Most modern cabinet hinges have small screws that move the door up, down, in, out and sideways. A few quarter turns with a screwdriver can fix a door that hangs crooked or will not close flush. Work slowly, because each screw affects the others.
Know Your Hinge
Open the door and look at the hinge arm. Many concealed hinges have two or three adjustment screws and two mounting screws. Maker layouts vary, so check the guide that came with the cabinet if you still have it. Older surface hinges have no adjusters, and you fix those by moving or shimming the hinge.
Tools
- Screwdriver that fits the screw heads
- Pencil
- Small level or a straightedge
- Thin cardboard or shims for older hinges
Adjusting in Three Directions
- Close the door and check the gaps. Note whether the door sits too high, too low, tilted, or sticks out.
- For side-to-side movement, turn the screw on the hinge arm that slides the door sideways. Make a quarter turn, then test.
- For depth, find the screw that moves the door toward or away from the cabinet frame. Turn it a little and check the closing gap.
- For height, loosen the two mounting screws slightly, shift the door up or down, then tighten again.
- Repeat on the second hinge if the door is tall, so both hinges move in step.
- Step back, close the door, and compare its edges to the neighbors.
When Screws Will Not Grip
If a mounting screw keeps spinning, the hole in the board is worn out. Remove the screw, push a small sliver of wood dipped in wood glue into the hole, trim it flush, let it dry per the glue label, and drive the screw again.
Symptom Guide
| What you see | Adjust this |
|---|---|
| Gap wider at the top | Height or tilt screw |
| Door hits its neighbor | Side-to-side screw |
| Door will not shut flush | Depth screw |
| Door bounces open | Check latch or catch |
Take your time and test after every adjustment. Because the screws interact, moving one can shift another setting slightly, so go back and forth in small steps. If you have a row of doors, adjust the first one so it looks right, then match the others to it. Soft-close hinges may include extra parts, so follow the maker guide for those.
FAQ
How far should I turn each screw?
Small amounts, such as a quarter turn at a time. Large turns can overshoot, and you will need to go back.
What if the cabinet box is loose from the wall?
That can be a structural concern, especially with heavy contents. Stop loading it and ask a qualified professional for help.
The Short Version
Identify the hinge type, adjust one direction at a time in small turns, and compare the door to its neighbors. Repair worn screw holes before you tighten again. Follow the maker’s guide, and be ready to repeat the process as the door settles.