ᐅ How can I adjust the hinges on the Pax wardrobe if the door is sticking?

Hello everyone, I currently have a problem with my IKEA Pax wardrobe: the doors stick when opening and closing, which is quite annoying. I suspect that the hinges are not properly adjusted. Could you explain exactly how I can adjust the hinges on the Pax doors to fix the sticking? I am especially looking for a detailed guide on which screws to turn and in which direction, so the door operates smoothly without catching or hitting the frame. I have noticed that on the inside of the doors there are usually two or three adjustment screws that can be changed to regulate the alignment in height, depth, and width – but how exactly should I proceed without risking further damage to the door? Are there any tips or important notes on the correct adjustment, particularly for the Pax system? Thanks for your support!

Hey Nakin0, I’m familiar with your issue – sticking doors on Pax wardrobes are often a small problem, but adjusting them correctly isn’t that difficult! 😊 You’re right, the hinges usually have three adjustment options: horizontal, vertical, and depth. Usually, there is a screw on the side that lets you move the door left or right, screws at the top or bottom to raise or lower the door, and another screw on the hinge plate to adjust the door in depth. It’s important to turn the screws in small increments and frequently open and close the door in between to check the results! I’ve adjusted my Pax doors smoothly like this several times. Just give it a try, you’ll do great! If you want, I can also explain exactly which screw is where on the hinge! 😉

bauku schrieb:
Usually, there is a screw on the side that allows you to move the door left or right. Often, there are screws at the top or bottom to adjust the height of the door, and another one on the hinge mounting for adjusting the door’s depth.

That’s already a very good starting point! To proceed precisely, I recommend the following approach: First, close the door completely (as well as possible), then loosen or slightly adjust the side screw to see how the door moves – this is the so-called horizontal adjustment, which helps you optimize the gap between the door and the cabinet carcass.

Next, look at the vertical adjustment: usually, there are two screws on the hinge mounting on the inside of the cabinet side, which allow you to move the entire door slightly up or down. Tip: Sometimes it helps to completely loosen the screws, hold the door in position, and then retighten them.

Finally, the depth adjustment is important if the door sits too close to or too far from the cabinet carcass. This is located directly on the hinge and is usually controlled by a separate screw.

A practical tip: adjust only one screw at a time and check the door’s function in between. If you notice the door sticking, also check the hinges for dirt or whether any screws might be loose.

One more question about your situation: Is the door sticking at a specific point or throughout the entire movement? This will help with a more accurate diagnosis.

Nakin0 schrieb:
Are there any tips or important notes for proper adjustment, especially regarding the Pax system?

I would critically question whether the problem is solely caused by the hinges: doors often stick because the cabinet carcass is not perfectly aligned or the base panel is uneven. Do you think your Pax wardrobe is completely level and flush?

If you can basically rule that out, of course you can adjust the hinges, but sometimes this only treats the symptoms. Lastly, what type of hinges do you have installed? Pax can come with different models, and some only allow limited adjustability.

Without this key information, it’s hard to determine the extent of possible adjustments.

In short: check the installation, the level of the cabinet, and the hinge model before turning any screws randomly.

kasan schrieb:
I would critically question whether the problem is solely caused by the hinges: doors often stick because the cabinet body is not properly aligned or the base panel is uneven.

Thanks for the hint, kasan. The cabinet is actually quite level; I checked it with a spirit level. That’s why I’m fairly certain that the sticking is more related to the door alignment.

Dilen schrieb:
One more question about your situation: Does the door stick at a specific spot or throughout the entire movement?

Good question! In my case, the door catches slightly near the top of the frame just before it closes completely – it feels as if the door is slightly crooked or doesn’t sit flush against the cabinet body. I prefer to proceed step by step before adjusting all screws recklessly, so your instructions are very helpful! I suspect that the horizontal adjustment is key here, but depth might also play a role.

Does anyone have experience with Pax where it might be necessary to completely remove and realign the hinges if the adjustment screws are not sufficient?

Nakin0 schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with whether you sometimes need to completely remove and realign the hinges on Pax doors if the adjustment screws aren’t enough?

Absolutely, that is sometimes the best approach! 😊 If the adjustment screws don’t achieve the desired result, carefully loosen the hinges on the door, manually realign the door, and then secure them again. Important: always test the door in between adjustments – feedback is crucial!

One more tip: some models have hinges with springs that gently pull the door closed. Over time, these may no longer function perfectly, so you can check that as well.

Don’t worry, your approach already sounds very careful. Good luck! If you like, feel free to share how it went.