How to repair a door hinge with stripped screw holes

Inspired by an Everbuild UK guide. This walk-through is based on "How to Repair a Door Hinge with Stripped Screw Holes" from Everbuild, a UK adhesives and sealants brand. The method shown - filling with matchsticks and wood glue, or their 502 contact adhesive - is one of the most reliable approaches for timber and MDF door frames alike.

1. Confirm the hole is the problem

Remove the screw from the affected hinge and try turning it in the hole with your finger. If it spins freely with no resistance, the timber threads have gone and you need to fill and re-drill.

If the screw still grips slightly but pulls out under load, you can sometimes fix it with a longer screw. Try a screw 10mm longer than the original before going to the filling method - it often solves it straight away.

2. Remove the hinge

Undo all the screws from the hinge leaf, including any that still grip. Take the hinge off completely and set it aside. Clean out any loose wood debris from the holes with a chisel or screwdriver tip.

If you are working on a door hinge and the door is heavy, prop the door open with a wedge or a folded piece of cardboard under the bottom edge. You do not want it swinging while you work.

3. Fill the holes with matchsticks and wood glue

Apply wood glue into the stripped hole, then push in two or three matchsticks (with the heads snapped off) until the hole is packed tightly. Leave them slightly proud of the surface.

Once the glue has dried - allow at least two hours, or overnight if you have time - snap or pare off the protruding wood flush with a sharp chisel. This gives the screws new material to bite into.

4. Alternatively, use a contact adhesive or wood filler

Everbuild 502 contact adhesive is another option: fill the hole, let it go slightly tacky, then press in small pieces of timber or matchstick material. It bonds quickly and gives a solid base for re-drilling.

Two-part wood filler also works well on larger holes. Mix it up, pack it in, and let it cure fully before drilling. It drills and screws cleanly once it has set hard.

5. Refit the hinge

Hold the hinge back in its recess and start the screws gently by hand. Go slowly - you want the screws to cut into the fresh material, not blast straight through it. Once they are biting, tighten them firmly but not aggressively.

If the hinge leaf has a recessed mortice, check it sits flush with the frame. A hinge that stands proud will prevent the door closing properly.

6. Check the door and adjust if needed

Close and open the door a few times to check it swings freely and closes without rubbing. If it still catches slightly, check whether the other hinges need attention too - a loose top hinge and a repaired bottom one will still give a dropping door.

Most door hinges have a little side-to-side adjustment built in. A tap with a mallet and a piece of offcut timber can shift the hinge leaf by a millimetre or two if the door is marginally out.

When to call a handyman

One stripped hinge is an easy DIY job. If the door frame itself has split, if the door has dropped badly and is grinding on the floor, or if you have got several doors that need attention - Richard can work through the list faster than most afternoons allow.