Why does the refrigerator door stick?

What to do if the refrigerator door does not close

Before you say goodbye to your old refrigerator, you need to see what can be done to make the door close normally. Can I fix this problem myself?

How to check if a door closes tightly?

The following situation may also happen: the door, at first glance, closes tightly, but the food in the refrigerator begins to quickly deteriorate, and the unit itself often overheats.

Such a case is a reason to check the operation of the door. To do this, take a regular notebook sheet and press it against the refrigerator door. If it closes, it means the unit remains sealed; if not, its density is lost.

Main reasons

Before you start repairing the refrigerator, you should understand the reason why the door does not close. There may be several of them:

• the rubber seal is too dirty, greasy and therefore does not maintain its tightness;
• the rubber seal has lost its tightness due to age and expiration;
• the door spacer element has become loose, causing its position to become uneven;
• the strut began to crack from age;
• overloading the refrigerator door, which caused its position to become deformed;
• The refrigerator is tilted due to an uneven floor.

If the unit is equipped with a special sensor that monitors the tightness of the door closure, there is another reason: it could break down and give false information that the refrigerator door is not slammed shut.

Why can't I open the door?

The problem when the refrigerator door does not open can affect both new expensive models of foreign brands Liebherr and Samsung, as well as old inexpensive ones - Indesit and Bosch. Here are the main reasons why the lid sticks to the body of the refrigerator compartment.

• Discharge of warm air. In new devices or after replacing the sealing rubber, the shutter opens easily for the first time, but if you want to look inside again, it seems to stick and you can’t open it without effort. There is no problem with this, it's all a matter of physics. Warm air from the room entered the refrigerator compartment and began to compress as it cooled. This creates a pressure difference between inside and outside, that is, the external air flow puts pressure on the door and prevents it from opening. After 2-3 minutes the pressure will equalize.
• The drainage system is clogged. If after a few minutes the refrigerator door suctions strongly and nothing changes, this indicates that the drainage hole, through which moisture is removed and some air gets inside, is clogged. This prevents the pressure in the chamber from normalizing. A sign of this failure is the accumulation of water under the lower drawers.
• Adhesive sealing tape. When the device is rarely used or washed with aggressive agents, the rubber that makes up the seal may deteriorate and become covered with a sticky coating. There is no point in washing it off, because the material has already lost its elasticity anyway. The part needs to be changed.

So, let's look at each reason separately.

Dirty rubber seal

The rubber seal is one of the most important parts of your refrigerator, so make sure to wash it when cleaning it. However, if the rubber is dirty, this may cause the door to not close completely.

First of all, try to wash the seal. If the contamination is light, then this will not cause much trouble, and after a couple of hours the refrigerator will work like new. But if the dirt has already become embedded, it will be easier to purchase new tires.

Attention! Do not clean the seal with heavy chemicals that you use to wash tiles, bathtubs or sinks. Vinegar, dishwashing detergent, or regular soda will help remove dirt. They will not only remove dirt, but also keep the refrigerator clean for a long time.

Old rubber seal

The time has come when Soviet refrigerators fell into disrepair. The time has come - nothing can be changed.

An old rubber seal can be distinguished by the following features:

• hardening of the material, especially in the corners;
• appearance of yellowness;
• growth of cracks on the surface.

If your tires have at least two of the above symptoms, you can be sure that it’s time to change or restore it.

Loose or cracked spacer

The hallmark of a loose strut is that the door is offset toward the floor. This problem occurs in old refrigerators, since over time the spacer element, which is located below, at the junction of the door and the base of the unit, breaks. It is easy to identify this breakdown: if the door pushes back when closing, then the problem is probably in the spacer. Try lifting the door and slamming it sharply - it will close.

However, this problem should not be left alone. Therefore, if the refrigerator door does not close, you need to replace the spacer element, otherwise it may simply fall off.

Door overload

Another reason why the door does not close is that it is overloaded. Move some of the food on the door shelves and it will work again. However, if the door still does not close well, you should check the spacer. Perhaps it was damaged due to overload.

Door position offset

So, have you checked all the above reasons and the door is still not closing tightly? Perhaps the reason lies in the deformation of the door. This problem occurs when the technology is neglected (door slamming, etc.). The solution may require both adjusting the door and replacing it. It is difficult to solve this problem on your own, so it is recommended to call a specialist.

Prevention of breakdowns

If the refrigerator door is currently closing, you should treat it with care and follow a few simple rules for operating your refrigerator:

• When defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator, you should wipe the rubber seal with soapy water or vinegar to avoid contamination;
• close the door gently and carefully - slamming it suddenly breaks its tightness;
• Do not place heavy jars of pickles on the door shelves - they can create an overload and damage the door.

By following the basic rules of refrigerator operation and performing preventive cleaning of the seal, you will extend the life of your refrigerator for a long time.

What to do if the door sticks

The first thing you should do if the refrigerator door is difficult to open is wait. If your equipment is working properly, the problem will be fixed in a minute. Moreover, a tight-fitting flap indicates that the products are stored correctly and you will not need to replace the sealing rubber for a long time.

If you cannot open the device again after 5 minutes, this indicates a blockage in the drainage system. To eliminate it, take a long toothpick or 20 cm stiff wire and lower it into the drain hole. If self-cleaning does not help, contact a specialist. He will carry out professional cleaning with special tools. Without them, you risk damaging the internal parts of the system.

Often the cause of a door's tight movement is the seal. When washing your equipment next time, pay special attention to this area: wash the elastic with a mild fat-dissolving agent and rinse thoroughly with a soft sponge. It is not recommended to rub it with hard brushes or use strong reagents. Remember that rubber materials wear out in 5-8 years, so it is often easier to replace the seal than to try to revive it and risk the temperature regime of the entire system.

Sometimes you may feel that the door opens and closes very tightly. This indicates that the hinges are tight during assembly and will need to be lubricated and loosened as necessary. If you are not sure that you can do this yourself, it is better to invite a specialist from LenByt.

How to change the opening direction of the Indesit refrigerator door?

You can rehang the door on the refrigerator in just a few steps. Removing the refrigerator door and awnings requires very few tools and knowledge of how to use them. After removing the door and hinges (canopies), you need to secure the hinges on the other side, rearrange the handle, adjust the gaps, and you can use the unit.

What tools will you need:

• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers or screwdriver.
• You may need 8x10, 9x11, 12x14, 11x13 or 13x15 open-end wrenches (depending on the model of the device).

How to remove the door

Before starting the procedure, empty all chambers of food so as not to interfere, turn off the device from the network and let it thaw. This is necessary so that the rubber seal on the door straightens and takes its natural shape - when adjusting the door in a new position, this will play a big role.

Indesit refrigerator doors are mounted on a rotating hinge with slight variations in the location of hardware for different models:

But how to hang the refrigerator door without damaging or breaking the appliance itself? To remove it, you will need a screwdriver or screwdriver. Decorative plugs are removed with a knife or a flat-head screwdriver, and the bolt heads must have slots for a Phillips screwdriver. If they are not there, select a wrench of the required size.

The first to remove is the false panel of the refrigerator compartment so that you can get to the wiring harness connecting the display on the door with the automation of the household appliance (if there is a display). After removing the false panel, loosen the harness so as not to break the wires when removing the door. You can completely disconnect the panel with the display (it must be connected using a connector) - this will make it much more convenient to work.

Then remove the handle (more on this below) and loosen the lower door fastening, then the upper one. After this, you can completely unscrew the lower canopy and, holding the door, release the lower hinge from the fastenings. The door is removed from the upper canopy by lifting it up. Now set the door aside and start looking for places to attach the hinges on the opposite side. Technological holes for new fastening must be closed with plastic decorative plugs or a decorative plate.

Some Indesit models require the use of additional parts when rearranging doors. The complete set of these parts is provided by the manufacturer - they must be in a package with instructions.

Reversing the door to the opposite side

Before re-hanging the refrigerator door, you need to secure the hinges in the new place. After removing the decorative plugs, you will see threaded holes - this is where you need to attach the canopies. Do not tighten the bolts too much at first - you may have to adjust the position of the door.

Also, there may be a closing sensor on the body (in its upper part), and when the door is re-hung, it will also need to be moved to a new place - fastenings must be provided for it. If the sensor is located in the center, then there is no need to rearrange it. The sensor may be absent altogether - if it is made on a reed relay, it can be located inside the unit, under the casing. The same applies to the light bulb switch - in some models it can be located inside, and you won’t have to rearrange it at all.

The door hinges should have guide pins so that they can be easily inserted into their new location. But it can also be the other way around - the pins can be on the door, and not on the awnings, which does not affect the sequence of operations. The canopies can also be adjusted in height. After inserting the lower hole of the door fastening into the pin of the lower canopy, proceed to fastening the upper hinge.

The upper canopy also has a guide in the form of a pin - it must be inserted into the hole on the door and the canopy must be secured with bolts.

Adjusting the door consists of checking the tight fit of the seal around the entire perimeter, as well as checking the vertical and horizontal position of the door. You can optionally check using a level - check the parallelism of the door and body visually, or measure the distance between the door and body at the top and bottom with a ruler and adjust with bolts to ensure that it is the same.

After re-hanging the door, tilt the refrigerator back slightly. The door will close itself, and it will be possible to adjust it much easier and faster.

Changing the position of the handle

If the handle is made in the form of a housing element (pressed inward), then you won’t have to do anything. But usually the handles consist of two parts, one part is attached to the door and carries the load, and the second is a decorative trim. If you need to move the handle on the top of the door, you will have to reattach the harness going to the display. There should be another hole for this in the upper part of the door - it will be closed with a plug. Disconnect the connector with the wires, pull the harness through the new hole and secure the wires to the door.

The handle is removed using a screwdriver, and plugged holes are provided on the door for a new fastening. It is enough to remove the handle, remove the plugs in the new place, and screw the handle back on. All old mounting holes (both for handles and door hinges) are closed with plugs.

Re-hanging the Atlant refrigerator door

Often, when arranging a kitchen, the question arises of how to rehang the door of the Atlant and other brands of refrigerators due to the fact that the current location of the door creates inconvenience when opening. This procedure will require some effort and time, but nevertheless it is quite simple and anyone can do it.

Preparatory work

Before re-hanging the doors, you need to free up space near the refrigerator, remove all food from inside the device and unplug it. The refrigerator can be left standing, but it will be more convenient to work, and especially to unscrew the bottom hinge, if you lay it flat on the floor.

To work you will need:

• A knife, spatula or flat wide screwdriver, which will be used to pry off plugs and decorative trims;
• Crosshead screwdriver;
• Key for internal hexagon No. 5 (i.e. with a diameter of 5 mm);
• 2 regular or socket wrenches, sizes 5 and 10 mm.

First, the refrigerator is inspected for access to fasteners, which are hidden by plastic plugs or decorative panels. They are carefully dismantled without damaging them, so that they can be hung back later.

If the refrigerator has a two-chamber, and both doors need to be re-hung, then the process is no different from working with a single-chamber refrigerator.

Removing the decorative strip

Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the so-called. mask - a plastic panel covering the top hinge of the refrigerator door, and remove it by slightly pulling it towards you. Under this panel there is a thermal insulating layer of foam. This material crumbles and breaks quite easily, so during all work on hanging the door it must be carefully removed and put aside so as not to damage it.

Removing the top hinge of the refrigerator

Once the decorative plastic panel is removed, it becomes possible to remove the fastening of the top hinge, which is a bar with a pin that holds the door in place. A similar strip with a thread for a pin is present on the other side. The bolts of the strip are unscrewed with a hex key or wrench. In principle, while the top hinge is unscrewed, the door can be held on by the seal, but just in case it is additionally secured with tape.

Next, the door of the freezer (if it is a two-chamber refrigerator) or the entire refrigerator (if it is a single-chamber one) can be removed. To do this, open it wide and lift it up from the lower fastening, carefully holding it so as not to bend the fastening in the process.

Removing the middle hinge

If the refrigerator is two-chamber, i.e. In addition to the refrigerator itself, there is also a freezer compartment at the top, then in addition to the hinges at the top and bottom there will be another one in the middle between the doors of the two compartments.

When the freezer door is removed, access to the bolts of this middle hinge becomes quite convenient. Remove the decorative caps from them in the color of the refrigerator and unscrew them. Then, as with the freezer door, the refrigerator door is opened, lifted, and removed from the bottom mounting. After which it becomes possible to dismantle the lower hinge.

If the refrigerator is old enough, then perhaps the sealing rubber on it has already become unusable, ensuring the tightness of the refrigerator chambers. Since the doors are removable anyway, replacing or at least repairing the seal may be a good idea.

Reversing the bottom loop

The bottom hinge is also hidden under a decorative strip that must be carefully removed. After this, you can unscrew the loop from one side and move it to the other, and then put the decorative strip back in place.

While the doors are removed from the refrigerator, it is convenient to rearrange the handles on them. To do this, remove the upper part covering the fasteners, unscrew these fasteners, attach the lower part on the opposite side and snap the upper part again.

Installation of hinges and doors

After rearranging and securing the bottom hinge, carefully put the door on it, holding it, screw the middle hinge. At this stage, while the bolts are not yet tightened, you need to adjust the vertical position of the door. This can be done by eye, but it is better to use a level. The freezer door is attached in a similar way. The work is made easier by the fact that it weighs much less than the main compartment door.

On each hinge, to reduce the friction force between the door and the hinges, their design contains gaskets - pieces of plastic. When re-hanging the door, it is very important not to lose them or forget to put them back on.

The Atlant refrigerator is designed to hang the door from one side to the other. This means that the door and the refrigerator itself have holes for hinges and handles on both sides. On the side where they are not used, they are closed with plugs in the color of the refrigerator. Accordingly, when reversing the door, these plugs must be moved to the other side. Since the holes on the working side sometimes become loose over time, they may need to be sealed with paper or simply put plugs on the glue so that they do not fall out.

After installing the top hinge, a sheet of foam plastic is placed in place, if it was previously removed, and a decorative panel is installed.

If even when purchasing it is clear that you will need to rehang the refrigerator door, you can ask the store employees to do this. This procedure will not affect the warranty period of the device. Or you can contact service center employees who will re-hang the door free of charge during the warranty period, or refrigeration equipment technicians.