Reasons Why Interior Doors Won’t Close Properly (And How To Fix)

Your exterior doors might get the most attention, but there can be upwards of a dozen interior doors in your home you should think about. There are bedroom, bathroom, pantry, and basement doors, just to name a few. These interior doors are so commonplace, they may even go unnoticed — until they stop closing properly. 

If your interior door won’t close properly, the first step to fixing the issue it is diagnosing the cause. Common reasons for interior doors to function incorrectly include poor door alignment, warped wood, loose hinges, and issues with the strike plate or latch. If you recently installed carpeting or flooring, this could be the issue, and a sinking foundation can also be to blame.

Interior doors can stop functioning properly seemingly out of nowhere. While doors left ajar may seem like a small issue, you should address your door issue before it becomes a bigger problem. There are several reasons why interior doors stop closing correctly, but the good news is you can fix many of these issues yourself. The first step to fixing the problem is discovering why your door stopped closing properly.

Eight Reasons Your Interior Door Won’t Close Properly

1. Poor Alignment

If your interior door has never closed easily or at all, then there is a good chance it was not properly aligned when it was installed. If your door is not aligned correctly, several problems can occur. 

It can get stuck on the door jam, hit the floor at an angle, or even incorrectly align with the strike plate. If your door is clearly out of alignment, then you should remove it, adjust the hardware, and try to re-align it properly. This problem will only get worse with time, so it’s best to address the issue sooner rather than later.

2. Fluctuating Humidity

If your doors and door frames are made of wood, then there is a good chance humidity may be to blame for your interior door problems. If you live somewhere tropical or wet, then there’s a good chance your home’s humidity is higher than normal. 

Wooden doors and door frames can swell when humidity increases, especially when the increase is extreme and prolonged. When a wooden door swells, it can become difficult or even impossible to close it. If your doors are only hard to close once in a while, and it coincides with wet weather, then humidity is almost certainly to blame.

3. Recently Installed Carpeting Or Flooring

If you recently added carpeting or changed the flooring in your home, and then noticed issues with your interior doors, then the floor may be to blame. When you add carpeting or install a new floor over your existing floor, then you decrease the space between the floor and your interior door.

In some cases, this is not an issue, as there is plenty of space. In other cases, this may cause the bottom of your door to drag on the carpet or new floor. Not only can this make closing the door challenging, but it can also ruin your brand-new floor.

4. Problems With Your Foundation

While many of the reasons why your interior doors won’t close properly can be quickly fixed, some are much larger problems. Sometimes doors that stop closing properly are red flags that there is a problem with your home’s foundation. 

Sometimes, foundations sink or crack, and this can cause your home to warp slightly. You may not be able to perceive it, but if you notice cracks along door frames, as well as find it harder to close interior doors, then you may have an issue with your home's foundation.

5. Loose Hinges

One of the most common reasons why interior doors don’t close properly has to do with the hinges. Door hinges can loosen and shift over time, and this can cause a door to no longer close properly. 

If the hinges on a door are loose, it can hang slightly off. Furthermore, the screws in the hinges may have loosened, which can cause further alignment issues. Of all the door issues on the list, this is one of the most common and also the easiest to fix.

6. Misaligned Or Damaged Strike Plate 

The strike plate is another location you should check if your door isn’t closing properly, especially if the issue is more with the door latching rather than fitting through the frame. Strike plates can become bent by accident, and they can also be incorrectly placed. 

If your strike plate is too high or low, your door won’t latch. If your strike plate is somehow bent, then it also may not latch properly and may cause your door to always stay ajar.

7. There’s Debris In The Strike Plate Or Latch

If your door suddenly stops closing for what appears to be no reason, then make sure you check the latch and strike plate. Occasionally, debris can get stuck in either the latch or the strike plate, and this can make it difficult for the door to close. 

If you notice any debris or obstruction, promptly remove it, and then test the door to ensure it functions normally.

8. You Have The Wrong Type Or Size Door

In some cases, you may simply have a door that doesn’t fit properly. Either you measured wrong, or the door doesn't open and close as freely as you thought it would in the space. Instead of keeping the door ajar all the time, you may want to think about replacing it with a door that is better suited for the space.

How To Fix Doors That Won’t Close Properly

1. Tighten And Adjust Hinges

Many types of interior doors don’t close properly because the hinges are loose or faulty. If you have a door with loose hinges, simply tighten them with a screwdriver. If the hinge appears damaged, swap the old hinges out for new ones. If the screws won't tighten, then use longer screws.

2. Swap Out And Re-Align Strike Plate

If your strike plate is either poorly aligned or damaged, simply replace the existing one. Make sure the new strike plate is in the correct position, so it latches easily each time you close the door.

3. Sand Down Edges Of The Door

If your door is warped or is brushing your floor when it closes, then one way to fix the issue is to sand down the door. If the door is only slightly warped or just a little too large, simply sand off a small portion, and repaint it as needed.

4. Change Out The Door

If your door is damaged or is the wrong size, then you might need to swap it out. If you can’t easily open or close the door due to space reasons, you may want to buy a sliding barn door or an alternative door type that fits better in your allotted space.

5. Remove Any Blockage Or Obstacles

If your door issues involve a rug or debris of some sort, then the fix is easy. Simply move the blockage or obstruction. This should quickly fix the issue. Just make sure the debris didn’t cause any damage to the door jam or strike plate.

6. Control Your Home’s Humidity With A Dehumidifier

If the problem with your door appears to be caused by fluctuating humidity, then try controlling the humidity inside your home. Most HVAC systems can control the humidity level. 

If your home doesn’t have an HVAC system, or you want to save money on your electric bill by running it less, then consider a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are great at lowering the humidity in the home and use less electricity than HVAC and air conditioners.

7. Hire A Professional To Fix The Issue

Lastly, if you are unable to fix the problem yourself, or if the issue seems like a bigger project than you are comfortable taking on, then opt to hire a professional. If your issue involves the foundation, or fixing the doorway or floor, it may be wise to consult a professional instead of embarking on a massive home improvement project.

Summing Up Why An Interior Door Won’t Close (And Ways To Fix It)

Interior doors don’t need to be as durable as your exterior doors, but they should still open and close easily. If your door isn’t closing properly, then check to see if the hinges are loose or faulty, and then see if the strike plate is blocked or damaged. The door may be warped due to humidity, and the door may get caught on the floor if you recently added carpet or new flooring. Tighten or swap out hinges, lower humidity, or change out the faulty hardware to fix your door problem for good.

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