How to Adjust Kitchen Cabinet Doors That Won’t Close

You’re embarking on a dream renovation, and have designed and installed beautiful, quality cabinets to fit in perfectly with all the other elements of your kitchen. Kitchen cabinets play a crucial role not only in making your kitchen look the part, but also in keeping things organized and tidy. 

For many different reasons, there are moments when your kitchen cabinet doors won’t close properly. Fortunately, there are simple solutions to this problem. 

Common Issues and Solutions

If your cabinet doors won’t close, look into these root causes:

Check for Warping

Wood is the most common material used for making kitchen cabinets, but low-quality wood can warp when exposed to moisture or humid conditions. This makes it difficult for the doors to close properly. Check that your wood is of high quality and not prone to warping, or purchase high-quality materials if you are still in the design phase of your renovation. 

A last resort can be to straighten warped doors. Use a damp cloth to moisten the area where the warp exists, then place a heavy object (such as a stack of books or a cast-iron skillet) over the area with the warp. Leave it overnight and the door should straighten up. If you wish to paint kitchen cabinet doors on both sides, be sure to check the wood isn’t warped before proceeding.

Check the Screws and Hinges

If your cabinet doors are not aligned correctly, it could be due to loose screws or hinges. Try tightening the screws with a screwdriver and see if this fixes the problem. If the screws are stripped or the hinges are damaged, you may need to replace the entire hardware. If tightening the screws doesn't work, then you may need to adjust the hinges. 

To do this, loosen the screws on the hinge and move it slightly up, down, left or right to align it properly. Then, tighten the screws and test the door to see if it closes properly. Most manufacturer’s instructions will provide guidance on how to carry this simple modification effectively. 

Hinges can also rust or become dirty, which can cause issues with closing the doors. We recommend lubricating them with silicone spray or lithium grease can also improve their effectiveness. 

Add Bumpers

If your cabinet doors are slamming shut, this is not only noisy but can cause damage to the cabinets and doors. Bumpers are small pieces of rubber or plastic that can be adhered to the corners of the cabinet doors, protecting the cabinets by absorbing the force and minimizing noise.

Clean the Tracks

If you have sliding cabinet doors, regularly check the tracks they slide on. Dust and debris can get caught in these tracks, making it difficult for the doors to close effectively. 

Clean the tracks with a dry cloth or a mild detergent solution to remove any debris and this should solve any issues.

To Wrap It Up

Fortunately, most issues with your cabinet doors not closing can be solved, and the list we’ve created here addresses the most common problems and their solutions. However, if the issue persists, you may need to change the doors or seek the services of a professional to take a look. 

Wondering what the cost of kitchen cabinet doors should be? Check out our latest post!