What type of hinge do most medicine cabinets use?

Most surface-mount medicine cabinets use small European-style concealed hinges or basic butt hinges. Recessed cabinets often use pivot hinges. Check your existing hinge before buying a replacement so the holes line up.

Can I reuse the existing screw holes when replacing a hinge?

If the screw holes are stripped, fill them with toothpicks and wood glue, let them cure overnight, then drive the new screws into the filled holes for a solid grip.

Why does my medicine cabinet door sag after I replace the hinge?

Sagging usually means the new hinge is not fully tightened or is mounted slightly out of alignment. Loosen the screws, shim the door level with a folded piece of cardboard, then retighten.

My cabinet is mounted on tile. How do I anchor new hinge screws?

If the cabinet frame sits in front of tile, screws typically go through the frame into wall studs or a wood blocking strip. Avoid drilling directly into tile unless you use a diamond-tip bit and plastic anchors rated for the weight.

How do I stop a medicine cabinet door from swinging open on its own?

Install a magnetic catch or a small ball catch on the inside edge of the door. These cost just a few dollars and keep the door firmly closed without adding bulk.

Is it worth replacing a medicine cabinet instead of fixing the hinge?

If only one hinge is broken and the cabinet is otherwise solid, repair is almost always cheaper. Full replacement makes sense when the cabinet frame is cracked, the mirror is damaged, or the box is deeply rusted.

How to Fix a Broken Medicine Cabinet Hinge: Step-by-Step Guide

A medicine cabinet door that droops, swings open on its own, or refuses to latch is one of those small bathroom annoyances that gets worse every day you ignore it.

A medicine cabinet door that droops, swings open on its own, or refuses to latch is one of those small bathroom annoyances that gets worse every day you ignore it. The good news is that a broken hinge is a straightforward fix that costs under ten dollars and takes less than an hour — no plumber or carpenter required.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Needle-nose pliers
Replacement hinges (match the style and size of the originals)
Wood glue and toothpicks (for stripped holes)
Painter’s tape
Level

A good set of precision screwdrivers makes this job much easier because medicine cabinet screws are often small and recessed. The TEKTON 40-piece screwdriver set covers every size you are likely to encounter in a bathroom cabinet.

Step 1 — Assess the Damage

Open the cabinet door fully and look at every hinge. Determine whether the hinge body itself is cracked, whether a screw hole is stripped, or whether the mounting plate has pulled away from the frame. Sometimes only one screw is loose, and a simple tightening with a screwdriver is all that is needed.

If the hinge is bent or the metal has fatigued, you need a replacement. Note the hinge type (butt, European cup, or pivot), its dimensions, and the number of screw holes so you can buy an exact match.

Step 2 — Remove the Door

Hold the door steady with one hand or prop it with a folded towel on the sink below. Remove the screws from the hinge attached to the door first, then the screws from the cabinet frame side. Set the door on a flat surface.

Step 3 — Deal With Stripped Screw Holes

If the screws spin without gripping, the wood behind the hole has given out. Dab wood glue on three or four toothpicks, push them firmly into the hole, snap off the excess flush with the surface, and let the glue cure for at least two hours. Once hardened, the toothpicks give the screw threads something solid to bite into.

Step 4 — Install the New Hinges

Position the replacement hinge on the door stile, lining up the pre-drilled holes. Drive the screws until they are snug but not fully tightened — you want to be able to make small adjustments. Hang the door back on the cabinet by attaching the frame side of each hinge. Use a level or eyeball the gap around the door edges to confirm it sits evenly before driving everything fully tight.

Step 5 — Test the Swing and Latch

Open and close the door several times. It should swing smoothly without rubbing the frame and should pull shut with a satisfying click if a magnetic catch is present. If the door sticks at the top or bottom, slightly loosen the hinge screws on that side, nudge the door into position, and retighten.

For cabinets with adjustable European hinges, look for a small Phillips screw on the side of the hinge cup that moves the door left or right, and a second screw on the mounting plate that moves it in or out. A few quarter-turns often dial in a perfect fit.

Choosing Replacement Hinges

Standard butt hinges for medicine cabinets are sold at every hardware store. If your cabinet uses European cup hinges, measure the cup diameter (typically 26 mm or 35 mm) before shopping. The Rok Hardware 35 mm concealed cabinet hinges (10-pack) fit most frameless medicine cabinets and include mounting plates and screws.

For older recessed cabinets with pivot hinges, a universal pivot hinge set like the National Hardware N830-208 covers most standard openings and adjusts to compensate for minor frame irregularities.

Preventing Future Hinge Problems

Medicine cabinet doors are opened dozens of times a day, which stresses hinges more than most people expect. Every year or so, tighten all hinge screws and apply a drop of 3-in-1 oil to each pivot point. This five-minute habit will keep the door swinging quietly and reliably for years.

If the cabinet frame itself is rusted through or the mirror backing is delaminating, it may be time for a full replacement — but in most cases a new pair of hinges is all it takes to restore a perfectly functional bathroom cabinet.

⏰ PT2H 💰 $10–$50 🔧 Safety glasses and work gloves, Measuring tape, Level, Utility knife, Basic tool set (screwdrivers, pliers, hammer)

Step 1 — Assess the Damage
Open the cabinet door fully and look at every hinge. Determine whether the hinge body itself is cracked, whether a screw hole is stripped, or whether the mounting plate has pulled away from the frame.
Step 2 — Remove the Door
Hold the door steady with one hand or prop it with a folded towel on the sink below. Remove the screws from the hinge attached to the door first, then the screws from the cabinet frame side. Set the door on a flat surface.
Step 3 — Deal With Stripped Screw Holes
If the screws spin without gripping, the wood behind the hole has given out. Dab wood glue on three or four toothpicks, push them firmly into the hole, snap off the excess flush with the surface, and let the glue cure for at least two hours.
Step 4 — Install the New Hinges
Position the replacement hinge on the door stile, lining up the pre-drilled holes. Drive the screws until they are snug but not fully tightened — you want to be able to make small adjustments.
Step 5 — Test the Swing and Latch
Open and close the door several times. It should swing smoothly without rubbing the frame and should pull shut with a satisfying click if a magnetic catch is present.