Change kitchen layouts or simply the desire to make the space more ergonomic often require rearranging large household appliances. Owners of refrigerators LG are faced with a situation where the standard opening of the door on the right becomes inconvenient due to the location of the furniture or doorway. Fortunately, the design of most models of the South Korean brand provides the ability to reversing the doors on the opposite side, which allows you to adapt the equipment to any operating conditions.
This process does not require calling a specialist and special engineering knowledge, but it is highly labor-intensive and requires care. Improper execution of work can lead to damage facade panel, failure of the seal, or even failure of the control system if the electronics are not turned off. Therefore, before starting work, it is important to carefully study the structure of your unit and prepare the necessary tools.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for different types of refrigerators LG, including models with the system No Frost and classic drip defrosting. You will learn how to properly dismantle heavy panels, move fasteners and adjust gaps so that the equipment works silently and efficiently.
Preparation for work: tools and safety measures
Before you begin physical work with door panels, it is necessary to ensure safe working conditions. First of all, you should turn off the refrigerator from the electrical network by removing the plug from the socket. This is a critical step because many modern models run electrical wires through loops to power displays, lamps, or control systems. Ignoring this rule may result in a short circuit or electric shock. LG electrical wires run through loops to power displays, lamps, or control systems. Ignoring this rule may result in a short circuit or electric shock.
Next you need to completely empty the doors of the contents. Shelves, drawers, bottles and food create additional stress, which makes the structure unstable and heavy. Remove all removable parts, including door shelves and interior containers. It is also recommended to pull out all freezer and refrigerator drawers so that they do not interfere with maneuvers.
⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to dismantle the door with food inside. The weight of a full refrigeration compartment can exceed 30-40 kg, which creates a risk of the structure falling on your feet and damaging the floor covering.
To carry out the work, you will need a set of tools. Usually a standard household arsenal is enough, but it is better to prepare everything in advance so as not to look for the right screwdriver in the middle of the process.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (phillips and flat-head) or a screwdriver with the appropriate bits.
- 🔩 Wrenches (often a size of 8, 10 or 13 mm is required, depending on models).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 Assistant for holding heavy door panels.
☑️ Preparation for rehanging
It is also important to free up space around the refrigerator. You need to walk freely around it from all sides. Move the equipment away from the wall at least a meter to have access to the back and side panels.
Design features of LG doors of different models
Refrigerators LG are available in various configurations, and the rehanging procedure can vary significantly depending on the type of device. Understanding the design of your model will help you avoid mistakes and unnecessary steps. The main differences relate to the type of hinges and the presence of an air circulation system air circulation.
In classic two-chamber models, the upper door of the refrigerator compartment is usually attached to two hinges, and the lower (freezer) door is usually attached to one or two. In models Side-by-Side or Door-in-Door the system is much more complicated: there may be additional cables, electronic cables and complex door closer mechanisms. In such cases, the manufacturer's instructions are required to be studied.
Careful with Door-in-Door
Models with the Door-in-Door system have an additional external door. Before removing the main door, it is necessary to dismantle this mechanism, otherwise the plastic guides or latches may be damaged.>
Models with the system deserve special attention. No Frost. They often have an air duct or temperature sensor cable running through the top loop. If you remove the door carelessly, these elements can be damaged, which will lead to a violation of the temperature regime or the appearance of an error on the display.
| Model type | Complexity of work | Features of hinges | Presence of electronics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (Top Freezer) | Low | Standard bolt-on | Often missing |
| Low freezer (Bottom Freezer) | Average | Hidden fasteners | Possible |
| Side-by-Side | High | Reinforced, complex | Required |
| Door-in-Door | Very high | Multi-stage | Required |
If you have a model with a display on the door, be prepared to have to disconnect the connectors. They are usually located on the top of the housing or inside the hinge channel. Do not pull the wires sharply - first find the lock latch.
Removing the upper door of the refrigerator compartment
You should always start the rehanging process from the upper door. This is due to a design feature: the lower door often rests on the floor or has an independent fastening, while the upper one sets the geometry of the entire structure. First, remove the decorative caps from the top panel of the refrigerator. They can be round or rectangular and are simply pryed off with a flat screwdriver or knife.
Under the plugs the bolts for securing the upper hinge are hidden. Use a wrench or screwdriver to remove them. At this stage, you definitely need a second person to hold the door firmly. Once the bolts are loosened, the door must be carefully lifted up to be removed from the lower hinge and set aside in a safe place.
Now you need to remove the upper hinge itself. Unscrew it completely and move it to the opposite side of the case. For this purpose, there are symmetrical threaded holes at the end of the refrigerator, closed with plastic plugs. Remove the plugs from the active side and insert them into the vacated holes on the other side to maintain an aesthetic appearance.
It is important not to lose the fasteners. It is best to place bolts, washers and plugs in a separate container or magnetic tray. Small parts can easily get lost in the grass of the carpet or roll under the refrigerator, which can stop the whole process.
- 🛠️ Remove the decorative panel of the top hinge.
- 🛠️ Loosen the mounting bolts, but do not remove them completely until an assistant takes the door.
- 🛠️ Remove the door from the bottom support and set it aside.
- 🛠️ Move the hinge to the other side using the plug holes.
Re-hanging the bottom door and freezer
After successfully dismantling the upper part, you can begin to the bottom door. In refrigerators LG with a bottom freezer, this element can be quite massive, especially if it is a pull-out unit or a swing door with a glass insert. The principle of operation is similar: we find the fasteners, unscrew them, and remove them.
The lower hinge is often hidden under a decorative base or strip at the bottom of the refrigerator. Carefully remove this element. Sometimes it is held in place by latches that require some force, but it's best to be careful not to break the plastic. Unscrew the bolts of the lower hinge and remove the door leaf.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the door on a new side, make sure that the hinge axis fits correctly into the mounting hole. A misalignment of even a millimeter will result in the door not closing completely or creaking.
If your model provides for rearranging the handle, then now is the time to do it. On older models, the handles could be through, and they had to be unscrewed from inside the door. In modern LG handles are often mounted with screws from the end part or have hidden mounting. Find the holes under the plugs on the side of the door, unscrew the fasteners and move the handle to the other side.
Don't forget about the stops. At the end of the door, which will now become internal, protruding parts of old hinges or stops may remain. They need to be dismantled and moved to the opposite end, which will be external. This will ensure proper fit of the door to the body when closed.
Working with electronics and cables
Modern refrigerators LG are complex electronic devices. If your model is equipped with a door display, control buttons or system Smart Diagnosis, electrical cables will pass through the hinges. Disabling them requires special care.
Usually the connectors are located inside the channel of the top hinge or in a special compartment above the door. To get to them, you may need to remove the entire top cover of the case. Disconnect the connectors by gently pressing the latch (tab) and pulling out the block. Under no circumstances pull on the wires themselves.
When reassembling, make sure that the cable is not pinched or stretched. The wire should lie freely inside the channel. If the cable is stretched, when opening the door it can tear the contacts from the control board, which will lead to expensive repairs.
Check the integrity of the wire insulation. If you notice damage, it must be isolated before reassembly. Contact of wires with the metal body of the refrigerator is unacceptable.
Adjusting gaps and final assembly
After all the doors are installed in new places, the adjustment stage begins. A perfectly flat floor is rare, so the position of the doors must be adjusted using adjusting screws. They are usually located at the bottom of the refrigerator, in the front or back area, and allow the corners of the cabinet to be raised or lowered.
The door should close tightly and be automatically attracted by a magnetic seal when opened about 30-45 degrees. If the door closes on its own at a smaller angle or, conversely, does not close, you need to change the tilt of the body. Also check the horizontal installation using a building level.
Pay attention to the gaps between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. They should be uniform. If the gap is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom (or vice versa), this indicates that the door is skewed. In such cases, sometimes it is necessary to adjust the height of the hinge itself or tighten the fastening bolts in a weakened state.
Install all decorative plugs in place. They not only improve the appearance, but also protect the fasteners from moisture and dust. Plug in the refrigerator and check the operation of all functions: whether the light comes on, whether the fan is spinning, whether there are any errors on the display.
Frequent errors and troubleshooting
Even following the instructions, beginners can make mistakes that will affect the operation of the equipment. One of the most common problems is leaking closure. If, after rehanging, the door does not fit tightly, check whether anything is interfering with the seal (for example, the edge of a shelf or packaging) and whether the stops at the end are installed correctly.
Another problem is creaking and noise when opening. This often indicates that the hinge pin is not centered perfectly or the lubricant has dried out/washed out. In this case, you can lubricate the rubbing parts of the hinges with food-grade silicone or a special lubricant, but not with oil, which can damage the plastic.
- 🚫 The door is skewed: check the adjusting supports at the bottom of the refrigerator.
- 🚫 The door does not hold: the magnetic seal may be dirty or deformed when installation.
- 🚫 Condensation has appeared: check the tightness of the door around the entire perimeter.
If you are faced with a situation where the screws do not fit into the holes, make sure that you are using the correct holes for the selected opening side. On the case LG there are often holes for different configurations, and it is quite easy to confuse them when in a hurry.
What should you do if, after rehanging, the refrigerator hums loudly?
The hum may be associated with vibration of the compressor, which has increased due to a change in the center of gravity or an unstable position. Check that the refrigerator is level on all four legs. Also make sure that the refrigerator does not touch the wall or furniture, as vibration can be transmitted to them and amplified.
Is it possible to change the side of the door on a built-in LG refrigerator?
Yes, on most built-in models this is possible, but the procedure is more complicated. You will have to dismantle the furniture façade, remove the fasteners that connect the refrigerator door to the furniture façade, and only then work with the hinges of the unit itself. Be careful with the weight of the structure.
Do you need to wait before turning it on after re-hanging?
If during the work the refrigerator was not turned over or tilted strongly (more than 40 degrees), then there is no need to wait. If you tilted the body too much to get to the lower mounts, it is recommended to let the equipment stand in a vertical position for 2-4 hours before turning it on, so that the oil in the compressor flows into the crankcase.
How to reposition the handle if there are no holes on the other side?
In some budget or specific models LG the door design may be asymmetrical. If there are no threaded holes for the handle on the reverse side, it means that the manufacturer does not provide for re-hanging the handle. In this case, you can leave the handle as is (if the design allows it) or order a symmetrical door/panel at the service center.
Why does the door not close completely after rearrangement?
Most likely, the problem is in the tilt adjustment. Refrigerator doors are designed to close under the influence of gravity. Make sure the front legs of the refrigerator are pulled out higher than the back legs, creating a backward tilt. Also check that the hinges are not twisted too tightly.