Has your refrigerator door swung open when you didn’t want it to lately? You’re not alone – it’s a widespread problem for homeowners to experience their fridge door not closing or staying shut. Some main reasons a refrigerator door won’t stay closed include misalignment of the refrigerator door, a damaged or worn refrigerator gasket, obstructed door hinges, or uneven door shelves or door bins. Identifying and addressing the specific cause is key to fixing why your refrigerator door is not closing properly. This guide will explore the refrigerator door not closing in more depth.
The main reasons why The Fridge Door Won’t Stay Closed
These root causes can help inform where to focus your diagnostic testing. The top reasons a refrigerator door has trouble fully closing or sealing include:
Misalignment of The Refrigerator Door:
One common issue that can cause a refrigerator door not to close is a misalignment of the refrigerator door itself. Over time and with regular use, the tracks that the door slides on can become bent or shifted out of proper position. When this happens, the door no longer seals flush against the front of the fridge. Even slightly misaligned tracks can prevent a good seal from forming. It’s important to check that the tracks are aligned correctly and adjust them if needed to resolve why the refrigerator door is not closing properly.
Damaged or Worn Refrigerator Gasket:
Another key reason a refrigerator door may have trouble staying closed is due to issues with the door gasket. This is the sealing strip of material around the edge of the door that creates an air-tight seal when closed. Over time and with repeated use, gaskets can become worn down, cracked, or compressed to the point where they no longer ensure a proper seal is formed. A damaged or worn gasket is a common culprit behind why the refrigerator door is not closing correctly. Replacing an old gasket with a new one is usually necessary to resolve this sealing issue.
Obstructed door hinges:
Another potential reason is due to obstructions in the hinge area. Over time, things like food particles, crumbs, or other debris can accumulate where the door attaches. When this builds up, it prevents the door from hanging and swinging freely. Obstructed hinges don’t allow for a tight, flush seal. It’s a good idea to thoroughly clean the hinge area periodically to avoid any blockages from developing that can interfere with why the refrigerator door isn’t closing completely. Clearing any obstructions is often an effective troubleshooting step.
Uneven door shelves or door bins:
Having one or more shelves or bins positioned unevenly within the refrigerator door can also contribute to a reason why the refrigerator door is not closing. Overfilling shelves and bins can cause them to sag in the middle, no longer laying flat. This can create gaps that prevent a flush seal all around the door perimeter. Adjusting shelf or bin positions left to right, as well as levelling them if needed, may solve sealing issues related to obstructed shelves. Ensuring interior door components aren’t hindering a tight closure is an important diagnostic step.
How to Fix a Fridge Door Won’t Stay Closed?
Now that we’ve explored some potential reasons why a refrigerator door may not be closing properly, it’s time to discuss steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Adjust the fridge door hinges:
- Open the door fully to access the hinges. You may need to use a butter knife or thin tool to help leverage them.
- Inspect each hinge for signs of bending, loose screws, or other issues. Hinges should hold the door completely flush all along the sealing line.
- Use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen any hinge screws slightly if needed.
- Gently bend or manipulate the hinge base to level or re-centre its position if it has shifted off-square.
- Once the hinge is aligned correctly, re-tighten the screws fully to secure it in place.
- Close the door and check the seal all around. Re-adjust as needed until the seal is tight.
Replace the Refrigerator door gasket:
If a worn or damaged door gasket is suspected of causing a poor seal, replacement is typically the solution. Follow these steps to replace a refrigerator door gasket:
- Remove any shelving or other interior door components so the gasket is fully accessible.
- Peel off the existing old gasket completely around the door perimeter.
- Clean the gasket channel thoroughly to remove any remaining residue.
- Insert the new replacement gasket into the channel, starting at one corner and working your way around.
- Use a heat tool or hair dryer on a low setting to gently form the new gasket material to the contour of the channel.
- Replace any shelves or bins and close the door.
- Check the seal all around and make adjustments as needed until tight.
Remove any obstructions from the door hinges:
For refrigerator doors that have trouble closing due to obstructions in the hinge area, thorough cleaning is essential. Follow these steps:
- Open the door fully and inspect each hinge crevice for trapped debris.
- Use an old toothbrush or small brush to dislodge any particles or residue from the hinges.
- Compressed air can also help clear stubborn crumbs or dust.
- Wipe down the hinges and surrounding area clean once the debris is removed.
- Check hinge movement is smooth and unrestricted as the door is opened and closed.
- Re-close the door and inspect the seal. Adjust or realign hinges as needed.
Level door shelves and bins:
If uneven or sagging shelves and bins inside the refrigerator door are causing a poor seal, ensure they are properly levelled. This helps verify the door closes flat all around:
- Remove all shelving and bins from the door.
- Inspect each piece for warping, sagging, or other factors preventing it from lying flat.
- Use shelf-leveling strips under the front edge as needed to level sloping shelves.
- For bins, tightening mounting screws or braces can level them.
- Replace shelves and bins one by one, checking each lies flat and true.
- Close the door and inspect the seal. Re-level pieces if gaps remain.
Reach-out Ash Appliance Repair
So if self-solutions have not fixed the situation or you simply don’t have the time or inclination for DIY repair work, trust the experts at Ash Appliance Repair to return your fridge door to closing just as it should. Simply contact them at 604-900-8062 for a free estimate. Your refrigerator is in reliable hands for quick, high-quality repairs that last.
