Refrigerator door does not shut automatically

[travelplanner70]

Does anyone know of a way to get he refrigerator door to shut if you swing it closed? My elderly mother is not good at making sure the door is closed all the way by leaning on it. So there are times I find the door slightly ajar when I visit. thanks for your help.

 

[isisdave]

A lot of those doors just don't shut well if the push to close them is not strong enough. But check the door gasket, particularly at the bottom where it might be out of sight under the bottom door shelf. If it's old or loose, it can interfere with proper closing.

You might try some WD-40 on the hinges to make sure they operate easily.

 

[Ridewithme38]

Does anyone know of a way to get he refrigerator door to shut if you swing it closed? My elderly mother is not good at making sure the door is closed all the way by leaning on it. So there are times I find the door slightly ajar when I visit. thanks for your help.

I put gate springs on my backgate because the landscapers and pool maintence people kept leaving it open..that thing slams shut TIGHT...I'm sure that might work with a fridge too!

 

[irishween]

Try putting some shims under the front feet so it is slightly raised. It being off balance will help it to automatically close.

 

[Talent312]

It should seal itself, but something is giving resistance.
My primary suspect would be a problem with the seal (gasket) around the door.

I'd try these things:
1. See if there's anything in the fridge pushing against the the door.
2. See if the door seal is loose, bent or broken anywhere, and needs replacement.
3. Try raising the front (lower the wheels) to make the door shut at a higher velocity.

 

[Passepartout]

Modern refrigerators use a magnetic gasket around the opening on the frame of the door. If the fridge is not exactly level or if the hinges need some lubricant, the gasket can't get close enough for the magnet to 'grasp' the frame of the fridge. Try cleaning the gasket and frame really well and using a level, make sure it is level and that the bolts holding the hinges to the door and frame are tight. Then a squirt of WD-40 on the hinges ought to do it.

All this should be done as part of an appliance delivery, but anymore the delivery people just uncrate it, bring it in and plop it in place. Over time appliances can settle and put heavy doors in just enough of a bind to not quite close all the way. A refrigerator door shouldn't need an extra 'shove' to properly close.

Jim Ricks

 

[shagnut]

A trick I learned while selling was put vaseline on the gasket. I've never tried it, but I thought I'd pass this on. shaggy

 

[kwilson]

All of the above could be right, but simply adjusting the feet to tilt the refer slightly to the rear will solve the problem.
Slightly screw the front feet down.