The situation when, after purchasing new equipment, it turns out that the refrigerator door opens in the wrong direction is familiar to many. This creates inconvenience in the kitchen layout, interferes with the passage or does not allow full use of the countertop workspace. Fortunately, most modern models LG, Bosch, Indesit and other brands provide the ability to change the opening side.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist and can be done independently if you are careful and follow the correct sequence of actions. Reversing the door is a technically simple operation that takes from 15 to 40 minutes depending on the design of a particular model. The main thing is to take your time and prepare the necessary tools in advance.
In this article we will look in detail at how to unfold a refrigerator door, what to pay attention to when working with hinges and how to avoid common mistakes. We will look at the features of various types of fastenings and give recommendations for final adjustment.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
Before you start work, you need to clear the space around the refrigerator. You will need access to the device from all sides, as you will have to walk around it while carrying heavy items. Remove the rug, move the chairs away, and make sure the floor is not slippery.
You will need a basic set of tools to complete the task. Usually, the hexagon sockets that come with the equipment or standard open-end wrenches are sufficient. In some cases, a flathead or Phillips-head screwdriver may be required.
- 🔧 A set of wrenches or an adjustable wrench for unscrewing the hinge bolts.
- 🪛 Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) for dismantling decorative panels.
- 🧤 Construction gloves to protect hands from sharp metal edges.
- 📦 An assistant who will help hold the door during removal (it weighs a lot).
It is important to determine in advance the type of hinge fastening. In some models they are hidden under decorative plugs, in others they are immediately visible. Study the instructions for your Samsung or Atlantto understand the specifics of the design.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Remove the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of a short circuit or accidental activation of the compressor during manipulations.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Dismantling the top part and removing the door
The first step is always removing the top cover of the refrigerator or the decorative panel hiding the top loop. In models with a top freezer, it is often necessary to remove the housing cover itself. In two-chamber refrigerators Haier or Stinol it is enough to remove the plastic cover.
After gaining access to the top hinge, do not rush to unscrew it completely. The refrigerator door is heavy, and if you remove the fastener, it may fall, damaging the floor or causing a dent. Have an assistant hold the door firmly.
Carefully unscrew the bolts securing the top hinge. If the hinges are composite, the upper part is removed first. The door can then be carefully lifted and removed from the bottom pin. Place the door in a safe place, it is best to place it on a soft cloth or cardboard face up.
What to do if the bolts are rusty?
If the fasteners have become sour and will not unscrew, do not use excessive force so as not to strip the threads. Treat the joint with a penetrating lubricant (such as WD-40) and leave for 10-15 minutes. After this, the attempt can be repeated.
It is better to immediately free the removed door from all shelves and drawers. This will reduce its weight and prevent glass elements from falling out during further manipulations with the fittings.
Flipping the lower support and moving the fittings
The most critical stage is working with the lower supporting part. This is where difficulties often arise, as the design may vary depending on the brand. Refrigerators Liebherr i Candy often require rearranging the pin or rotary sleeve.
You need to find a plug on the opposite side of the case where the hinge will be moved. This is usually a plastic or metal stopper. Carefully remove it and install it in the place where the loop was originally. This will maintain symmetry and a neat appearance.
- 🔄 Remove the rotation axis from the bottom hole and insert it into a symmetrical hole on the other side.
- 🔩 Rearrange the door opening limiter, if provided by the design of your model.
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the threaded holes before screwing in new bolts.
Some models require turning over the door handle itself or rearranging the magnetic lock. If the handle is not removable, you may need to remove the entire front panel of the door to gain access to the internal fasteners.
Installing the door on a new side
After preparing the lower support, you can begin installing the door. Lift the door and carefully slide it onto the bottom pin. Make sure that it is level and fits tightly to the body.
Now you need to install the top hinge in a new place. Insert the bolts into the holes and start tightening them, but do not tighten them all the way yet. This will allow you to align the position of the door relative to the body.
Having secured the upper part, check the smoothness of movement. The door should not touch the body or sealing rubber. If everything is in order, you can finally tighten all the fasteners with a wrench.
For models with the system No Frost it is important to make sure that when turning the door over, the wires going to the display or light bulb on the door are not pinched. If the wires are short, they may need to be carefully repositioned.
Adjusting clearances and tightness
After installation, adjustments are often required to ensure a tight seal. A loose door seal will lead to ice freezing and increased energy consumption. Check how the magnetic seal works around the entire perimeter.
In many modern refrigerators Whirlpool or Beko the door height is adjusted using screws in the bottom hinge. By rotating them, you can raise or lower the corner of the door, achieving perfect alignment.
| Problem | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Door does not close all the way | Distortion body or floor | Adjust the support legs of the refrigerator |
| Strong gap at the top | The upper hinge is not tight enough | Loosen and re-tighten the upper bolts |
| The door itself opens | The floor is tilted in the other direction | Unscrew the front legs to tilt back |
| It is difficult to open the door | The hinges are too tight | Slightly loosen the fasteners of the top hinges |
Pay attention to the angle of inclination of the refrigerator itself. For proper gravity closing, the body must be tilted slightly backwards. This is adjusted by unscrewing the front support legs.
Features of models with a display and a freshness chamber
Owners of advanced models with screen on the door or zone Fresh Zone you need to be especially careful. When the door is turned over, reconnection of the cables is often required.
First disconnect the wire connectors before removing the door. When installing on a new side, make sure the cable is long enough to make a tension-free connection. In some cases, it is necessary to re-arrange the wiring harness inside the housing.
If there is a display on the door, check its functionality after connecting. Sometimes it is necessary to reset the refrigerator settings through the menu or disconnect it from the network for a few minutes so that the control system correctly determines the configuration.
⚠️ Attention: The design of the hinges and the location of the wires may vary even within the same brand. Always check the technical documentation of a specific model, since there is no universal scheme.
Do not forget that after moving the door, it may take some time to stabilize the temperature inside the chambers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to unfold the door if the refrigerator built-in?
With built-in equipment, everything is more complicated. Often it is necessary to dismantle the facade of the kitchen unit. Make sure that the cabinet design allows the door to be re-hung and that the furniture's hinges can also be rearranged. In some cases, this is not possible without remodeling the furniture.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before rehanging it?
Full defrosting is not necessary if you work quickly. However, if the refrigerator is old and there is ice in the hinges, it is better to let it stand unplugged for a couple of hours so that the metal becomes more ductile and does not crack under load.
What to do if there is an extra bolt left after turning over?
Carefully inspect the instructions. Often the kit comes with special plugs or additional washers that need to be used instead of bolts. If it is the mounting bolt that remains, it is possible that the hinge is not installed completely or the wrong configuration is used.
Does re-hanging the door affect the warranty?
Re-hanging the door yourself, as a rule, is not a warranty case if you have not damaged the equipment in the process. However, if you strip threads or break glass, warranty service may be suspended. Proceed with caution.