How do you fix a squeaky door hinge?
Short answer: Find the squeaky hinge, then remove its pin by tapping it up from below with a nail or punch and a hammer. Work on one hinge at a time so the door stays hung. Clean the pin, using fine steel wool on rust. Apply a light coat of white lithium grease, tap the pin back in, and swing the door.
How do you tell which hinge is squeaking?
Swing the door open and closed slowly, several times, and listen at each hinge. The squeak usually comes from one or more hinges. Sometimes it comes from the door rubbing the stop on the hinge side.
A door rubbing the stop needs a different fix, covered below.
What you need
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hammer | Tapping the pin out and back in |
| Nail, punch, or small flat screwdriver | Driving the pin up from below |
| Rags or paper towels | Catching drips, wiping the pin |
| Fine steel wool | Removing rust from the pin |
| White lithium grease or light household oil | Lubricating the pin |
| Screwdriver | Tightening loose hinge screws |
Step 1: Protect the floor and door
Lay a rag or old towel under the hinge before you start. Hinge pins can be greasy. Don’t let one drop onto carpet. If you spray anything, hold a rag behind the hinge to catch overspray and drips, and wipe up any lubricant on the floor right away so no one slips. Aerosol lubricants are often flammable: spray with the room ventilated and away from flames or pilot lights, and check the can label.
Step 2: Remove one hinge pin at a time
Place the nail or punch under the bottom of the hinge pin. (Tom’s Guide notes some hinges are reversed, so you may need to drive the pin down instead.) Tap it gently with the hammer until the pin rises and you can pull it out.
Only remove one pin at a time. If you pull every pin, the door can fall out of the frame. Finish one hinge before moving to the next.
Step 3: Clean the pin and knuckles
Wipe the pin with a rag. If it is rusty, rub the rust off with fine steel wool. Remove any old paint or grime from the pin. Then wipe out the inside of the hinge knuckles, the round barrels the pin slides through. A cotton swab reaches inside them.
Step 4: Lubricate and reinstall
Coat the pin lightly with white lithium grease. Hunker prefers it because it lasts longer and is less messy than oil, and WD-40 Company lists door hinges among the uses for its white lithium grease. A very light application of household oil also works.
Slide the pin back in from the same direction it came out. Tap it down with the hammer until it seats. Swing the door several times to spread the grease, then wipe off any excess.
Can you just spray WD-40 on a squeaky hinge?
Yes, as a quick fix. Close the door, hold a rag behind the hinge, and spray a little along the knuckles. Work the door and wipe off the excess.
Hunker calls the spray method the quicker but more temporary fix. Tom’s Guide says WD-40 is “really meant to help get things unstuck” and is not a good long-term solution. If the squeak returns, pull the pin and grease it properly.
Should you tighten the hinge screws?
Yes. A loose hinge may only need its screws tightened. Check the screws on every hinge.
If a leaf sits recessed below the surface, you can shim it. Slip a piece of solid (not corrugated) cardboard into the recess and drive the screws back through it.
What if the door still squeaks?
The door may be rubbing the stop on the hinge side. Humidity swelling or thick paint often causes this.
| Fix | How | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Candle wax | Rub a white candle on the stop where the door touches | Temporary |
| Sanding | Sand the stop edge with fine sandpaper to thin the paint | Longer term |
If you sand to bare wood, Hunker suggests removing about 1/16 inch more. That leaves clearance after you repaint.
When should you replace a door hinge?
If a hinge is too corroded to clean up, replacing it is a reasonable next step. If the door itself is rotting, swelling, or no longer fits the frame, the door likely needs attention rather than the hinge. A solid door is heavy; if you must take it off, get a helper.
Quick answers
What is the best lubricant for a squeaky door hinge? White lithium grease is a common pick because it lasts and stays put. Light household oil is an alternative.
Do you have to take the door off to fix a squeaky hinge? No. Remove one hinge pin at a time and the door stays hung on the other hinges.
How do you get a stuck hinge pin out? Put a nail or punch against the bottom of the pin and tap upward with a hammer.
Does WD-40 fix a squeaky door? It can quiet the squeak for a while. Both sources treat it as a temporary fix, not a lasting one.
Why does my door squeak even after oiling the hinges? The door may be rubbing the hinge-side stop. Wax or sand the stop, and check that the hinge screws are tight.