How to fix stripped screw holes in cabinet hinges

Tools you’ll need

• — Screwdriver
• — Toothpicks or wooden matchsticks
• — Wood glue (optional)

Materials

• Toothpicks
  A few
• Wood glue

  Optional
  Dab

Step by step

1. 01

   Remove the loose screw

   Take out the hinge screw that won’t tighten. Note which side of the hinge it came from.

2. 02

   Pack the hole with toothpicks

   Snap toothpicks to length and pack them into the hole. A drop of wood glue locks them in — optional for renters.

3. 03

   Trim flush

   Cut anything sticking out with a utility knife so the hinge sits flat.

4. 04

   Drive the screw back in

   The fresh wood gives the threads something to grip. The door is now tight again.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using bigger screws — they often hit metal cabinet bodies or split the wood
• Skipping the trim step and ending up with a hinge that won’t sit flat
• Over-tightening and stripping the new fix

If you can’t drill, cut, or paint…

• Golf tee + glue for very large stripped holes
• Plastic wall anchor cut down to size if you have no wood
• Replace the hinge entirely with a longer-screw version

Shopping list

• Toothpicks (you probably have them)
• Small bottle wood glue (optional)