Easy Fixes for Refrigerator Doors That Won’t Close
There may come a time when your refrigerator will simply not close. It can be a puzzling experience for someone who has no idea about appliances or those without overflowing food in their fridge, but it does happen.
Do not panic when facing frustrating circumstances like this. There are steps you can take to fix it.
Reasons Refrigerator Doors Won’t Close
But first, it is essential to understand why such a thing happens. Here are the most common reasons:
- The Door’s Weight Is Heavy: Although it is not very noticeable at first, the door’s weight increases when you put some food inside. It will cause the door to shut with difficulty.
- The Hinges Are Out Of Alignment: The hinges of your refrigerator door are designed to be perfectly parallel to each other to make it work flawlessly. But when it is out of alignment, it will wear and eventually cause your refrigerator to fail to close.
- The Hinges Are Broken: The hinges are strong materials that can withstand the door’s weight. However, some people close the door with too much force. That causes the hinges to be damaged. In the worst case, the hinge may break.
- The Rollers Are Worn Out: The rollers are the parts of the hinges that help the door to glide effortlessly. The rollers are made of hard materials, but they can still wear out.
How to Inspect and Fix Your Refrigerator Door
If none of these is the culprit behind your failing refrigerator door, you may need to do a little inspection.
Problem 1: The Seal Is Damaged
The seal is the part of the door that allows the door to shut, and it comes with the whole door. The seal is an integral part of the refrigerator, so if it malfunctions, it will cause the door to not close.
Here’s a quick fix:
- Try to close the door of your refrigerator.
- Run your hand along the edges of the door and try to feel any gust of cold air coming out.
- The air will point out where the issue is.
- Use cotton and place some petroleum jelly inside the torn part of the rubber. It would help seal the damage.
- Then push the seal back.
Problem 2: The Seal Is Dirty
If the seal is dirty and causes the door not to close, there’s no need to change it. You can simply clean the seal.
Here’s how you can clean it:
- Mix warm water with a drop of dishwashing liquid.
- Using an old toothbrush, dip the brush and scrub the gasket.
- Once done, wipe the gasket using a damp towel.
- Do this cleaning at least once a week.
Problem 3: Your Refrigerator Has an Old Seal
Using a refrigerator that is older than you? That could lead to a problematic seal. If the seal is old, it is still possible to fix it. You will be amazed at how easy it is to change a seal.
Here’s how:
- Unplug the refrigerator and remove any food inside.
- Open the door, but do not touch the gasket or the screws.
- Find the screws that are holding the gasket. Remove the screws.
- Take out the old gasket and clean the edges.
- Put in the new seal.
- Install the screws back in.
- Put back the food inside the old refrigerator.
It is not a pleasant experience for anyone to see their food go bad because the appliance is not working correctly. You will lose not only your food but also your hard-earned money.
Conclusion
Fortunately, you will find a solution even if it takes time. If you still have doubts, you can contact a technician. Some people get help from their friends who are well-versed in appliances. If you need an immediate solution, you can always get help from the company where you bought your refrigerator.
You’ll also find the most important reviews, tips, and more about refrigerators, such as answers to questions like how often should a refrigerator cycle and how much is a small fridge on this blog. For more info, download the FREE refrigerator hacks ebook now!