Updated at: 05-09-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

You could have woken up to discover the freezer door open. Your initial inclination could be to investigate whether someone else left it open or whether you just forgot to close it. This leads you to just depart by closing the door. However, red flags should be raised if the same issue keeps cropping again. Consider what might have happened and what you might do to rectify the situation if you were put in it. All possible motivations for your presence here have been analyzed.

Chest, upright, and built-in fridge freezers can all spontaneously open for the following four causes. The following are some of them:

  • There are four possible reasons why a chest, upright, or built-in refrigerator freezer could open unexpectedly. There are many, however here are a few examples:
  • Having an excessive amount of food on hand
  • The gasket or seal has failed.
  • There’s a lot of weight on the door.

These root reasons can be identified in a flash. However, some may take more work than others. Therefore, we have created a list of suggestions for properly sealing freezer doors. Continue reading to learn about the causes and solutions to these issues.

Why Your Freezer Door Keeps Popping Open, With Fixes

You Are Closing the Door Too Hard

How to Keep the Refrigerator Door Closed | Speedy Refrigerator Service

Fortunately, there is a simple answer to this problem. Simply shutting the door more slowly will do the trick. You will give the rubber seal plenty of time to attach to the inner compartment in this way. That way, the door won’t open too quickly and create a tremendous draft. Please be careful while you shut the freezer door. For this reason, the door will not open automatically.

The Freezer Is Not on Level Ground

It’s also possible that the door keeps coming off its hinges because of the bumpy ground. If the freezer is tilted, the door may get unlocked. When the freezer is put in your home, the floor will most likely be level. This, unfortunately, does not mean that the earth is still absolutely level.

The weight of the freezer may cause slight damage to the floor. As a result, the possibility exists that the freezer is no longer perfectly horizontal in some places. Possible floor movement due to passage of time. If there was ever a leak behind the freezer, this may happen.

The ground may not be perfectly flat, and the freezer may have moved. If this is the case, the freezer needs to be leveled again. Make sure the freezer door is sitting on a level surface so it stays shut. You should probably get some assistance in moving the freezer, as it could weigh quite a bit. It might be worth it to pay for a professional to check out your freezer.

The Freezer Legs Are Broken

It’s also possible that the legs are broken, which would explain why the freezer door won’t stay shut. Typically, the appliance will have four legs that work together to keep it stable. If one of the freezer’s legs is broken, the appliance is no longer stable. Pay close attention to the legs to make sure they are all the same length. A tape measure would be useful here.

A damaged leg may need to be stabilized temporarily by placing an object under it. For the time being, you’ll have to devise a strategy for acquiring a replacement freezer leg. Check the manual to see if it has any helpful tips.

After the new leg is delivered, you might be able to put it in by yourself. Moving the freezer to the opposite side of the room is also recommended. Therefore, take everything out of the freezer before you start. In this manner, you can rest assured that your perishables are safe from the possibility of the freezer breaking.

You should seek the assistance of a trained expert if you feel uneasy handling this on your own. In this method, you won’t risk any harm to yourself, your freezer, or the food you keep within. Once the replacement leg is in place, everything should be on an even keel once again.

The Door Is Not Properly Aligned

If you are unsure about what to do next, it is best to consult a professional. If you follow these guidelines, you won’t simply protect yourself and your freezer’s contents from harm, but the food within as well. Once the replacement leg is installed, everything should be level again.

Check to see sure the hinges are not bent or broken. If you need to replace the hinges, check with your neighborhood hardware store. It’s also possible that the screws aren’t lined up properly, so double-checking would be a good idea. If the door isn’t sealing properly, a few extra turns of the handle will do the trick.

Checking the door itself is a last-ditch effort. Damage to the door could make it no longer horizontal. Therefore, it could be necessary to replace the door entirely if you are seeking a completely watertight solution. Don’t be shy about getting in touch with an expert if you’ve got any questions or concerns.

How To Solve your recurring freezer door problem

The freezer might be off level

Upright and built-in refrigerators and freezers are particularly prone to this problem because of their elevated placement. It’s possible you didn’t notice, but not all of these fridges have identically sized adjustable legs. The freezer’s door seals more securely when the two front legs are taller than the two back legs, as the freezer leans forward at an angle that’s less than 90 degrees.

If your freezer is tilted or slightly off center, the door will open at just the right angle.

One quick and simple solution is to try adjusting the leveling screw located beneath the freezer door. Adjust the front leg of your upright freezer by 1/4 inch by turning the case leveling screw counterclockwise with a 3/8 socket wrench. The front leg’s height can be determined with the help of a level.

In order to change the leveling of the freezer door, you might try adjusting the leveling screw. Turning the case leveling screw counterclockwise with a 3/8 socket wrench will raise the front leg of the upright freezer by 1/4 inch. Use a level to get a precise measurement.

Excessive food stocks

You may adjust the leveling screw to vary how level the freezer door is. With a 3/8 socket wrench, turn the case leveling screw counterclockwise to raise the front leg of the upright freezer by 1/4 inch. Using a level guarantees a precise measurement.

Freezers can range in size and shape to accommodate a wide range of storage needs. You don’t need to be a math genius to figure out how much food you can fit in your freezer. There should be labels on freezer units that tell you how much food you can store before the door opens by itself.

The gasket or seal has become faulty

Another common reason freezer doors pop up is broken gaskets or seals. A gasket can be easily located by inspecting the white magnetic elastic band on the inside of your fridge or freezer door. It prevents the cold air within the freezer from escaping through any cracks or gaps in the seal.

However full or evenly distributed the contents of the freezer may be, the door will still open if the gasket has lost its magnetic energy or is too unclean to do its job.

As you’ll see in a moment, there are a few simple ways to deal with this issue.

1. Re-magnetizing the door seal

Make sure the gasket on your freezer door is magnetized by passing a neodymium magnet over it fifty times. If magnetic energy is applied to the strips, the gasket’s sealing ability can be restored.

Do not attempt this unless you are confident that the door is failing due to a lack of magnetic energy in the strip, as doing so wrong will harm the gasket.

2. Applying petroleum jelly

If the problem with the seal is not due to demagnetized strips, then just applying petroleum jelly on the door will do the trick.

A gasket may have dried out and lost its grip on the freezer door. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly can restore its sealing ability.

3. Cleaning the gasket

Once you’ve cleaned the door seal, pay close attention to the grooves and clean those out as well.

Using a mixture of dishwashing or detergent soap, vinegar, and hot water, you can create a cleaning solution strong enough to remove grime off the gasket. All of the seal’s surfaces and edges can be cleaned using a towel dipped in the solution. As soon as the water cools, get out another pot of hot water and clean up. The strips need to be softened with warm water so that they can be re-contracted.

Too much weight on the door

The gallon ice cream containers lining your freezer’s shelves could be able to open the door on their own.

To rapidly resolve the issue, remove any heavy things from the shelves in the freezer’s door. Popsicles and chocolates are too delicate to be shipped in such a manner. Objects with greater mass should be stored higher up.

person opening fridge put bottle milk Stock Footage Video (100% Royalty-free) 1018597549 | Shutterstock

How can I make my freezer door seal better?

Knowing the cause of your freezer door’s incessant opening will help you fix the problem. In order to prevent the cold from leaking out again, appropriate practices must be continuously observed. These two guidelines are what you need to remember if you want to preserve the integrity of the seal on your freezer door.

Regular cleaning

You will have a greater chance of fixing the problem if you can determine why your freezer door keeps opening. Appropriate procedures must be strictly adhered to so that the cold doesn’t seep out again. These two guidelines are what you need to remember if you want to keep your freezer door seal in good condition.

Every month, you can also use a hairdryer to blow hot air onto the gasket. Therefore, the magnetic strips on the entranceway will never come loose.

Timely replacement

If your gasket gets damaged or dented, you can buy a replacement at any home appliance store.

These are the easy measures to take when replacing the gasket:

To remove the mounting plate, undo the screws holding it in place.

Take off the gasket and repair the refrigerator door.

Clean the gasket slot carefully once it has been removed.

Insert the new gasket into the opening and use the mounting screws to keep it in place.

Apply a light coating of petroleum jelly to the gasket to prevent it from drying out.

What happens if the freezer door is left open?

If you don’t close the freezer after using it and let ice form on the evaporator coils, the freezer may not get cold enough to freeze your food. Additionally, more will be revealed later. The following unpleasant events may occur if the freezer door is left open:

Excessive condensation

As the freezer’s compressor works to keep the air at its ideal freezing temperature while outside temperatures rise due to high humidity, condensation, or “sweat,” will form inside. As a result, frost will form on the inside of the freezer and its contents.

System overheat

The compressor will need to operate at twice or three times its normal rate in order to achieve the desired cooling effect. If the thermostat doesn’t provide a signal to reduce power, the system could overheat, damaging your appliance and even your property.

Your utility bill will skyrocket

If these factors are considered together, it’s inevitable that your energy bill will rise. Consider how much energy a system needs to run at its optimal level.

How long can a freezer be open?

Do not keep the freezer door open for an extended amount of time. If you live in a warm area, you shouldn’t have your freezer door open for more than 10 minutes at a time.

Although leaving a freezer door open overnight may not necessarily cause damage, it is best practice to keep the door closed and locked to maximize the freezer’s lifespan.

10 Ways to Repair a Refrigerator Door that Won’t Close

The fridge is probably the single most important appliance in your home. It’s your choice to forego modern conveniences like central heating and hot water if you really have to. You can even consume cold meals if you don’t feel like preparing. Food preservation, however, is an absolute necessity in the current world. One of the more unsettling aspects about your fridge is that the door won’t close completely. Possibly the seal is broken, or you’ve been having trouble getting it to stick recently.

Whatsoever issue you’ve been having with your refrigerator door, we can diagnose it and fix it. Below are the top 10 solutions to the problem of a refrigerator door that won’t close, seal, or keep its seal.

1) Clean The Gasket

Most refrigerator door problems can be traced back to the gasket, the rubber seal that surrounds the outside of the refrigerator and freezer doors. The gasket on your refrigerator won’t do its job of sealing properly if it’s dirty, warped, split, or hardened with time.

Over time, dust and dirt may have accumulated on your sail, hindering its performance. Run a damp sponge or washcloth along the whole length of the rubber gasket to clean it. Grease and other impurities can be more easily removed with the help of a little white vinegar or mild dish soap. Vaseline can be used to rejuvenate a brittle old seal by applying a thin coating that softens the material.

2) Reattach The Gasket

Older refrigerators may have gaskets that become twisted or disconnected after being opened many times. In most cases, this is the cause of a refrigerator’s inability to keep food fresh. A new gasket may not be necessary if the old one can be reattached without causing more damage. The best method of cleaning a refrigerator can vary from model to model. Some gaskets on refrigerator doors are glued in place, while others are secured using adhesive tape.

3) Replace The Seal

It may be necessary to replace the gasket on your refrigerator if it is old or damaged. Before you begin, check the kind and model of your refrigerator to determine which replacement gasket you will need.

To replace the gasket, follow the instructions in the user handbook. Scrubbing the gasket groove before applying the new gasket is a required step in the installation process. After the seal is set, double-check to make sure everything went as expected.

4) Balance The Feet

Fridges with bad seals often have doors that hang at funny angles. Often, the uneven floor or the feet of the refrigerator are to blame. If your floor is uneven or if your refrigerator is resting on a rug, you may need to adjust the feet. Use a bubble or laser level to make sure the base of the refrigerator is perfectly flat. Assuming that the floor is even, ensure that the feet of the refrigerator are also uniform in height.

5) Tighten The Hinges

Your refrigerator door may sag at the hinges due to repeated opening and closing and the weight of gallon containers of milk. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this problem. If the hinges are in good condition, you may only need to tighten one of them, typically the one closest to the top of the door. To achieve optimum equilibrium, however, it may be necessary to adjust the bottom hinges as well.

After repeated use and the weight of full milk gallons, the hinges on your refrigerator door may begin to sag. It’s possible that a solution can be found in a few short minutes, which is good news. Simple adjustment of the hinges at the top of the door, which takes the most pressure, is all that’s needed. It’s possible that the bottom hinges also need to be adjusted.

6) Replace Damaged Hinges

If the hinges on your door are broken, it might not close all the way. Refrigerator hinges are susceptible to bending and warping if they are repeatedly stressed by opening and closing a heavy door. The good news is that you may repair or replace your refrigerator’s hinges rather than buying a new appliance if they have been bent, cracked, or rusted through. If you screw in new inches where the old hinges were attached, your refrigerator door will stay put with new vigor and dependability.

7) Rearrange The Shelves

It could be as easy as a jammed door that’s causing the issue. However, you may start to see these interruptions as a problem that has to be fixed if they occur frequently enough. Using every available shelf in your refrigerator could cause the door to be stuck open and the seal to leak. Changing the layout of your refrigerator’s shelves may help. Keep in mind the dimensions of the space you’ll require and the distance the door trays will project from the wall. You may optimize the storage space in your fridge by rearranging the shelves and drawers.

8) Remagnetize The Door

Your refrigerator door’s magnetism may have weakened or disappeared completely after extensive use. Repair services are able to fix refrigerators that use magnets on the door.

9) Replace The Door

The entire refrigerator door could be broken as a final option. It’s possible the door will never close all the way on its own again, depending on the severity of the damage. If your refrigerator’s door is broken, you’ll need to weigh the cost and benefits of repairing it vs buying a new refrigerator with all the bells and whistles and warranties that come with it.

How to Change the Direction Your Refrigerator Door Opens | Epicurious

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Freezer Door?

It can be more expensive to fix that broken freezer door than to just replace it. A major consideration when buying a freezer is how much it will cost to replace the door. Some estimates put the price of a new freezer door at between $200 and $400, but this is only an estimate.

Replacing a freezer door can be expensive, depending on a number of factors. The brand, the size, the time and effort required, and any additional parts that need to be swapped out are all included. An average price for a replacement freezer door is between $250 and $650.

It’s not always easy to find the best freezer door. If you know the appliance’s brand and model, as well as the precise components that are broken, finding a replacement may be much easier than you initially anticipated. Keep reading if you’re curious about how much it will cost to replace the door on your freezer.

The Costs of Replacing a Freezer Door

Estimate between $250 and $650 to replace a freezer door. The cost to replace or repair a door can vary widely depending on factors such as the door’s size and the number and cost of replacement parts. In addition, you can get no-cost price estimates based on your area.

The expense of a new large door for a freezer can be excessive. The following is a handy rundown of the many Whirlpool fridge models, dimensions, and associated costs:

  • Distance between the two: 29.5 and 32.75 inches (67 to 70 in)
  • Top freezer doors are available in two sizes: 28.75 inches and 32.75 inches in width.
  • 29.5 to 36 x 68.5 to 70.13-inch French door

Manufacturers of freezers typically list the dimensions and costs of freezer doors and other accessories on their websites. If you own one of these brands, use these search engines:

  • Products by GE
  • Frigidaire
  • LG
  • KitchenAid

If you look around, you might even be able to get a used freezer door at a good price. There’s also the option of hiring an expert to assist you, albeit that could come at an added expense.

Why Is My Chest Freezer Door Not Closing?

If your chest freezer’s door won’t close because of a wavy or uneven floor, try adjusting the level of the floor. If so, the feet need to be readjusted so that the unit sits flat against the cabinet. However, there could be an issue with the door seal. Check for splits or tears in the gasket around the freezer door. If the seal has worn out, replace it.

Does My Freezer Seal Need Replacing?

Your chest freezer door won’t close because it isn’t flush with the rest of the appliance. If that’s the case, then the cabinet’s feet shouldn’t protrude at all. The door seal may present some challenges, though. Replace the gasket on the freezer door if you see any cracks or damage. Alternately, a new seal can be installed if the old one fails.

  • Ice can form on surfaces that are too close to the freezer door.
  • The walk-in latch isn’t locking because the gasket is old and damaged.
  • It doesn’t seem to matter how tightly I close the freezer door, air keeps escaping.
  • Variations in the operating temperature of the appliance
  • There are traces of cracking in the gasket.

Cleaning the seal on a freezer door can prolong its life and improve its performance. Please read our piece on Cleaning a Freezer Door Seal if you’d like more information on this. The best way to know that the gasket you buy to replace the old one is right for your car is to check the handbook.

How Do You Measure An Integrated Fridge Freezer Door?

To the untrained eye, an integrated refrigerator-freezer may not even exist until the door is opened. If the appliance’s door stops working, this may be the best solution. You can take the following dimensions of a door from a refrigerator/freezer combo:

  1. It’s important to take the dimensions of the opening in your freezer for the integrated door. Common width and depth measurements for a door are 21.65 and 23.62 inches.
  2. The height of the integrated freezer door should be determined by placing a level on top of the appliance and measuring up from there. A standard built-in freezer door can range in height from about 51.18 to 70.08 inches.

Don’t replace your integrated refrigerator/freezer door unless it is the exact same model. Thus, the new door’s installation would be trouble-free.

Are Freezer Doors Reversible?

It is true that freezer doors can be reversed. It’s possible that this function is already built into the base model. Changing the direction of your freezer’s door can be done as a do-it-yourself project. This action may be helpful for some users because it allows them to change the orientation of the component. If you’re left-handed and the freezer door opens right, that’s an example of a problem.

If you need to rapidly switch the position of your freezer’s door, perform this DIY technique. Leaving food out in the open for longer than is necessary increases the likelihood that it will spoil. If you want to know more about this subject, check out our post: How long may the freezer door be left open before it must be closed?

Are Freezers Standard Size?

Typical chest freezers come in a set size. You might find a sizing chart like this on a chest freezer.

  • Length, width, and height of 32 to 33 by 28 by 30 by 22 inches
  • Measurements of 32-33.5 by 37-39 by 23-22 inches yield 7 cubic feet.
  • Volume is 9-10 cubic feet; dimensions are 33×41.5×24-27 inches
  • Dimensions (in inches): 32–36, 47–56, 30–32, and a volume (in cubic feet) of 14–15
  • Dimensions are roughly 33 by 73 by 32 inches. To put it another way, it has a volume of about 20-22 cubic feet.

However, there are companies who make freezers with non-standard measurements. It’s important to have accurate measurements of the available space before purchasing a freezer to avoid having to return it.

Is It Worth Fixing A Freezer?

In some cases, it may be desirable to repair a freezer that is only a few years old. It could take more or less time than intended to fix, depending on how extensive the damage is. There are exceptional cases in which the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the device being serviced. It’s possible that this issue isn’t worth fixing. Furthermore, if your freezer is more than 10 years old, you should replace it.

Why Your Fridge Door Won't Close 🔧 Express Appliance Repair

FAQs

Why is my freezer door opening?

In other words, a quick gust of wind is frequently the culprit. This may occur more frequently if the door is slammed or closed forcefully.

Why does the refrigerator door keep popping open?

A dirty seal could be the cause of a door that won’t close or continues opening. Put some dish soap in a sink full of hot water and scrub the dishes. The mixture can be scraped onto the gasket with an old toothbrush. Make sure that every surface of the seal has been properly cleaned.

How do you Remagnetize a freezer door seal?

Using this technique will necessitate the acquisition of a neodymium magnet. Clockwise magnet rotations of 50 times are recommended for each gasket segment. The rubber seal can be “recharged” by the magnetic strength or current of the neodymium magnet, restoring its ability to seal.

How do you fix a refrigerator door that keeps swinging open?

If you take precautions, you can take the hit and keep on going. In a worst-case scenario, you might want to consider protecting yourself against the impact of a wide-open refrigerator door. Put an ottoman or some other soft piece of furniture against the wall to catch the door before it causes any damage.

Why won’t my refrigerator door stay shut?

Ensure that the refrigerator door can close completely by removing any obstacles such as open containers, drawers, or uneven shelves. After you’ve put everything back where it belongs, shut the refrigerator door. If the door still doesn’t close, inspect the gaskets.

Why is my fridge door not magnetic?

Peter Eng of the University of Chicago’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering explains that the reason your refrigerator is magnet-less is because different types of stainless steel contain varied levels of nickel (added to help keep steel from cracking and to allow the addition of more carbon, for strength).

Are refrigerator door seals magnetic?

A small magnetic strip embedded in the rubber seal holds it securely to the metal cabinet’s outer shell. Closing the door completely creates a seal that blocks the entry of warm, humid air into the refrigeration system.

Where is the magnet in a fridge door?

Your refrigerator door is protected by a soft gasket that runs its whole circumference. Separates the door from the rest of the refrigerator. This PVC gasket contains a flexible magnet. It’s adaptable, to put it simply. Because the refrigerator’s body is made of steel, a strong magnetic attraction between the two components maintains an airtight seal.

How do I know if my freezer door gasket is bad?

Put a dollar bill in the freezer and close the door. You’ll need a long enough bill to pull this off. The gasket seal is broken if the bill may be easily slipped out. You need to check the seal all around, but especially in the four corners.

How do I know if my freezer seal is broken?

After inserting a flashlight into the freezer, be sure to shut the door. Put out the kitchen lights and look around the gasket for any light seepage. It’s a sign that the gasket has failed if light is escaping.

How do I stop my fridge door from swinging closed?

Switching the door hinges around may help if they are on the incorrect side. This is less of a problem if you hold on to the refrigerator’s handle when you open and shut it. When done this way, the lid won’t close when you set it down, allowing you to rest it in the open position.

In summary

With a few simple actions, you can ensure that your freezer door seals properly. These include cleaning and adding petroleum jelly to the gasket, making sure the appliance is balanced and not overfilled. By doing this, you can avoid freezer burn, overheating, high electricity costs, and irreversible freezer damage. To learn more about how to take good care of your freezer, check out this page here.