Thanks to appliances like the refrigerator and freezer, your food can last as long as you need it to, whether it’s for eating or cooking purposes. The inner workings of the refrigerator are what help preserve the food for as long as possible. As a result, it can be quite troubling when you’re dealing with a refrigerator door not sealing. When this happens, it could be a sign of any number of problems. Before you call a professional for help, read this blog to learn how to troubleshoot a refrigerator door not sealing.

How To Troubleshoot A Refrigerator Door Not Sealing

It can be frustrating to have a refrigerator door not sealing, but you can easily get to the bottom of the situation. Read more about the following troubleshooting tips for a refrigerator door not sealing, and return your fridge to working condition.

1. Rearrange Items And Shelves In The Refrigerator

One reason you might be dealing with a refrigerator door not sealing could be the way items and shelves are currently arranged on the inside. That’s why the first troubleshooting tip is to rearrange the items and shelves in your refrigerator. There’s a possibility that some items are positioned in a way that keeps the door from completely closing. You also want to check how your shelves are aligned. You might need to empty your fridge, realign the shelves, then put all items back inside in a way that won’t interfere with the door’s closure.

2. Clean And Lubricate The Door Gasket

Sometimes, the cause of a refrigerator door not sealing is simply dirt and debris covering the gasket. In this case, you’ll want to clean the door gasket. If necessary, you might also want to lubricate it so the door seals more easily. Gently clean the gasket seal using warm and soapy water on a dishrag. After cleaning, dab some Vaseline or petroleum jelly over the gasket, but be careful not to overdo it.

3. Reattach The Gasket Seal

It’s worth considering the possibility that the gasket seal is too loose, so you’ll need to reattach it to the refrigerator door. However, the ability to reattach the seal depends on what adhesive was used in the first place, but you should be able to push the seal back into place if that’s all it needs. Knowing the make and model of your fridge will help you determine the extent to which reattachment is possible.

4. Tighten The Door Hinges

Another reason why you might have a refrigerator door not sealing is because of a loose door hinge. To tighten the hinge, you’ll need to remove any plastic covering it, then follow your user manual to correctly follow this process. Every fridge is different, so consulting the user manual is essential.

5. Ensure The Refrigerator Is Level

An uneven refrigerator can also keep its door from properly closing. Check to see if the floor is even or if the refrigerator’s feet are balanced. If you find that your refrigerator is off-balance, turn it off and disconnect it from the power source before proceeding to readjust its balance, for which you’ll need the user manual. You might also find that there’s something stuck under the refrigerator’s feet that’s throwing it off-balance. Hopefully, this troubleshooting tip will allow your fridge to open and close all the way once more.

6. Call A Professional To Replace The Gasket And Other Damaged Parts

If you’ve exhausted all these troubleshooting methods and you still have a refrigerator door not sealing, it’s time to call a professional. An appliance technician will be able to replace the gasket and other damaged parts that are keeping your fridge from closing. If you happen to live in Weston, just contact our team at Appliance Repair Weston to get your fridge back in working order.