 2.5–3″ screw that bites into the wall framing behind the jamb. Drive it snug and it pulls the whole door up and back into square.
Why doors sag
Over time the short factory screws lose grip in the jamb, especially under the weight of solid-core and exterior doors. The top hinge takes the most strain, so the door pivots and drops at the latch corner.
The repair, in order
Tighten all hinge screws
Sometimes that's the whole fix. Snug every screw on door and jamb.
Replace a top-hinge screw with a long one
Swap one jamb screw on the top hinge for a 2.5–3″ screw reaching the framing. Tighten gradually — you'll see the door lift.
Fix stripped holes
If screws spin, pack the hole with glued hardwood toothpicks or a dowel, let it cure, and re-drill.
Shim if needed
A thin shim behind the bottom hinge can nudge alignment the final bit.
Find the cause before you fix it
A sagging door is a symptom; chasing the wrong cause wastes time. The three usual culprits, in order of how often they're to blame:
- Loose hinge screws — the top hinge takes the most load and its screws strip out of the jamb first.
- Worn hinges — knuckles worn oval let the door drop even with tight screws.
- A settled frame — the opening itself is out of square, and no hinge work will fully fix it.
The fixes, easiest first
- Tighten and upgrade the screws. Swap the short factory screws in the top hinge for 2.5–3 inch screws that reach past the jamb into the wall stud. This single step re-seats most sagging doors.
- Fill stripped holes. If screws spin, pack the hole with glued wood toothpicks or a golf tee, trim flush, and re-drive.
- Shim the hinge. A thin cardboard shim behind the jamb leaf kicks the top of the door back toward the latch side.
- Replace worn hinges with the same size — and step up to ball-bearing hinges on a heavy door.
When it's the frame, not the hinge
If the door is square but the gap is wedge-shaped top to bottom, the opening has racked. That's a carpentry fix — re-shimming or re-hanging the jamb — not something a new hinge will solve.
Frequently asked questions
Will one long screw really fix it?
Surprisingly often, yes — it's the first thing a pro tries because it works on most sags caused by loose top hinges.
What if the door still drags?
Check for stripped holes, worn hinges, or a settled frame. Heavy doors may also need an additional or heavier hinge.