How to rearrange refrigerator doors: instructions with photos and expert advice

Rearranging refrigerator doors - a task faced when moving, renovating a kitchen, or simply wanting to change the opening side. It would seem that what is so difficult here? But in practice, many encounter unforeseen problems: from broken hinges to broken tightness. This article will help you avoid common mistakes and do the job accurately, even if you have never held a screwdriver before.

We will go through the process step by step - from preparing tools to final adjustment. We will pay special attention to models with a water dispenser and NoFrost refrigerators, where the rearrangement has its own nuances. And you will also find out in which cases it is better not to take risks and call a specialist.

Spoiler: if your refrigerator is older than 10 years, before starting work Be sure to check the availability of spare hinges from the manufacturer - many brands stop producing them 7-8 years after the model is discontinued. This will save you nerves and money.

When you really need to rehang the doors

Changing the opening side is not always justified. Here are the cases when this is really necessary:

• 🔄 Kitchen redevelopment —furniture or appliances block free opening.
• 👶 Child safety —if the handle is located on the side of the stove or sockets.
• 🛠️ Hinge breakage —sometimes it’s easier rehang the door rather than repair the old side.
• 🏡 Changing the location of the refrigerator —for example, when moving to an apartment with a mirror layout.

But when the rearrangement impractical:

• ❌ The refrigerator is under warranty - independent intervention will void it.
• ❌ Models with built-in ice maker - requires relocation of water pipes.
• ❌ Doors with electronic display —there is a high risk of damaging the wiring.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Samsung series RF i RS after 2019, rearranging the doors is officially prohibited by the manufacturer due to the characteristics of the cooling system. Check this information in the instructions for your model.

Preparation: tools and safety measures

Before you begin, collect everything you need. Without the right tools, you risk tearing off the fasteners or scratching the case.

Minimum set:

• 🔧 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers (preferably magnetic).
• 🔨 Hex key (for models Bosch, Siemens).
• 📏 Tape measure or a ruler - for symmetrical installation.
• 🧲 Magnet - useful for holding small parts.
• 🧴 Silicone grease (for example, WD-40 Specialist) for hinges.

Additionally for complex models:

• 🔩 Socket wrenches (for LG i Whirlpool).
• 🔧Din key (for Liebherr).
• 🧰 Plastic gaskets - if the old ones are worn out.

⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator equipped NoFrost system with an external evaporator (for example, Indesit or Ariston), after rearranging the doors it may be required refilling freon. This is due to a change in the load on the compressor. Check this point with the service center!

Also prepare the work space:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator from the network 2-3 hours before work (even when turned off, the capacitor may be energized).
2. Remove all products and shelves from the doors.
3. Lay a soft blanket - this will protect the floor from scratches if the door falls.
4. Ask an assistant - the refrigerator door weighs 15-30 kg!

Step-by-step instructions: removing the old hinges

Let's start with dismantling. This stage is the most important - it is easy to break the thread or lose small parts.

Step 1. Removing the top hinge

1. Open the door 90 degrees and secure it (for example, with a chair).
2. Remove the decorative hinge plug (it is usually snapped or screwed with one screw).
3. Unscrew the bolts securing the hinge to the refrigerator body. In most models there are 2-3 of them.
4. Hold the door, carefully remove it from the top hinge and place it on the floor.

Step 2. Removing the bottom hinge

1. Turn the door face down (on a soft surface!).
2. Remove the bottom plug and unscrew bolts.
3. Remove the pin (or bushing) from the bottom hinge - it may fall out on its own or you will need to carefully knock it out with a hammer through a wooden spacer.

Step 3. Removing the hinges from the door

1. Turn the door over to its normal position.
2. Unscrew the hinges from the door itself (usually 3-4 bolts for each).
3. Remove the handle (if it is in the way) - it is usually secured with two bolts from the inside.

If the bolts do not budge, do not apply excessive force! Treat them WD-40 and wait 10-15 minutes. As a last resort, use socket wrench with ratchet - it gives more leverage without the risk of tearing it off. edges.

Installing hinges on a new side: diagrams and nuances

Now you need to move the loops to the opposite side. The main thing here is do not confuse the top and bottomand also to correctly position the loops relative to the body.

General rule: the upper loop is always installed mirror relatively bottom. That is, if previously it was at the top right, now it should be at the top left.

Sequence of actions:

1. Remove the plugs on the opposite side of the refrigerator body (they are usually on latches or glued).
2. Try the loops to the new holes. In most models they are symmetrical, but in Stinol and Indesit additional holes may be required additional holes.
3. Fasten the top loop to 2 bolt (do not tighten completely!).
4. Place the door on the top hinge and level it.
5. Install the bottom hinge and insert the pin.
6. Tighten all bolts crosswiseto avoid distortion.

For models with water dispenser (for example, Samsung RS6* or LG GC-B*) you will need:

• 💧 Move the water supply tube to the other side (it is usually secured with clips inside the housing).
• 🔌 Reconnect the electrical connector of the dispenser (carefully pay attention to the polarity!).
• 🔧 Adjust the position of the ice maker button.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Haier and some models Hisense after rearranging the doors it is required resetting the opening sensor. Without this, a false alarm about an open door may be triggered. Look for the switch inside the case near the hinges.

If there are no holes on the other side, don't panic! The refrigerator usually comes with plugs for old holes and template for drilling new ones. Use a metal drill with a diameter of 4-5 mm and be sure to cover the drilling area with masking tapeso as not to damage the enamel.

What to do if there are no holes for hinges on the other side?

If your refrigerator model (most often it is Snaige, Nord or old ZIL) there are no holes for hinges on the other side, you will have to drill new ones. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Remove the top cover of the refrigerator - the hinge layout is usually hidden under it.

2. Use a self-centering drill to avoid misalignment.

3. After drilling, file the edges of the holes and paint them with automotive enamel (matching the color of the body) to avoid corrosion.

4. If you are afraid of making a mistake, order a rearrangement service from a service that has templates for drilling.

Adjusting and checking the tightness

Installing the hinges is half the battle. Now you need to adjust the door so that it:

• 🔲 fits tightly to the body along the entire perimeter.
• 📏 Opens effortlessly and does not close on its own.
• 🔊 Does not make creaks when moving.

How to adjust:

1. Check the gaps using sheet of paper —it should be pressed tightly along the entire contour of the seal. If it is easy to crawl through somewhere, the door is skewed.
2. Loosen the bolts on the hinges and slightly move the door in the desired direction.
3. For models with adjusting screws (for example, Liebherr) use a hexagon for fine adjustment.
4. Lubricate the hinges silicone lubricant (do not use petroleum-based oils - they damage the plastic!).

If the sealing gum does not fit tightly, it can:

• 🔥 Heat it with a hairdryer (temperature 50-60°C) and shape it with your hands.
• 🧼 Wash with warm water and soap - sometimes rubber loses elasticity from fat.
• 🛠️ Place a thin foam tape under it (as a last resort).

After adjustment, turn on the refrigerator and check:

• 🌡️ The temperature in the chambers (should be restored in 2-3 hours).
• 💡 The operation of the backlight (sometimes the contacts oxidize when rearranged).
• 🚰 The tightness of the dispenser tubes (if any).

1. The tightness of the seal (even a small gap increases the load on the compressor).

2. Correct connection of the closure sensor (in models with a display).

3. Refrigerator level - if skewed, the body can touch the walls, disrupting heat transfer.-->

Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when rearranging doors. Here are the most common ones:

Problems arise especially often with models Side-by-Side (two-door). It is important here:

• 🔄 Rearrange both doors at the same time - otherwise the balance will be upset.
• 🔧 Use reinforced hinges (they are heavier than standard ones).
• 📐 Set a gap between the doors of 2-3 mm for free movement.

If after the rearrangement there appears extraneous noise (creaking, knocking), probable reasons:

• 🔩 Loose hinge bolts - tighten them.
• 🧲 The seal magnet touches the body - adjust the position of the door.
• 🔧 Metal filings in the hinges - wash them with kerosene and lubricate them.

When is it better to call a specialist: complex cases

Not all refrigerators can be moved independently. In some cases, the risk of damaging the equipment is too great, and it is better to trust the professionals.

It is worth calling a specialist if:

• 🛠️ The refrigerator is under warranty (independent intervention will void it).
• 💡 Model with electronic control i display on the door (risk of damaging the wiring).
• 💧 Refrigerator with ice maker and water supply (requires relocation of tubes).
• 🔧 The hinges are stuck or the bolts are broken (special equipment is needed).
• 🏗️ The refrigerator body is made of stainless steel (drilling holes requires experience).

The average cost of rearranging doors in the service:

• 💰 Regular refrigerator: 1500–2500 rubles.
• 💰 Side-by-Side or with a dispenser: 3000–5000 rubles.
• 💰 Drilling new holes: +1000–1500 rubles.

If you decide to act on your own, but encounter a problem, do not improvise! It’s better to watch the official video from the manufacturer or go to the forum (for example, MasterCity or Cold+), where experts share life hacks for specific models.

⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Miele and premium series Samsung (for example, Family Hub) the hinges have individual calibration. Rearranging them without special equipment can lead to error E-22 (mismatch of position sensors). In this case, you will need to reset the settings through the service menu.

Care after rearrangement: what to check in the first days

Even if everything went smoothly, you need to carefully monitor the operation of the refrigerator for the first 3-5 days. Here's what to pay attention to:

First 24 hours:

• 🌡️ Monitor the temperature in the chambers (should stabilize in 4-6 hours).
• 🔊 Listen to the compressor - it should not work continuously.
• 💧 Check if the door joints are sweating (a sign of a broken seal).

After 3 days:

• 🧊 Assess the amount of ice (if there is more of it, the seal is letting air through).
• 🔋 Check the power consumption (a sharp increase indicates that the door is skewed).
• 🔄 Make sure that the door does not sag (if so, tighten the hinges).

If you notice problems, do not delay repairs! For example, constantly running compressor due to loose closing of the door, it can fail within a month. A condensation on the seal leads to mold and unpleasant odor.

For prevention:

• 🧴 Once every 3 months lubricate the hinges with silicone grease.
• 🧼 Once every six months, wash the seal with warm soda solution.
• 🔧 Once a year, check the tightness of the bolts (they can become loose from vibration).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to re-hang the doors of a refrigerator with a dispenser yourself?

Theoretically, yes, but it is difficult. You will need:

1. Move the water supply tube (it is usually secured with clips inside the housing).
2. Reconnect the electrical connector of the dispenser (watch the polarity!).
3. Adjust the position of the ice maker button.

B models Samsung s Family Hub you also need to reconfigure the touch screen through the service menu. If you are not sure, it is better to call a specialist.

What to do if after rearranging the door does not close tightly?

There may be several reasons:

• 🔧 Distortion of the hinges - loosen the bolts and level the door.
• 🧲 Worn seal —try heating it with a hair dryer or replace it.
• 🔩 Torn thread —use larger diameter bolts or insert metal bushings.
• 🏗️ Uneven floor —level the refrigerator using adjustable legs.

If the problem remains, check magnetic tape inside the seal. Over time, it loses strength and needs to be replaced.

How long does it take to rearrange the doors?

Time depends on the model:

• 🕒 Regular single-chamber refrigerator: 1–1.5 hours.
• 🕒 Two-chamber without dispenser: 1.5–2.5 hours.
• 🕒 Side-by-Side or with an ice maker: 3–4 hours (it is better to split into two days).

If you need to drill new holes, add another 30-40 minutes. Take your time: haste leads to mistakes!

Is it possible to reverse the doors on a refrigerator with the NoFrost system?

Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ In most models (Atlant, Beko) this does not affect the operation systems.
• ⚠️ In refrigerators with external evaporator (for example, Indesit NF 5201) may be required refilling freonas the load on the compressor changes.
• ❌ In models with fan in the door (for example, some Samsung), rearrangement is officially prohibited - this disrupts air circulation.

Before work, check the section in the instructions "Technical limitations".

What tools are needed for a Stinol brand refrigerator?

For Stinol (and similar Indesit, Ariston) you will need:

• 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (PH2).
• 🔧 Flat screwdriver (for removing plugs).
• 🔨 5 mm hexagon (for the bottom hinge).
• 🧲 Magnet (so as not to lose the spring washers).

Feature: in these models the bottom hinge is attached through a metal plate, which is easy to bend during careless dismantling. Be careful!