DIY Basics & Home Maintenance · 5 min read · Beginner

How to Fix a Squeaky Door Hinge

Work out whether a squeak is coming from a dry hinge, loose screws or door movement, then correct the simplest cause first.

Key points & steps

Open and close the door slowly while listening at each hinge so you know which hinge or contact point is making the noise.
Check the hinge screws on both the door and frame. Tighten loose screws carefully; a hinge that moves on the timber can squeak even when the pin is lubricated.
Wipe visible dirt and old residue from the hinge knuckles and pin area.
Apply a small amount of suitable hinge lubricant to the moving pin/knuckle area, then work the door back and forth to draw it into the joint.
Wipe away excess lubricant so it does not run onto paint, flooring or the door surface.
If the squeak remains, inspect for a bent hinge, loose/worn pin, stripped screw holes or the door rubbing the frame.

Use a lubricant intended for hinges/locks and surfaces involved; avoid flooding the hinge with oil.
If hinge screws will not tighten because the timber is damaged, the repair is different from simple lubrication.
A door that has dropped or rubs the frame needs alignment work rather than repeated lubrication.