The situation when the refrigerator has to be moved to another corner of the kitchen arises quite often, especially when planning renovations or buying new furniture. However, the standard configuration, in which the door opens to the right, can become a serious obstacle, blocking passage or preventing adjacent cabinets from opening. Fortunately, most models Samsung are designed with this possibility in mind and allow you to change the direction the door opens. This procedure does not require calling a technician, but it is critical for correct positioning of the unit in space.
Before starting work, you must clearly understand that you are dealing with a heavy and complex household appliance that requires careful handling. Improper execution of actions can lead to damage hinges, deformation of the case, or even a leak in the cooling system. In this article, we will analyze in detail each stage of the process, paying special attention to the nuances that are specific to the equipment of the Korean brand.
You will have to work with metal fasteners and plastic plugs that require accuracy. The main rule is not to rush and strictly follow the sequence of operations to avoid unnecessary problems. If you are ready to allocate about an hour of time and prepare the necessary tool, then the task of reversing the door will be solved successfully.
The process of changing the opening side is not just a mechanical rearrangement of the fittings, but a comprehensive adjustment of the position of the door leaf. It is important to consider that in some modern models with a system Door-in-Door or screens on the front panel, the procedure may have its own characteristics. Always check the passport of your device if you doubt the availability of specific fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network! Working with live electrical appliances is prohibited by safety rules.
To complete the task, you will need a basic set of tools that can be found in the arsenal of any home craftsman. The absence of the required key can lead to the edges of the bolts breaking off, which will significantly complicate the dismantling process. Prepare in advance flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, as well as an open-end wrench, the size of which is usually 8 or 10 mm, depending on the model.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Quality preparation is the key to the success and safety of your flooring. The refrigerator is a large unit, and its movement requires free space for maneuver. Move the device away from the wall so that you can freely walk around it on all sides, providing access to the back and side panels.
Be sure to clear the door shelves and the main chamber of food. This will not only make the design easier, but will also protect food from spoilage while the refrigerator is turned off. Empty shelves are also easier to remove if you need to temporarily remove them to access fasteners.
To avoid scratching the floor or damaging the legs of the refrigerator, place thick cardboard, an old blanket or special mounting film underneath it. This is especially true for laminate and parquet, which are sensitive to mechanical friction. If you have an assistant, call him - working with heavy doors together is much safer.
- 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (PH2) for case screws.
- 🔧 Flat-head screwdriver for removing decorative caps.
- 🔧 Open-end wrench (usually 8 mm or 10 mm) for hinges.
- 🔧 Building level to check horizontality.
Make sure you have a container on hand for storing screws and bolts. Small parts tend to get lost at the most inopportune moment, and finding replacements for specific screws Samsung can take a lot of time. You can use a magnetic tray or just a jar, which will allow you to keep all the fasteners in one place.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use tools with damaged handles or sharpened tips. This can lead to injury to your hands or damage to the screw heads, after which it will be extremely difficult to unscrew them.
Check the lighting in the work area. The shadow from the refrigerator body can hide small but important fastening parts. If there is not enough natural light, use a portable lamp or flashlight to clearly see the mounting points.
Removing the Top and Bottom Panels
The first step in the rehanging process is to remove the top cover of the refrigerator. It is under it that the main attachment points of the upper hinge are often hidden. In some models Samsung the cover can be fixed not only with screws, but also with plastic latches that require careful handling.
Find the screws holding the top panel. They can be located at the front, at the back, or even hidden under decorative caps on the sides. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry up the plastic caps, if any, and remove the exposed screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
After removing all the screws, do not pull the cover sharply upward. Try moving it back or forward slightly to disengage the guides. In models with the system air circulation there may be a fan under the cover, so act carefully so as not to damage the wires.
Nuances of removing the top cover in different series
In some models of the Side-by-Side series, the top panel can be divided into two parts or have additional fastenings in the freezer area. If the cover does not come off after unscrewing the visible screws, check for hidden fasteners in the niche above the door.
Now let's turn our attention to the lower part. In most cases, the bottom panel (plinth) also requires dismantling or loosening in order to gain access to the bottom hinge or simply for ease of moving the unit. The removal principle is similar: unscrew the screws and carefully remove the panel.
Immediately sort all removed screws and plugs. The screws from the top cover may be different in length from the hinge screws, and mixing them up may damage the threads or the housing during reassembly. Marking parts is a sign of professionalism even at home.
Removing the door and dismantling the hinges
The most critical stage is the direct removal of the door. The refrigerator door Samsung weighs a lot, so at this stage the presence of a second person is strictly necessary. One person should hold the door while the other unscrews the top hinge mounting bolts.
Use an open-end wrench to remove the bolts securing the top hinge to the refrigerator body. After the bolts are removed, carefully remove the hinge. Now the door is only held in place by the bottom hinge (or magnetic lock, depending on the model), but it is no longer secured at the top.
Gently lift the door up to remove it from the bottom pin. The movement should be vertical, without distortion, so as not to damage the sealing rubber or hinge pin. Place the removed door on a prepared soft surface (blanket or cardboard) with the outer side down.
- 🚪 Remove the door handle if it interferes with access to the hinges (in some models).
- 🚪 Unscrew the mating part of the hinge that remains on the door itself.
- 🚪 Save all the gaskets and washers, they will be needed when installing on the other side.
If your refrigerator is two-door (Side-by-Side), then first remove the right door, then the left, or vice versa, depending on the design of the hinges. In such models there is often a central hinge, which will also need to be dismantled or rearranged.
Pay attention to the condition seal. While the door is removed, inspect the rubber seal around the perimeter. If there is dirt on it, wipe it with a soft cloth. This is also a good time to check if there are any dents on the door that could interfere with a tight closure.
Moving the fittings to the opposite side
Now you need to prepare the holes on the opposite side of the body. On the front panel of the refrigerator Samsung usually there are already technological holes covered with plastic plugs. Find them on the side where you plan to hang the door.
Carefully remove the plugs from the holes using a flat-head screwdriver. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic. These plugs will need to be installed in the vacated holes on the side where the door was previously located.
☑️ Checking readiness for installation
Rearrange the hinges on the door. Those holes that were used on one side should now be used on the other. The refrigerator often comes with additional screws or bushings specifically for rehanging; check the instructions for their presence.
If your model has one installed magnetic latch (in some models it is located on the top or side), it also needs to be rearranged. Usually, to do this, it is enough to unscrew one screw and move the mechanism to a symmetrical hole on the opposite side.
Make sure that all rearranged elements fit tightly and do not dangle. Play in the hinge fastenings will result in the door not closing tightly or becoming warped over time. If necessary, tighten the screws, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the threads in the aluminum door body.
Installing the door and final adjustment
After the hinges have been rearranged on the door and the plugs have been repositioned on the body, you can begin installation. Insert the bottom hinge pin into the corresponding hole on the refrigerator body. Place the door on the pin, controlling the vertical position.
Now you need to fix the upper part. Hold the door, install the top hinge in place and tighten the bolts. Do not clamp them all the way right away - first you need to set the door to the correct position. The gaps between the door and the body must be uniform over the entire height.
| Parameter | Normal value | Action when deflected |
|---|---|---|
| Gap at top | 2-4 mm | Lower/raise the adjusting pin |
| Gap from below | 2-4 mm | Check installation on the floor |
| Tight fit | Uniform | Adjusting the tilt of the body |
| Door stroke | Free | Lubricate the hinges or check the floor |
For precise adjustment of the door height, it is often used front adjustable support leg of the refrigerator. By turning it with a key or manually (depending on the model), you can raise or lower the corner of the case, achieving the ideal gap.
After final fixation of all bolts, check the operation of the door. It should open smoothly, without squeaks or jams, and when released in the half-open position (about 30-40 degrees), it should be brought to close itself (if there is an automatic closer system) or fit tightly with a magnet.
Features of models with the Door-in-Door system
For refrigerator owners Samsung with the system Door-in-Door (door to door) you should be especially careful. In such models, the process of rehanging the main door may require preliminary dismantling of the outer leaf.
The outer panel is attached to separate hinges or latches. If you try to remove the main door without first disassembling the door-in-door structure, you may damage the window opening mechanism or plastic rods.
Carefully study the fastening diagram in the instructions for your specific model. Often, to access the main hinges, it is necessary to remove the decorative trim, which is absent in conventional models. Also pay attention to the backlight wires, if it is provided in the panel.
⚠️ Attention: In models with touch screens on the door (Family Hub), it is strictly not recommended to rehang it yourself without the appropriate experience, since there is a high risk of damage to the display cables.
If you notice that after rehanging the external the sash Door-in-Door began to touch the main door, it is necessary to carry out additional adjustment of the gaps between the two layers of doors. This is done by tightening special adjusting screws on the hinges of the inner door.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, you may encounter difficulties. One of the most common mistakes is not tightening the top hinge bolts enough. Over time, the weight of the door weakens the fastenings, and the door warps, no longer closing tightly.
Another mistake is losing or mixing up the plugs. If you lose the plastic plug, do not leave the hole open, as dust and moisture may get in there. As a last resort, you can use a piece of plastic of a suitable color, cut out carefully.
If after installation the door does not close completely, check the tilt level of the refrigerator. It should be slightly tilted back. If the legs are twisted too much or, conversely, the refrigerator is tilted forward, gravity will prevent it from closing tightly.
- ❌ Do not ignore the creaking of the hinges - lubricate them with a special lubricant for refrigerators.
- ❌ Do not leave the refrigerator on immediately - let the oils in the compressor settle (although if the tilt is reversed, more than 45 degrees usually does not occur, 30 minutes of rest will not hurt).
- ❌ Do not use force if the part does not work - it means you are doing something wrong or did not remove the latch.
Check the operation of limit switch (buttons or magnet), which signals the opening of the door. If, when re-hanging, you hit the backlight wiring or the limit switch itself, the refrigerator may “think” that the door is open and will not cool or start beeping.
What to do if the hinge screws are rusty?
If the screws cannot be removed due to corrosion, do not use excessive force to avoid tearing off the cap. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 15-20 minutes. After that, try again. If the head still breaks off, use a screw extractor or carefully drill out the remaining pieces.
Is it possible to rehang the door without removing the contents?
Theoretically, it is possible if the door is not too heavy and you are in good physical shape. However, we strongly do not recommend doing this. Excess weight increases the risk of dropping the door or damaging the floor, and food can spill out if you move it carelessly.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Complete defrosting is not necessary if you do not plan to tilt the refrigerator much. However, if the model is old and requires defrosting, it is better to do this in advance so that water does not flow inside the body when manipulating the tilt.
Why did the door become harder to close after rehanging?
This may be due to incorrect height adjustment. If the door is skewed, it touches the frame. Also check that the seal in the corner is not twisted. In new refrigerators, the door may close tightly for the first few days, until the hinges develop and the rubber straightens out.
Will the warranty remain after re-hanging it yourself?
According to the legislation and rules of most service centers Samsung, re-hanging the door yourself is not grounds for voiding the warranty if the unit components were not damaged during the process. However, if you break the hinge or the body, the repair will be paid.