How to fix a squeaky door
The 30-second fix, and what to do when WD-40 alone doesn't work.
Riley Brand
February 18, 2026
The 30-second fix
Spray WD-40 (or any general-purpose lubricant) directly onto the hinge pins. Open and close the door 10 times.
80% of the time, that's the entire fix. The squeak is friction in dried-out hinges.
If that didn't work
Tap the hinge pin out from below with a screwdriver and a hammer. Wipe off the gunk and rust with a rag.
Apply a few drops of oil (3-in-1 or even cooking oil in a pinch) and reinsert the pin. This handles the stubborn cases.
If it's not the hinges
Check the latch — sometimes a misaligned strike plate creates the noise. Loosen the screws on the strike plate, slightly reposition, and re-tighten.
If the entire door scrapes the floor, that's a different problem (sagging hinges or warped frame). Tightening hinge screws fixes most cases.
People also ask
What about white lithium grease?+
Better than WD-40 long-term. WD-40 is a solvent; lithium grease is a true lubricant. WD-40 first to clean, lithium grease for lasting.
How often should I do this?+
Once a year, all hinges, takes 5 minutes. Or whenever you hear the first squeak.
Why did the hinge dry out?+
Heat, humidity changes, and just time. Hinges weren't designed to be lifetime parts without maintenance.