Changing the opening side Refrigerator doors are a common need that arises when moving or remodeling a kitchen space. Often the standard arrangement of handles and hinges interferes with convenient access to products or blocks the passage in a narrow kitchen. Fortunately, most modern models allow you to change the side of the hinge without calling a technician.
The process of moving doors requires care and a minimum set of tools, but ignoring technical nuances can lead to damage to the seal or a leak. Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your model supports this function, as some budget options have a fixed body design. In this guide, we will go through all the steps so that you can do the work yourself and safely.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before you begin dismantling, you need to prepare a stable surface and free up space around the equipment. The refrigerator should be moved away from the wall so that you can freely walk around it on all sides without touching other interior items. Be sure to check that the floor is level, otherwise the unit may tilt when removing heavy doors.
To complete the work, you will need a basic DIY kit, which usually includes various types of screwdrivers and keys. Some models may require specific tools, such as hex keys or socket wrenches, which are often included with the refrigerator itself. Prepare a container for small parts in advance so as not to lose screws and plugs during work.
☑️ Tools for moving the door
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carry out dismantling and installation with an assistant to avoid falling of the structure and injury to the legs. It is also worth having a soft cloth or cardboard on hand on which you can safely place the removed elements.
Design features and checking transferability
Not all refrigerators are universal in terms of rearranging doors, so the first step is always to study the technical documentation or visually inspect the case. Modern models Indesit, Atlant, Beko and LG most often provide for the possibility of re-hanging, but the design may differ. In some cases, there may be no mounting holes or hinge mates on the opposite side of the case.
⚠️ Attention: If there are no threaded holes or special plugs on the side wall where the door is planned to be transferred, transfer may not be possible without serious modification of the case, which is not recommended.
Particular attention should be paid to models with system No Frostwhere electrical cables can pass through the door to control the display or backlight. In such cases, simply rearranging the loops is impossible without reconnecting the wiring, which requires additional skills. If the wires pass through the top hinge, they will need to be carefully disconnected and re-routed on the other side.
Is it possible to move the door on a refrigerator with a display?
Yes, but it is more difficult. You will need to disconnect the display power cables. Typically the connectors are located under the top cover or inside the case. Be careful not to damage the thin contacts.
It is also worth considering the location of the handles: if they are integrated into the door profile and do not have symmetrical counterparts on the other side, you may need to order additional components. In rare cases, the asymmetry concerns only the shape of the seal, which makes the transfer technically difficult or impossible.
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The process begins with freeing up the internal space: remove all shelves, drawers and products to make the structure as light as possible. This will not only simplify the work, but also reduce the risk of objects falling inside the chamber when the unit is tilted. After this, you can begin to remove the top cover, if there is one, which often hides the fasteners.
Next, you should unscrew the fastenings of the top hinge, holding the door in a vertical position so that it does not fall. In models with electronics, at this stage it is necessary to carefully disconnect the wire connectors, having previously photographed their connections for ease of reassembly. Disconnecting the cables requires caution: do not pull the wires sharply, use a thin screwdriver to carefully remove the connectors.
After removing the top hinge and disconnecting the communications, the door is carefully removed from the lower axis and put in a safe place. Now you can dismantle the lower hinge and strikers, which will subsequently be transferred to the opposite side. It is better to immediately sort all removed screws and plugs by stages of work.
Rearranging fittings and mounting plates
The next stage involves moving all fasteners to the opposite side of the case. To do this, stoppers and plugs are unscrewed from the original side and installed on the vacated holes to preserve the aesthetic appearance. On the new side, on the contrary, the plugs are removed, opening access to the threaded connections.
The lower support loop is installed in a new place and secured with the bolts that previously held the stopper or plug. It is important to check that the hinge is level and fits tightly to the body, since the correct operation of the closing mechanism depends on this. If the refrigerator came with special pins or bushings for transfer, use them.
Don't forget to rearrange opening limiterif it is provided for by the design of your model. This element prevents the door from swinging open at an angle of more than 90-110 degrees, protecting the walls and seal from damage. Its rearrangement is often overlooked, which leads to the door hitting the wall during operation.
Installing the door and adjusting the position
Installing the door on a new side is done in the reverse order of dismantling, but requires increased care when the pins get into the holes. The lower axis of the door is carefully inserted into the previously installed lower hinge, after which the upper part is aligned. Holding the door, install the top hinge and tighten the mounting bolts without fully tightening them.
At this stage, the correct adjusting the gaps between the door and the body is critical. The door should fit evenly around the entire perimeter, without distortions or cracks through which cold can escape. If the door is skewed, loosen the top hinge and slightly move it in the desired direction, then check the fit again.
After alignment, you can finally tighten all the bolts and check the operation of the mechanism. The door should open and close smoothly, without squeaks or jams, and the magnetic seal should adhere tightly to the body along its entire contour. If you notice a loose fit in some corner, you may need additional adjustment of the height of the legs of the refrigerator.
Nuances for models with different cooling systems
Owners of equipment with a system Total No Frost or Multi Flow should be especially careful when working with the upper part of the unit. Air ducts and fans are often located in the top panel, and careless removal of the door can damage the plastic boxes. In such models, the lighting and control wires may not go through the top hinge, but through the side wall, which requires removing the side panel.
For refrigerators with one compressor and two chambers, moving the doors is usually standard, but in models Side-by-Side the procedure may differ radically. It often requires complete dismantling of the entire front panel and rearrangement of the central pillars, which is not recommended to do without experience. In such cases, it is better to contact the official service instructions manufacturer.
⚠️ Attention: In models with a display on the door, make sure that the cables are long enough to connect from the new side. Sometimes it is necessary to extend the wires or resolder the contacts.
If your refrigerator has an in-door ice maker, transfer may not be possible due to water supply. In such cases, usually only the opening side of the main chamber is changed, and the freezer remains as is, or a complex alteration of the water supply system is required.
Tightness check and final adjustment
After installing the doors, it is necessary to conduct a leak test to ensure that the refrigerator is operating efficiently. The easiest way is to use a sheet of paper: press it between the door and the body in different places and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out easily or falls out on its own, it means that in this place seal it does not fit tightly and adjustment is required.
It is also worth checking the operation of the open door alarm, if it is provided by the model. Open the door for a while and make sure the buzzer sounds on time. If the door begins to close too tightly or, on the contrary, slams, check the angle of the refrigerator itself: it should be slightly tilted back for self-closing.
| Check parameter | Normal condition | Possible problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealant fit | Tight around the entire perimeter | There are cracks or gaps | Adjusting hinges or replacing the seal |
| Door movement | Smooth, without creaks | Tight to open or creaks | Lubricating hinges, checking level |
| Self-closing | Door closes itself from 45° | The door remains open | Adjustment of the front legs (unscrew) |
| Case clearances | Uniform on all sides | Warped visually | Loosen and re-tighten the hinges |
In conclusion, it is worth noting that proper rearrangement of doors not only improves the ergonomics of the kitchen, but also extends the life of the equipment. Following the sequence of actions and being careful when working with fasteners guarantees an excellent result. If you have any doubts or malfunctions during the process, do not hesitate to contact an authorized service center.
Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before moving the doors?
Yes, this is a prerequisite. Water can leak out when tilting or removing doors and damage electronics or the floor. In addition, ice in the chambers increases weight and makes the structure unstable.
What to do if, after moving, the door does not fit tightly?
Most likely, the installation geometry of the hinges is broken. Loosen the top hinge and try to move the door slightly left and right or back and forth. Also check if a foreign object is stuck in the seal.
Is it possible to move the door on a Samsung refrigerator yourself?
Many Samsung models support transfer, but often require removing the top plastic cover and working with the electronics. If you do not have experience, it is better to call a specialist so as not to damage the control cables.
Where should I put the holes from the loops on the old side?
The refrigerator usually comes with plastic plugs (dust caps), which are inserted into the vacated holes. If they are lost, they can be ordered at the service center or matched by color and size at a hardware store.
Why did the refrigerator door begin to close worse after moving?
Perhaps you did not unscrew the front adjusting feet enough. To close properly, the refrigerator must be tilted back so that gravity helps the door slam shut.