How to move the refrigerator door to the other side

The situation when the kitchen layout changes or the refrigerator moves to another room often poses a technical question to the owner: how to move the refrigerator door to the other side. This action allows you to adapt the equipment to new space conditions, making access to products more convenient and ergonomic. Fortunately, most modern models from brands such as LG, Samsung or Bekoare initially designed with the possibility of reversible opening.

The rehanging process requires a certain amount of accuracy and a basic set of tools. Failure to perform the procedure correctly may result in damage to the housing, loss of sealing, or failure of the closing mechanism. In this article, we will look in detail at the stages of preparation, dismantling old fittings and installing hinges on the opposite side so that you can do the work yourself and safely.

Before taking active steps, you need to understand the design of your unit. Not all refrigerators support the reverse function, although the vast majority do. It is important to study the technical documentation in advance or find the model on the Internet to make sure that there are spare holes and a re-hanging kit. Ignoring this stage This may lead to you taking the equipment apart and not being able to put it back together.

Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace

To successfully complete the job, you will need a minimum set of home craftsman. The main tools will be screwdrivers: Phillips and flathead, as well as a wrench or a set of sockets, the size of which depends on the model of your refrigerator. Often an 8 or 10 mm wrench is required. It would also be a good idea to prepare a building level to check the position of the equipment after installation is completed.

Free up space around the refrigerator. You need access from all sides, especially from where the door will be moved and from where it is currently located. Remove carpets to avoid damage and cover the floor with thick cardboard or soft cloth. This will protect the floor covering from scratches if the heavy door has to be suspended or accidentally dropped.

Be sure to unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet. Unplug from the outlet and let the appliance sit for 10-15 minutes. This is necessary to ensure that the refrigerant is distributed evenly in the system and the compressor cools down. In addition, removing all products and shelves will significantly reduce the weight of the structure, which is critical when working alone.

⚠️ Attention: Never attempt to rearrange the door while the refrigerator is plugged in or there are heavy foods inside. A sudden jerk may damage the compressor or cause injury.

Prepare a container for small parts. It is better to put bolts, washers, plugs and the hinges themselves in a separate box or magnetic tray. The loss of even one small screw can stop the entire process or lead to a loose fit of the door.

Removing the top panel and door removal

You should always start work from the top of the refrigerator. First you need to remove the decorative cover of the top hinge, if it is provided for in the design. It is usually held in place by latches or a single screw. Gently pry it off with a flathead screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the plastic. Under the cover you will see the top hinge mounting bolts.

Using a wrench or screwdriver, remove the bolts securing the top hinge. Here, therefore, have an assistant hold the top of the refrigerator compartment or gently support the door against the body, first loosening but not completely removing one of the bolts.

Once the top hinge is released, carefully lift the door up to remove it from the bottom pin. Proceed smoothly so as not to damage the sealing rubber or the decorative coating on the ends. It is better to immediately put the removed door in a safe place, placing a soft cloth under it.

• 🔧 Remove the decorative plug from the top hinge.
• 🔩 Unscrew the fastening bolts of the top hinge.
• 🚪 Remove the door by lifting it up.
• 🛡️ Place the door in a safe place on a soft surface.

Now you need to remove the top hinge itself completely. Set it aside; you'll need it later. Carefully inspect the end of the case: there you will see holes closed with plastic plugs. It is in them that we will install the loop on the other side. Don't lose these plugs; you'll need them to mask old holes.

Flipping the door and moving the fittings

The next step is preparing the door itself for installation on the new side. To do this, you need to rearrange the handle (if it is not integrated into the profile) and dismantle the lower hinge on one side in order to install it symmetrically on the other. In some models, the handle is simply screwed on from the inside, while in others, disassembly of the mechanism is required.

Turn the removed door over with the inside facing up (on a soft surface!). Locate the attachment points for the handle and bottom hinge. Unscrew the fasteners. If the handle is symmetrical, you can simply rearrange it. If it has a specific shape, a second, mirrored handle is often included with the refrigerator, or the main handle is universal and only requires rearranging the mounting pins.

Pay special attention to the pin of the bottom hinge. This is a metal rod on which the door “sits.” It needs to be unscrewed from the old hole and screwed into a new, symmetrical hole on the opposite end of the door. For reliability, the threads can be lightly lubricated with machine oil or graphite grease, but do not overdo it so that the grease does not get on the products.

After rearranging the pins and handles, check that all the elements fit tightly and do not dangle. The pin should protrude upward exactly to the height that is necessary to fit into the hole in the lower hinge of the housing. If the pin has different lengths at the ends, make sure that it is installed with the correct side.

Installing the bottom hinge on the refrigerator body

Now we move on to working with the main body of the refrigerator. The bottom hinge is usually hidden under a plastic base or decorative strip near the floor. Remove this panel by pulling it towards you or unscrewing the fasteners. The bottom hinge will open in front of you, on which the freezer compartment now stands (if the refrigerator has a two-chamber) or the refrigerator itself.

Unscrew the bolts securing the bottom hinge to the body. Take it off. Now your task is to install the same loop (or a symmetrical one, if there are two of them in the set) on the opposite side. Align the hinge holes with the threaded holes in the bottom of the refrigerator and tighten the bolts. Do not tighten them all the way “tight” yet, leave a small gap for subsequent adjustment.

If you have a two-chamber refrigerator, then after removing the upper (refrigerator) door you will need to remove the lower (freezer) door. The principle is the same: remove the middle hinge (which has now become the top hinge for the freezer), remove the freezer door, turn over the handle and pin on it, and move the bottom hinge of the freezer to the new side.

What to do if the holes do not match?

In some models of refrigerators (especially old or budget ones), the holes for the hinges may not be through or absent from one of the sides. Carefully examine the end of the case. If there are no threads or technological holes closed with plugs, then it is impossible to rehang the door on this model without drilling new holes, which is strictly not recommended, since the cooling circuit can be damaged.

It is important not to confuse the left and right sides during installation. Make sure the hinge is installed in a mirror image of how it was before. An error at this stage will result in the door simply not falling into place or opening in the wrong direction.

Mounting the door and final assembly

When all the hinges have been moved to new places on the body and on the door itself, you can begin the final assembly. Start with the bottom door (if the refrigerator is two-chamber). Place it on the bottom pin. Make sure it fits snug and straight. Now install the middle hinge (which will now be the top hinge for the freezer and the bottom for the refrigerator).

Then install the top refrigerator door. Have a helper hold it while you insert the top pin into the hinge hole. After this, install the top hinge in place and tighten the bolts. At this stage, the bolts are tightened, but not completely tightened.

• 🧊 Install the lower door on the stud.
• 🔗 Fasten the middle hinge (for two-chamber models).
• ❄️ Install the upper door and slide it onto the upper loop.
• 🔩 Secure all the bolts, but do not tighten them all the way.

Now is the time to check the geometry. The door should fit evenly around the entire perimeter of the housing. If you see distortions, the door does not close or, on the contrary, opens by itself, it means that the hinges are distorted. Loosen the bolts, align the door and try tightening again.

Adjusting the position and checking the tightness

The final stage is adjustment. Take a building level and check the position of the door. It must stand strictly vertically. If the floor is uneven, use the refrigerator's adjustable feet (legs) by twisting or turning them to level the cabinet. This will also help the door close automatically due to gravity if it is not opened wide.

Tighten all hinge bolts completely. Make sure there are no gaps between the door and the body. To check for leaks, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet of paper with the door around the perimeter. It must be pulled out with force. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, the seal is broken in this place, and you need to adjust the hinge or check the seal.

⚠️ Attention: After installing the door, it may close too tightly. This is normal for new seals. After a few days of use, the tires will wear out and the ride will become softer. Do not lubricate the seal with oil or Vaseline - this may damage the rubber.

Do not forget to return all plastic plugs to their places. Those holes that have become free (where there used to be hinges) need to be closed with decorative plugs from the kit. Those holes where the hinges now stand should be open. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also protection of the internal structure from dust.

Frequent errors and troubleshooting

During the work Even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes. One of the most common is the loss of plugs or mixing up of bolts. The bolts for the top and bottom hinges may differ in thread length or diameter. Screwing a long bolt into a short hole can damage the housing or the hinge itself.

Another problem is damage to the seal when removing the door. If you pull the door sharply, you can tear the rubber band or tear it out of the groove. It will be difficult to restore the seal after this. They also often forget to remove the transport clamps of the compressor (if they are at the back), but this applies more to the first installation, however, when moving the refrigerator to re-weight the door, it is worth checking the back wall.

If after re-hanging the door does not stay in the closed position, the refrigerator may not be level. Tilt the top of the refrigerator back slightly (the back legs should be slightly higher than the front legs). This will ensure the correct opening and closing angle.

• ❌ Using inappropriate tools (screwdriver blade too large).
• ❌ Ignoring leveling.
• ❌ Over-tightening bolts, leading to metal deformation.
• ❌ Forgetfulness in installing plugs on old holes.

If you feel that you cannot cope, or the design of your refrigerator is too complex (for example, a Side-by-Side or French Door model with electronics on the door), it is better to contact a service center. In such models, moving doors may require reprogramming the controller or moving the display, which cannot be done without special knowledge.

Is it possible to rearrange the door on a Side-by-Side refrigerator?

On most Side-by-Side models (where there are two vertical doors next to each other), rearrange the doors to the other side impossible. The design of such refrigerators does not provide for symmetrical openings and mechanisms. However, there are rare models with reversible doors, but these are the exception. Always check the instructions.

What to do if you lose the plug for the hole?

If you have lost a plastic plug, the hole can be closed with a piece of black electrical tape or a special furniture sticker of the corresponding color. The main thing is to close the hole so that dust and moisture do not get inside. You can also order a set of plugs at the brand’s service center.

Is it necessary to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?

Yes, this is highly desirable. Tilts and movements of full ice can damage the No Frost system or cause melt water to leak into the mechanisms. It is better to carry out the defrosting procedure in advance so that the equipment is dry and light.

Why does the door slam after rehanging?

If the door slams when closing, the hinges may be too tight, or the refrigerator is standing too level/tilted forward. Try twisting the front legs a little to create a backward tilt. Also check whether the door touches the protruding parts of the shelves or cabinet.