My Door Won't Close — Causes and What to Do

A door that won't close properly is frustrating — and in winter or with a young family, it becomes urgent fast. Here's how to work out what's causing it and what needs doing.

The most common causes

Most doors that won't close properly fall into one of four categories. Working out which one applies to you narrows it down significantly.

1. The door has dropped (hinge wear)

This is the most common reason a uPVC or composite door stops closing cleanly. Over time, door hinges wear — particularly on heavy composite front doors. The door drops a few millimetres, which is enough to make it catch on the threshold or refuse to latch.

Signs: The bottom of the door scrapes or catches when closing. The door may latch if you lift it slightly while pushing.

Fix: Hinge adjustment or hinge replacement. Most uPVC hinges have adjustment screws that allow the door position to be corrected. If the hinge itself is worn, replacing it usually solves the problem completely. Door adjustment from £135, hinge replacement from £180 + VAT.

2. The frame has moved (building movement)

Houses — particularly older terraced properties — can shift slightly over time. If the door frame is no longer perfectly square, the door will no longer fit it perfectly. This can develop gradually over years and is common in Bristol's Victorian and Edwardian housing stock.

Signs: The door catches at a specific point — often the top corner opposite the hinges, or the bottom corner near the latch. The problem may have developed slowly over months.

Fix: Often a hinge adjustment can compensate. In more significant cases, packing or adjustment behind the hinges brings the door back into alignment. From £135 + VAT.

3. The latch or lock mechanism has failed

If the door closes fine but won't latch — the handle turns but the latch doesn't retract fully, or the multipoint lock won't engage — the problem is in the mechanism rather than the door or frame.

Signs: The door physically fits the frame but won't click shut, or the handle is stiff and doesn't fully operate the latch.

Fix: Handle replacement or lock mechanism replacement. Handle replacements are straightforward at £120 + VAT. A multipoint lock mechanism replacement costs £350 + VAT.

4. The door or frame has warped

This is less common but does happen — particularly with older uPVC doors that have experienced many years of temperature cycling. A warped door won't sit flat in its frame, causing gaps and resistance when closing.

Signs: You can see visible twisting or bowing. Draughts come in at corners even when the door is closed. The door sits unevenly in the frame.

Fix: If the warp is minor, adjustment may help. If the door or frame itself is warped significantly, replacement is usually the right call. We'll advise honestly when you call.

Is it a DIY fix?

Some hinge adjustments are DIY-possible if your door has adjustment screws — there are videos online showing how to use them on common uPVC hinge types. If that doesn't resolve it, or if you're not comfortable working on an external door (especially a front door), it's worth getting a professional in.

An incorrectly adjusted door can let in draughts, compromise security, or cause further hinge wear. For a front door, a proper repair is worth doing properly.

How quickly can it be fixed?

Most door repair jobs are a single visit. We carry common hinges and lock mechanisms so we can usually fix the problem during the first visit, without a return trip for parts. See our door repair service for more details.