Find which hinge is squeaking
Open and close the door slowly while someone listens at each hinge. It is usually the top hinge, which carries the most load as the door pulls away from the frame. Fixing only the noisy hinge works, but doing all of them at once takes a few extra minutes and saves a repeat visit.
Choose the right lubricant
| Job | How long it lasts |
|---|---|
| White lithium grease Thick, stays put. The best choice for hinge pins | Long-lasting |
| Silicone spray Clean and dry; good where dust is a problem | Medium |
| Petroleum jelly Works in a pinch, attracts dust over time | Short |
| Penetrating oil (WD-40 and similar) Loosens rust, but is not a lasting lubricant | Short |
Penetrating oil is useful for freeing a rusted pin, but on its own it evaporates and leaves the hinge dry again. Follow it with grease.
How to fix it, step by step
- Close the door so its weight rests on the latch, and put a folded towel under it if the door is heavy.
- Tap the hinge pin up from below with a nail set or a thin screwdriver and a hammer, then pull it out. Do one hinge at a time so the door stays hung.
- Clean the pin with steel wool or fine sandpaper until the rust and grime are gone, and wipe out the hinge barrel.
- Coat the pin with a thin layer of white lithium grease and tap it back in.
- Swing the door several times to work the grease in, then wipe off any excess.
- Repeat on the other hinges.
If the squeak comes back
- Loose hinge screws. A hinge that shifts under load grinds and squeaks. Tighten the screws; if they spin, replace one screw in the top hinge with a 3-inch screw that reaches the wall framing.
- Worn hinges. A pin that wobbles in its barrel will squeak however well it is greased. New hinges cost a few dollars each; match the size and corner shape (square or rounded) of the old ones.
- The door is rubbing, not squeaking. A door that scrapes the frame or the floor makes a similar noise. See interior door repair for sticking and sagging doors.
Is it worth hiring someone?
Not for one squeaky door; it is a fifteen-minute job with a tube of grease. It makes sense when it is one of several door problems, such as squeaks, a door that will not latch, or one that sticks in summer, because a single visit can fix all of them. Our minimum job is $450, so bundle small repairs. See also how to fix a door that won't latch.
Common questions
Can I use WD-40 on a squeaky door?
It will quiet the squeak for a while, but it is a penetrating oil, not a lasting lubricant. For hinges, white lithium grease or a silicone lubricant lasts much longer.
Do I have to take the door off to fix a squeak?
No. Remove and grease one hinge pin at a time while the door stays hung on the others.
Why does my door squeak only in winter?
Dry air and cold thicken old lubricant and slightly change how the door hangs. Cleaning and re-greasing the pins usually fixes it for the year.
Related guides
Methods follow standard door hardware maintenance practice. We update these figures as we complete jobs.