How to fix a squeaky door hinge (in about 60 seconds)
A squeaky door is almost always a dry hinge pin. Tap the pin up and out with a hammer and a nail, wipe it clean, coat it with grease, and tap it back in. It takes about a minute per hinge and costs next to nothing.
Free printable: one-page hinge fix
The steps, the tools, and what to try if it keeps squeaking, on a single page you can print and tape inside a cabinet door.
Get the free PDF →Why does my door hinge squeak?
Because the hinge pin has gone dry. Inside each hinge, a metal pin turns in the knuckles of the hinge leaves. Without a film of grease, metal rubs on metal and squeals every time the door moves.
A squeaky hinge is one of the cheapest home fixes there is, and the repair usually needs no new parts.
What you need
- A hammer
- A nail or a thin screwdriver to tap the pin up
- A rag or paper towel
- Grease: petroleum jelly or white lithium grease. Candle wax or a bar of soap works in a pinch.
How do I fix a squeaky door hinge?
Do one hinge at a time so the door stays hung and you always know where the pin goes.
- Find the noisy hinge. Open and close the door slowly and listen. If you can't tell which hinge it is, grease them one at a time and test after each.
- Hold the door still. Wedge a folded piece of cardboard or a shim under the door so it doesn't swing while the pin is out.
- Tap the pin up and out. Set the nail or screwdriver tip under the head of the pin from below and tap upward with the hammer until the pin slides out. Pull it the rest of the way by hand.
- Wipe it, then grease it. Wipe the pin clean with a rag and coat it with a thin layer of grease. Wipe out the hinge knuckles too.
- Tap it back in. Slide the pin back through the knuckles and tap it down until the head sits flat.
- Swing the door. Open and close it a few times to work the grease in. If it still squeaks, repeat on the next hinge.
What if the pin won't come out?
Some hinges are painted shut or have a pin that doesn't lift out. Don't force it. Spray a silicone lubricant into the hinge knuckle, open and close the door several times so it works in, and wipe the drips.
Is WD-40 good for a squeaky hinge?
WD-40 can quiet a hinge for a day or two, but WD-40 is mostly a cleaner and thin lubricant that wears off quickly, so the squeak tends to return. Grease on the pin lasts much longer.
Still squeaking? Check these next
| What you notice | Try this |
|---|---|
| Squeak comes back within weeks | Use a longer-lasting grease such as white lithium rather than a light oil or soap. |
| Door also rubs or sticks | Tighten the hinge screws. If one just spins, fill the hole with a few toothpicks and wood glue, then re-drive the screw, or use a longer screw. |
| Noise is at the latch, not the hinge | Rub a little grease or wax on the latch bolt and the strike plate. |
When to stop and call a pro
- The door is sagging badly or won't close, and tightening the screws doesn't help.
- The wood of the door frame is cracked or split around a hinge.
- A hinge leaf is bent or cracked. That's a replacement, not a squeak.
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Browse the Fix-It Playbook →Frequently asked questions
Why does my door hinge squeak?
Almost always because the hinge pin has run dry. Metal rubs on metal inside the hinge knuckles, and each swing of the door makes it squeal. A little grease on the pin stops it, and the fix usually lasts months or longer.
Is WD-40 good for a squeaky hinge?
WD-40 can quiet a hinge for a day or two, but WD-40 is mostly a cleaner and thin lubricant that wears off quickly, so the squeak often returns. Grease on the pin, such as petroleum jelly or white lithium grease, lasts longer. If the pin won't come out, a silicone spray into the knuckle is a better quick fix.
What can I use if I don't have hinge grease?
Petroleum jelly works well. In a pinch, rub a bar of soap or a candle on the pin. Plan to redo it with a proper grease later, because soap and wax wear off sooner.
Which hinge is the squeaky one?
Open and close the door slowly and listen for where it comes from. If you can't tell, put a little grease on each hinge pin one at a time and test the door after each one.
What if the squeak is not coming from the hinge?
Check the latch and strike plate, where the bolt rubs, and the hinge screws, which can work loose and let the door shift. Tighten the screws and put a little grease or wax on the latch bolt.
More home repair answers
For general homeowner reference only. When a repair involves gas, major electrical, or structural work, call a licensed professional.
Sources
Official and primary sources on the topic. Rules, deadlines and figures change, so confirm current details there before you act.
- Making Simple Repairs: Door and Lock Problems (FCS5234-06) (University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS)). Advises oiling squeaky door hinges and tightening loose hinge screws, and lists hammers and screwdrivers as the basic tools for door repairs.
- Eye and Face Protection (OSHA (U.S. Department of Labor)). Explains why eye and face protection matters and outlines OSHA rules and resources for identifying eye hazards, relevant to tapping a pin with a hammer.