Relocating the refrigerator to a new kitchen or remodeling the room often requires changing the direction of door opening. Owners of modern models face an additional challenge when a system is located on one of the doors. This is not just a mechanical task of rearranging the hinges, but also a complex procedure that requires careful work with electronics. Samsung face an additional challenge when one of the doors is located control display or system Family Hub. This is not just a mechanical task of rearranging the hinges, but also a complex procedure that requires careful handling of the electronics.
The main difficulty is that the wire loops going to the screen are usually designed for the factory opening side. If you simply move the door, the wires may get twisted or even break the first time you open it. However, most models Samsung were initially designed with this possibility in mind, and the necessary plugs and fasteners are often hidden in the kit or inside the packaging.
Before you begin, you need to assess your strengths and the availability of the tool. If you are not confident in your skills in working with fragile electronics, it is better to contact an authorized service center. Otherwise, prepare a spacious place, a soft floor covering and a set of screwdrivers to begin the process of reversal doors.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Quality preparation is half the success. You will need not only a standard DIY kit, but also specific tools for working with plastic and electronics. The main rule: do not use excessive force, as the plastic latches of the case Samsung easily break if handled carelessly.
Gather the following tools: a Phillips screwdriver (usually PH2), a flathead screwdriver for removing decorative caps, a hex wrench (often included with the refrigerator) and, possibly, a socket head on 8 or 10 mm. Also prepare a container for storing screws so as not to lose small parts in the process.
Free up space in front of the refrigerator. You will need to remove the doors completely, so you need a place where they can be laid horizontally or supported vertically without damaging the floor or the unit itself. Cover the floor with cardboard or a thick blanket.
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers: Phillips and flat (for dismantling panels).
- 🔧 Hex key or wrench (size depends on the hinge model).
- 🧤 Work gloves: metal hinges may have sharp edges, and the display glass requires care.
- 📦 Container for fastening: it is better to fold the screws of different components separately.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator is equipped with a system No Frost and has a complex system of air ducts in the door, make sure that they do not get pinched when rehanging corrugated air supply tubes.
Removing the top panel and accessing the electronics
The process begins from the top of the refrigerator compartment. This is where the control electronics and the entry point for the display cables are most often located. First, remove the top case cover if it is blocking access to the top hinge. In some models Samsung with a screen on the door, the control panel can be built directly into the end of the door or located under a decorative trim.
Carefully pry up the plastic plugs on the top hinge. The fastening bolts are hidden under them. Unscrew them, but do not remove the hinge completely yet. At this point it is important to disconnect the electrical connector going to the display. It may be located inside the case above the door or brought out through a special hole.
If the connector is located inside, you will have to remove the top decorative panel of the refrigerator. Do this slowly, snapping the plastic clips around the perimeter. Find the connector coming from the door and carefully disconnect it. Usually it has a fixing tab that needs to be bent.
What to do if the connector does not come off?
Do not pull the wire by force! Take a closer look at the connector: there may be an additional lock or latch that needs to be pressed on the side. Forced disconnection will lead to breakage of the contacts.
After disconnecting the wire, you can finally remove the upper loop. Support the door with your hand to prevent it from falling. Now the upper part of the door is free, and you can proceed to removing the door itself from the lower fastenings.
Removing the doors and working with the display cables
The most crucial moment is separating the door with the display from the body. The cable connecting the screen to the main control unit is the most vulnerable element. Depending on the model Samsung, the wire may run inside the hollow door or be routed along the outside (in older models), which simplifies the task but spoils the aesthetics.
Remove the middle hinge (between the refrigerator and freezer compartments) if you are changing the opening direction of both doors. If only the upper door is hung, then it is enough to release the lower hinge of the upper door. Lift the door up to remove the axle from the lower fastening, and put it in a safe place.
Carefully inspect the end of the door. There you will see a hole where the wire goes. New models often use a quick disconnect system: the wire does not need to be re-strung; it is enough to move the connector to a symmetrical hole on the other side, if the design allows it. However, most often you need to carefully pull the wire out of the channel and thread it into a new hole from the opposite end.
| Element | Action during dismantling | Features for models with a display |
|---|---|---|
| Top loop | Unscrew the bolts, bend them to the side | The main wiring harness often passes through it |
| Display cable | Disconnect the connector inside the case | Requires special care, do not bend |
| Bottom bushing | Remove from the door hole | It may be necessary to move it to the other side |
| Decorative plug | Remove from the end where the hinge was | Needed for installation in a new location of the hinge |
⚠️ Attention: When pulling the wire out of the door, do not make sharp jerks. Inside the channel, the wire can be secured with tape or clips.
☑️ Check before installation
Rearrangement of hinges and fittings
After the doors are removed and the wires are moved (or reconnected), the stage of mechanical rearrangement begins. At the ends of the doors, where there were no hinges, there should be threaded holes closed with plastic plugs. Unscrew the plugs from the working side and install them on the vacated holes to maintain a symmetrical appearance.
Now let's take care of the hinges. The top loop is usually symmetrical, but may have a specific shape for a particular side. Check the instructions for your model Samsung: sometimes you need to turn the hinge over or use a mirror analogue from the spare parts kit. The lower support sleeve is also moved to the opposite side.
Install the lower freezer hinge to the new location. Use a level to make sure it is level, otherwise the door will warp. Secure the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet to be able to (finely adjust) the position.
- 🔄 Move the opening stops to the opposite side of the body, if any.
- 🔩 Replace the decorative covers on the hinges: where there was a hinge, put a plug, and vice versa.
- 📐 Check the horizontal installation of the lower support - this is critical for tight fit.
Carefully compare the parts before tightening.
Installing doors in a new location
Installation of doors occurs in the reverse order of dismantling. First, the lower door (freezer) is hung, then the upper one. Lift the bottom flap and slide it onto the bottom hinge. Make sure the axle fits tightly into the hole.
Next, install the middle loop (if it is common) or immediately the top one. When installing an overhead door with a display, first thread the cable harness through the hole in the hinge or frame before lowering the door into place. Connect the connector inside the refrigerator body to the end (until a characteristic click).
Secure the upper loop with bolts. At this stage, the door should already be holding, but its position needs to be adjusted. Check the tightness of the magnetic seal around the entire perimeter. The gaps between the doors or between the door and the body should be minimal and uniform.
Adjustment and performance testing
The final stage is adjustment. If the door hangs crookedly, loosen the top or middle hinge a little and add shims (often included) or simply change the angle by re-tightening the bolts. Modern refrigerators Samsung have height-adjustable legs, which also affects the tilt of the body back for self-closing.
After mechanical installation, turn on the refrigerator. Check display operation. If the screen does not light up, check the tightness of the cable connection. The contacts may have oxidized or are not fully inserted. Also check the operation of the lighting lamp and the open door alarm.
Leave the refrigerator for several hours to stabilize the temperature. During this time, listen for extraneous sounds. A creaking or knocking sound may indicate that the door touches the cabinet or floor when opening due to the incorrect installation height of the hinge.
⚠️ Attention: Specifications and location of elements may vary depending on the specific series of the refrigerator. Always check the official diagram in the user manual before starting work.
Is it necessary to change the wire cable when turning the door over?
In most modern models Samsung the length of the standard cable allows you to rearrange it into a symmetrical hole without replacement. However, some budget or specific models may require an extension cord or a complete replacement of the harness with a longer one if the standard wire is stretched when the door is opened 90 degrees.
What to do if the display stops working after turning over?
First of all, check the connector connection inside the top of the refrigerator. Often, when installing a door, the connector is not fully latched. Also check the integrity of the wire where it exits the end of the door - it could have broken during pulling. If everything is visually intact, the fuse on the control board may have burned out due to a power surge during manipulation.
Is it possible to hang the door alone?
Technically possible, but highly not recommended, especially for models with a display. The doors of heavy two-chamber refrigerators weigh a significant number of kilograms. The risk of the door falling, breaking the display glass or damaging the floor is very high. It is better to perform this operation together.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging it yourself?
The process of re-hanging the doors itself, described in the manufacturer's instructions, does not void the warranty. However, if in the process you damage the cable, break the display or break the thread, the service center will refuse to repair these specific units free of charge. Be extremely careful.