Can I replace just one cabinet hinge?

Yes, but match the brand and model. European concealed hinges are not universally interchangeable — the mounting plate spacing, cup diameter and arm geometry vary between brands. Bring the old hinge to the store or order the exact replacement.

How often should cabinet hinges be adjusted?

Most quality hinges hold their adjustment for years. Check and adjust annually as part of a general home maintenance routine. Hinges on heavily used cabinets (kitchen, bathroom) may need adjustment more frequently.

When should I replace cabinet doors instead of repairing?

If the door is warped, water-damaged, delaminating, or the finish is failing across the entire surface, replacement is more cost-effective than repair. If the problem is alignment, a single damaged hinge, or a surface chip, repair is almost always the right call.

Guides

Cabinet Door Repair and Adjustment

Updated July 25, 20263 min read

The short answer

Most cabinet door problems are hinge problems, and most hinge problems are fixable in five minutes with a screwdriver. European concealed hinges (the standard on modern cabinetry) are three-way adjustable — up/down, left/right and in/out. Learning these three adjustments fixes the majority of door alignment, gap and closing issues without any replacement parts.

Three-way hinge adjustment

Up/down adjustment: Loosen the vertical mounting screws on the hinge arm (the screws that attach the arm to the mounting plate on the cabinet). Slide the arm up or down to align the door vertically. This fixes doors that are not level with each other or that have dropped on one side.
Left/right adjustment: Turn the adjustment screw on the hinge arm — usually the front screw. This moves the door laterally, adjusting the gap between doors and fixing doors that overlap or are unevenly spaced. A quarter turn moves the door roughly 1–2mm.
In/out adjustment: Turn the rear adjustment screw on the hinge arm. This moves the door closer to or further from the cabinet face, adjusting how the door sits flush against the carcass. This fixes doors that do not close fully or that stick out past the cabinet face.

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Common cabinet door problems and fixes

Doors not aligned with each other: Adjust the left/right and up/down screws on each hinge until the doors are evenly spaced and level. This is the most common fix and takes under five minutes.
Door does not close fully: Adjust the in/out screw to pull the door tighter to the cabinet. If the door still does not close, check that the soft-close mechanism is not obstructed and that the hinge is not bent.
Soft-close not working: Most soft-close mechanisms are integrated into the hinge arm. If the door no longer closes gently, the mechanism may be worn or the adjustment is wrong. Some hinges have a soft-close strength adjustment — a small screw or slider on the hinge body.
Hinge screw holes stripped: The most common long-term problem. The screw holes in the particleboard carcass enlarge over time. Fix: fill the holes with wood toothpicks and glue, let dry, then re-drive the screws. Alternatively, use slightly larger diameter screws.
Chipped or scratched finish: Small chips can be repaired with colour-matched fill sticks or wax crayons. For painted surfaces, sand the chip lightly, apply primer, then touch up with matching paint. For stained surfaces, use a stain marker that matches the existing finish.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace just one cabinet hinge?: Yes, but match the brand and model. European concealed hinges are not universally interchangeable — the mounting plate spacing, cup diameter and arm geometry vary between brands. Bring the old hinge to the store or order the exact replacement.
How often should cabinet hinges be adjusted?: Most quality hinges hold their adjustment for years. Check and adjust annually as part of a general home maintenance routine. Hinges on heavily used cabinets (kitchen, bathroom) may need adjustment more frequently.
When should I replace cabinet doors instead of repairing?: If the door is warped, water-damaged, delaminating, or the finish is failing across the entire surface, replacement is more cost-effective than repair. If the problem is alignment, a single damaged hinge, or a surface chip, repair is almost always the right call.

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