How to Fix a Cabinet Door That Won’t Close

Quick answer: most cabinet doors that will not close properly have one of three problems. If the door sags or the hinge is loose because the screws no longer hold, fit a hinge repair plate to give the hinge fresh screw holes. If the door swings open on its own, fit a magnetic catch. If it bangs shut, stick soft bumpers where the door meets the frame. For handle-free doors, push-to-open latches let the door pop open with a tap and stay shut with a magnet.

A quick check of the kitchen cupboards is worth doing before a busy spell of holiday cooking. TidyMend’s fixes are in Cabinet Hardware Fixes.

Which fix do you need?

Door sags, or the hinge screws spin and will not hold: cabinet hinge repair plates (4 pairs). Stainless steel plates that cover the damaged area and give a standard concealed hinge fresh, solid screw holes. 4 pairs (8 plates) with screws, enough for several kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe doors.
Door will not stay shut: stainless steel magnetic cabinet catch. A screw-mounted magnet (53 × 22 × 14 mm) inside the cabinet and a strike plate on the door, so the door clicks shut and stays closed. It suits wooden kitchen, bathroom, wardrobe and cupboard doors and can replace a worn or missing catch.
Door or drawer bangs when it closes: clear cabinet door bumper set (64 pieces). 64 clear, soft rubber, self-adhesive pieces in 3 sizes: small 8 × 2 mm dots, 35 × 10 × 2 mm strips and 40 × 8 mm pads.
Handle-free doors and drawers: push-to-open cabinet latches (7-pack). Magnetic latches with a spring push mechanism, mounted inside the cabinet frame. Press the door to pop it open, press again to close, and the magnet holds it shut.

What you need

A screwdriver
The fix that matches the problem (see above)
A cloth to clean and dry surfaces before fitting stick-on bumpers

Step-by-step: fixing a sagging door with a hinge repair plate

Check the fit first. Compare the hinge cup size and screw positions with the plate before you start. The plates are for standard concealed cabinet hinges.
Remove the loose hinge. Support the door while you unscrew the hinge from the damaged area.
Fit the plate. Hold a plate over the damaged area so the new holes line up, and fix it with the included screws.
Refit the hinge into the fresh holes, then open and close the door to check that it sits level.

Step-by-step: stopping a door swinging open with a magnetic catch

Find the spot where the inside of the cabinet and the door meet when the door is closed.
Screw the magnet inside the cabinet at that spot.
Screw the strike plate on the door so it meets the magnet when the door is closed.
Test it. The door should click shut and stay closed.

Step-by-step: quieting a slamming door with bumpers

Clean and dry the spot where the door or drawer meets the frame.
Choose a size. Use the small dots for most doors, strips for a longer contact edge, or the larger pads where there is more room.
Peel and press each bumper on firmly, then close the door to check it shuts evenly.

Tips

Check the hinge type and measurements against a product before you buy, especially for hinge plates.
With push-to-open latches, check the fit and closing gap on one door before you fix every latch, and line each one up so the door meets the magnet squarely.
If a cabinet door or handle knocks a wall or fridge door when it opens, clear silicone edge bumper strips (150 × 15 × 2 mm, clear soft silicone) can be stuck at the contact point and trimmed with scissors.
To stop small children opening cabinets, see how to childproof your home for stick-on cabinet locks and latches.

Frequently asked questions

Why won’t my cabinet door close?

Common reasons are a loose or sagging hinge, often because the screw holes are stripped, a worn or missing catch, or something inside the cabinet getting in the way. Check that nothing is blocking the door, then look at the hinge and the catch.

How do I fix a cabinet hinge when the screw holes are stripped?

Fit a hinge repair plate over the damaged area. The plate gives the hinge fresh, solid screw holes. TidyMend’s plates are stainless steel, for standard concealed cabinet hinges, and come as 4 pairs with screws.

How do I keep a cabinet door from swinging open?

Fit a magnetic catch: a magnet screwed inside the cabinet and a strike plate on the door, so the door clicks shut and stays closed.

How do I stop cabinet doors from slamming?

Stick soft bumpers where the door or drawer meets the frame. The clear bumper set has 64 self-adhesive rubber pieces in three sizes.

Do push-to-open latches need handles?

No. They are for handle-free doors and drawers. You press the front to open it, and press again to close it, and the magnet holds it shut.

How to Fix a Cabinet Door That Won’t Close (Hinges, Catches and Bumpers)