Rearranging furniture in the kitchen often poses unexpected challenges for owners of household appliances. It happens that a refrigerator, purchased without taking into account the layout, blocks the passage or its door rests against the wall, preventing the drawers from being fully opened. In such a situation, the question arises as to whether it is possible to change the opening direction of the doors.
Fortunately, most modern models from leading manufacturers, such as Indesit, Beko, LG and Atlant, provide the possibility of reversing the doors. This process does not require calling a specialist if you have minimal skills in handling tools and strictly follow the sequence of actions.
However, it is worth considering that the design of the unit may have its own characteristics. Re-hanging doors is a procedure that requires care, since careless handling of hinges or fittings can disrupt the tightness of the chamber. Before starting work, it is important to make sure that your model technically allows for such an upgrade.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
The success of the operation directly depends on proper preparation. You don't need complex professional tools, but you should have reliable tools at hand. The main work will be done screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different attachments, since the types of screws may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
In addition to the main tool, you will need pliers to remove the plugs and masking tape. The adhesive tape is necessary to secure the door during dismantling, which will prevent it from falling and being damaged. It is also worth preparing a soft cloth or cardboard to cover the floor and not scratch the flooring or the unit itself.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat) or a screwdriver with bits.
- 🔩 A 10 mm wrench or socket (often required for models Indesit i Ariston).
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 🧼 Masking tape and soft rags.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the socket to avoid the risk of electric shock when working with metal elements of the structure.
Free up space around the refrigerator. You will need access to the unit from all sides. Remove all food and shelves that may fall out when tilting the case or removing the doors.
Design analysis and removal of the top panel
The first stage is to examine the top of the refrigerator compartment. This is where the main hinge that holds the weight of the door is most often attached. In some models, for example, in many refrigerators Stinol or older models, a decorative panel or visor may be located on top. Zil, there may be a decorative panel or visor on top.
To remove the top cover, it is usually enough to unscrew two or four self-tapping screws located around the perimeter or under the decorative plugs. Be careful not to damage the plastic. If the panel is tight, do not use excessive force - you may have forgotten to remove a hidden screw.
After removing the cover, the top hinge will be revealed to your attention. Be sure to secure the door in the closed position. Use masking tape or ask an assistant to hold the door so that it does not fall on your feet or on the floor.
Unscrew the screws securing the hinge to the refrigerator body. Keep all the fasteners in a separate container so that they do not get lost. Set the removed hinge aside for now - you will need it later, but on the other side. case.
Dismantling the door and rearranging the fittings
The most crucial moment is removing the door itself. When the upper hinge is unscrewed and the door is fixed, you can carefully lift it and remove it from the lower axis. Be careful: the doors of modern refrigerators, especially those with the No Frostsystem, can be damaged. heavy due to the built-in mechanisms and seals.
After the door is removed, we proceed to rearranging the handles and plugs. On the front of the door, on the side where the handle was previously, you will see holes closed with plastic plugs. They must be carefully removed with a knife or a thin screwdriver.
- 🚪 Remove. the handle, if it is attached to screws, and move it to the opposite side.
- 🕳️ Remove the plugs from the new holes for the handle and install them in the old, vacant places.
- 🔩 Check the threaded holes: sometimes they have bushings installed in them, which also need to be rearranged.
⚠️ Attention: Do not lose the rubber bushings or washers that may be located under the plugs. They ensure a tight fit and no vibration of the handle.
Now pay attention to the door itself In some models, for example, in two-chamber refrigerators Samsung or Haier, the lower hinge pin may need to be repositioned. To do this, remove the bottom plastic plug at the end of the door, remove the pin and install it in a symmetrical hole on the other side.
What to do if the handle cannot be removed?
In some models of refrigerators (for example, certain series Bosch) the handles may be permanent or attached to hidden latches. Carefully inspect the end of the door. If there are no screws, the handle may be part of the design and does not require relocation, or it needs to be moved to the side after loosening the hidden fasteners.
Installing the bottom hinge and hanging the door
The bottom of the refrigerator is often hidden by a base grille or decorative panel. It must be removed to gain access to the lower fastening unit. It is usually held on by latches or magnets, so you just need to pull it towards you or slide it up.
Under the panel you will see the lower hinge. It must be moved to the opposite side. To do this, unscrew the fastening bolts holding the axle and move the metal plate to the opposite side. prepared symmetrical hole on the other side. Tighten the bolts, but do not apply maximum force yet - the final adjustment will happen later.
Now you can hang the door. Carefully lower the door onto the installed lower axis, making sure that the pin fits into the hole. After this, attach the upper hinge to the body on the new side and do not tighten them all the way right away. adjust the position of the door.
| Work stage | Tool | Features for different brands |
|---|---|---|
| Removing the top cover | Phillips screwdriver | U LG often hidden screws under the decor |
| Removing the hinge | 10 mm key | Indesit requires a key Beko — screwdrivers |
| Repositioning the pin | Pliers | Important for models with a magnetic lock |
| Final tightening | Screwdriver | Control the force so as not to break the thread |
After installing the top hinge, finally tighten all the fasteners. Make sure that the door is level and not warped, if everything is done correctly, it should close tightly, without gaps, and the magnetic seal should fit evenly to the body along the entire perimeter.
☑️ Checklist after installation
Adjusting the position and eliminating distortions
Often after rehanging, owners are faced with the fact that the door does not close tightly or, conversely, too tightly. This is normal and requires adjustment. The main parameter that needs to be checked is the horizontal installation of the refrigerator itself. If the floor is uneven, the door may open spontaneously.
Use a building level to check the position of the unit. Adjust the height of the front legs of the refrigerator by rotating them clockwise or counterclockwise. The correct position is when the body is slightly tilted back. In this case, under the influence of gravity, the door will slam itself if it is opened less than 45 degrees.
If you notice that the upper part of the door protrudes forward or, conversely, is recessed relative to the lower one, you need to loosen the screws of the upper hinge and, raising or lowering the edge, achieve an ideal plane. After this, the screws are tightened again.
Pay special attention to the magnetic seal (elastic band). After turning the door over, it may become deformed. To straighten it, you can use a hair dryer: gently warm the crumpled areas with warm air and straighten it with your fingers. Do not use too hot air so as not to melt the rubber.
Features of models with two doors and the No Frost system
Owners of two-chamber refrigerators, such as Electrolux or Candywill have to repeat the procedure twice: first for the upper chamber, then for the lower one. Usually, the top door is removed first, then the middle one (if there is one), and only then the bottom one.
Models with the system No Frost have a more complex design due to the air supply channels. When hanging such doors, it is critical not to pinch or damage the plastic air ducts that may run inside the door leaf or near the hinges. In some cases, it is necessary to additionally rearrange the plastic cold air damper.
⚠️ Attention: Refrigerators with a “Fresh Zone” system or a zero chamber may have additional sensors and wires going to the door (for example, for a display or lamp). Make sure that the cables are long enough to be re-hanged, or carefully transfer the wiring harnesses into new channels.
For Side-by-Side refrigerators (American type), the procedure is similar, but requires more physical strength due to the size of the doors. It is highly recommended to work together here. Also, in such models, it is often necessary to rearrange not only the hinges, but also the internal mechanisms of locks and opening limiters.
Common errors and their consequences
Inexperienced users often make mistakes that can lead to equipment failure. One of the most common is the loss of fasteners. Small screws and plugs easily roll under the refrigerator or get lost in the carpet. Always use a magnetic tray or jar to collect parts.
Another mistake is overtightening the screws. The aluminum housing or plastic hinge inserts are easily damaged by excessive force. If the thread is torn off, it will be extremely difficult to restore it, and the door will no longer hold. Tighten the screws tightly, but without fanaticism.
- ❌ They forget to remove decorative trims before starting work.
- ❌ They do not fix the door before unscrewing the top hinge, which leads to a fall.
- ❌ They lose washers and bushings necessary for adjustment gaps.
- ❌ They forget to put back the thermal insulating foam in the holes.
It is also important not to forget to install plugs in the vacated holes. Through them, dust, moisture and insects can enter the housing, which is especially dangerous for the electrical components of the compressor located in the lower part at the back.
What to do if the door does not close hermetically after rehanging?
Check whether anything is interfering with the seal. You may have installed the lower hinge pin incorrectly or may not have tightened the top hinge all the way, causing a misalignment. Try loosening the fasteners and rocking the door until it snaps into place, then tighten it again.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to reverse the doors on all models of refrigerators?
No, not on all. Budget models or refrigerators with one chamber and one door may not have symmetrical holes for hinges. In addition, some models with displays on the door or a built-in smart home system may have restrictions on the length of the connecting cables, which makes re-hanging impossible without replacing the wiring. Always check the instructions for your model Haier, LG or another brand.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Yes, it is recommended to do this. Although there is no direct connection between defrosting and hinges, an empty and defrosted refrigerator is easier to move, tilt and transport. In addition, you will protect the products from damage if the process drags on, and you will be able to calmly work around the equipment without fear of splashing water.
What to do if after rehanging there is a large gap left?
If adjusting the tilt of the body and loosening the fasteners did not help, check the integrity of the seal itself. It may have stretched or torn during dismantling. In rare cases, it may be necessary to replace the sealing rubber with a new one, adapted for reverse opening, although most often it is enough to just warm up and straighten the old one.
Will the warranty remain valid after re-hanging yourself?
In most cases, the warranty is maintained, since re-hanging the doors is provided for by the design and manufacturer's instructions. However, if in the process you break the thread, break the glass of the shelf or damage the case, the service center may refuse free repairs. Proceed carefully and save all removed parts.