Necessity changing the direction of opening the refrigerator doors Samsung often occurs when remodeling the kitchen or moving to a new apartment. Owners of models with a display Digital Inverter face additional difficulties associated with the presence of an electronic control panel and a complex wiring system. If a regular door can simply be moved to the other side, then in the case of a “smart” refrigerator, careful disconnection of the cables and careful dismantling of decorative elements is required.
The process of reversing is not trivial and requires a complete understanding of the hinge design and cable layout. Incorrect operation may damage the display or seal the camera, which will affect power consumption. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions, the necessary tools and specific features of working with models Samsung Side-by-Side and two-chamber refrigerators.
Before you begin, make sure that you have enough free space around the unit. You will need to remove all the shelves and drawers from the door to lighten the structure and avoid accidental breakage of glass or plastic. Safety When working with electrical appliances, this is the first rule, so disconnecting from the network is a mandatory step in preparation.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tools
To successfully complete the door re-hanging procedure, you will need a standard set of tools, which is usually in the arsenal of a home craftsman. The main tool will be hex wrench (usually 4 mm or 5 mm in size), since most fastenings in technology Samsung are made specifically for it. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver to remove decorative plugs or additional screws.
Particular attention should be paid to organizing the workspace. The refrigerator must be stable, and there must be clearance between the top of the refrigerator and the ceiling or kitchen cabinets to allow the doors to lift without obstruction. If the model is equipped with a system Water & Ice, you must also prepare a container to drain the remaining water from the tubes so as not to flood the floor.
- 🛠️ A set of hex keys (metric, not inch).
- 🔧 A medium-sized Phillips screwdriver for the case screws.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧹 Clean rags or a towel to place under the removed parts.
It is important to check the equipment of your refrigerator in advance for the presence of spare plugs for the holes that form on the side of the hinges after rearrangement. In some models Samsung these plugs come complete with instructions, while in others you need to look for them in the niche for vegetables or the freezer.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with a device connected to an outlet with the control panels removed may result in a short circuit or electric shock.
Removing the top panel and access to the electronics
The first stage of working with a refrigerator equipped with a display is to remove the top decorative cover. It is under it that the main fastenings of the upper hinge and the connectors of the wires going to the control panel are hidden. In models Samsung the cover is often secured with latches and screws located on the back or side.
Carefully remove the plastic panel, being careful not to damage the plastic clips. If the panel is tight, do not apply excessive force - inspect the perimeter for hidden screws. After removing the cover, you will see circuit board the wiring harnesses connecting the display to the main control unit of the refrigerator.
To disconnect the wires, you need to find the connectors. They can be protected with plastic latches. Press the latch and smoothly pull the connector towards you. Under no circumstances pull on the wires themselves, as this may cause them to break at the base of the contact. All disconnected cables should be carefully moved to the side so that they do not interfere with further work.
What to do if the connector does not come off?
If the connector does not budge, check whether you forgot to unlatch the locking mechanism. Sometimes a slight rocking from side to side is required, but this must be done extremely carefully so as not to break the plastic “ears” of the connector.
After freeing the wires, you can begin to unscrew the bolts of the upper loop. Use a hex wrench of the appropriate size. The bolts can be quite tight, so make sure the tool fits snugly in the head of the screw so as not to tear off the edges.
Removing the display door and bottom hinge
When the top hinge is released, the most critical moment comes - removing the door. Since the refrigerator door Samsung with a display has significant weight and a displaced center of gravity, it is better to perform this operation together. One person holds the door, and the second finally unscrews the mounting bolts.
After removing the top hinge, carefully lift the door up to remove its pin from the bottom hinge. When lifting, make sure that the wires, if they are not yet completely disconnected, are not strained. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface (such as a blanket or cardboard) with the outside side down.
- ❄️ Remove all shelves and containers from the door to reduce weight.
- 🔌 Disconnect all electrical connectors before completely removing the door.
- 📏 Measure the distance to the walls to make sure it is easy to open after overweight.
Next you need to dismantle the bottom hinge. In some models Samsung it can be integrated into the case or attached to the base panel. If you have a model Side-by-Sidethen the procedure is repeated for the second door, but the procedure may differ depending on the design of the specific series.
⚠️ Attention: Do not place the removed door on the display or handles. The surface of the door should lie on a soft cloth to avoid scratches on the glossy finish or chips on the display glass.
Now that the door has been removed, you can begin rearranging the handles and plugs. On many models, the handles are asymmetrical or have hidden fasteners that need to be moved to the new side. Use the supplied plugs to cover the holes on the old side of the hinge.
☑️ Door removal steps
Installing the hinges and mounting the door on the new side
Installing the door on the new side begins with installing the bottom hinge. The refrigerator body Samsung usually has threaded holes on both sides. Screw the bottom hinge pin into the corresponding holes on the new side and securely secure it with the bolts.
Then install the door on the bottom hinge, aligning the hole in the end of the door with the pin. This action is also best performed with an assistant. While holding the door in a vertical position, make sure that it is level and does not fall down. Now you can begin installing the top hinge.
The top hinge is installed in the prepared holes on the opposite side of the case. It is important to correctly align all the holes, since a misalignment of even one millimeter can lead to a loose door fit or difficult movement. Screw in the upper hinge bolts, but do not tighten them all the way yet.
| Element | Action | Tool | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower hinge | Repositioning to new side | Hexagon | Check the presence of bushings |
| Upper hinge | Installation after installing the door | Hexagon | Do not tighten immediately |
| Display | Connecting cables | Hands | Until it clicks latch |
| Cover decor | Installation at the end | Screwdriver | Watch the latches |
After installing the top hinge and preliminary fixing the bolts, you need to check the installation geometry. The door should close tightly, without gaps, and the magnetic seal should evenly adhere to the body around the entire perimeter.
Connecting the display cables and checking operation
The most critical stage for models with a display is connecting the electrical circuits. The wires that you disconnected at the beginning now need to be connected to the corresponding connectors on the new side. Pay attention to the markings or color coding of the connectors so as not to confuse them.
Insert the connectors until you hear a characteristic click. Make sure that the wires are not pinched by the metal parts of the hinge or the refrigerator body when closing the door. Insulation The wires should be intact, without signs of kinks or damage.
After connecting all communications, you can temporarily turn on the refrigerator to the network to check the operation of the display. If the screen lights up and shows the correct temperature, it means the connection is correct. If the display does not respond or shows an error, check the tightness of the connectors.
⚠️ Attention: If after connecting the display does not light up, do not rush to disassemble everything again. Wait 5-10 minutes. Some models Samsung require time to initialize the system after turning off the power.
After making sure that the electronics are working, finally tighten all the hinge bolts. Check that the door opens and closes smoothly, without creaking or jamming. Replace the top decorative cover by snapping all the latches.
Adjusting the gaps and final settings
The last step is to adjust the position of the door. If you notice that one side of the door is higher or lower than the other, this can be corrected. The design of refrigerator hinges Samsung often provides the ability to adjust the height using spacers or rotating adjusting screws.
Check the tightness of the magnetic seal. To do this, you can use a simple test with a sheet of paper: clamp the sheet between the door and the body in different places. If the sheet is removed too easily or, conversely, with great difficulty, adjustment is required.
- 📏 Check the gaps between the doors (for Side-by-Side models).
- 🧊 Make sure that the light in the chamber comes on when closing (if there is one).
- 🔊 Listen to absence of extraneous sounds when the compressor operates after overweight.
Restore the internal filling of the refrigerator: install shelves, drawers and containers. Let the refrigerator run idle for about 2-3 hours before loading food, so that the temperature regime stabilizes.
What to do if, after overweight, the door does not close completely?
Most likely, the geometry of the loop installation is broken or the wires are in the way. Loosen the top hinge bolts, press the door firmly against the frame, and retighten the fasteners. Also check to see if the edge of the shelf is against the wall of the chamber.
Is it possible to lose the warranty if you overweight the doors yourself?
The overweight of the doors itself is not a reason to deny the warranty if you have not damaged the body, stripped threads or damaged electrical components. However, if the plastic latches are broken during disassembly, the service center may regard this as mechanical damage.
Do you need to wait after turning on the refrigerator?
Yes, after transportation and any work related to tilting or moving the unit, it is recommended to let the refrigerator stand turned off for 2-4 hours. This is necessary for the oil to drain into the compressor.