Storage shed door won't close or is off track

Symptoms

• Door drags or catches when sliding or swinging
• Door doesn't latch flush with the frame
• Visible gap between the door and frame on one side

Likely causes

• CommonSliding door rollers off track or wornTrack-mounted shed doors can jump their track or wear down the rollers.
• CommonLoose or bent hinges on swing doorsHinge screws can back out of thin shed wall material over time.
• PossibleShed frame settling or racking out of squareSheds on unlevel ground can shift slightly, throwing off door alignment.
• PossibleSwollen wood door or frame from moistureWood shed doors can swell in humid conditions similar to house doors.

What to do

1. For sliding doors, check if rollers have come off the track and reseat them, cleaning the track of debris.
2. For swing doors, tighten all hinge screws, and if holes are stripped, fill with wood filler and re-drill.
3. Check that the shed is sitting level; a significant lean can be improved with shims under the low corner.
4. For wood doors swollen shut, sand the sticking edges lightly once conditions are dry.
5. Lubricate tracks and hinges with a dry lubricant once mechanical adjustments are made.
6. For a persistently out-of-square frame, add a diagonal brace to the shed's frame to stabilize it.

Tools and parts

• Screwdriver or drill
• Level
• Sandpaper (if wood swollen)

When to call a pro

A handyman can level and shim an out-of-square shed foundation if the door problem stems from the whole structure shifting.

Safety