How to replace French door housing DA61-04286A on a Samsung refrigerator

Tired of dealing with a Samsung refrigerator that’s struggling to keep its cool? If your French door housing is showing signs of wear, it might be time to replace it and avoid costly food spoilage and energy bills. Dive into our step-by-step guide complete with a helpful how-to video just below to bring your fridge back to top efficiency.

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

A Samsung refrigerator’s French door housing is part of several mechanisms that keep the doors sealed so the machine can maintain the ideal temperature inside. Over time, wear and tear on the door housing can lead to a range of issues, from ineffective sealing to an overworked motor. Addressing this problem promptly can save you from potential food spoilage and inflated energy bills.

You can find a replacement French door housing here. If you need other replacement parts for your Samsung refrigerator, just enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find them. It’s that easy! Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Watch the full repair here

What you need

• A small flat-head screwdriver
• A Phillips screwdriver
• Durable tape
• A new French door housing (make sure it’s compatible with your specific fridge model before installing)

Disclaimer: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.

Read more: How To Clean Refrigerator Coils In 5 Easy Steps & Why To Do It

How to replace the French door housing

Change out the French door housing on a Samsung refrigerator with these steps.

Step 1: Remove the metal panel

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet and shut off the water supply to keep yourself safe during the repair process.
2. Open the left French door to reveal the metal panel covering the housing. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry off this panel. Handle this part with care to avoid any damage.

Step 2: Secure the heater

Find the heater on the back of the metal panel. Secure it with tape to prevent it from shifting during the repair.

Step 3: Remove the foam and caps

1. Note the placement and orientation of any foam or caps.
2. Take a photo of them to make the reassembly process easier.
3. Take out any foam and caps with the appropriate tools.

Read more: 4 Simple Ways to Reduce Kitchen Waste

Step 4: Remove the spring

Carefully remove the spring, which is often under tension, from the hinge hole. Flex the spring out and slide off the sleeve to detach it.

Step 5: Remove the center hinge and wire harness

1. Remove the center hinge caps and unscrew the center hinge.
2. Disconnect the wire harness by pressing the locking tab and carefully pulling the wire through the hinge.

Step 6: Remove the old housing

With the wire harness out of the way, gently extract the old housing. Don’t forget to remove the top guide piece.

Read more: 8 DIY Safety Tips 

Step 7: Position the guide

Place the guide back onto the fridge and secure it with the screws. This part helps the new housing fit into place.

Step 8: Thread the wire harness

Carefully feed the wire harness through the new housing. Take care not to pinch or damage the wires.

Step 9: Reattach the center hinge

Reattach the center hinge, then reconnect the wire harness.

Read more: How To Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

Step 10: Reassemble the spring and caps

Place the spring back into its designated spot along with the sleeve and make sure the caps are back in place. Make sure the spring and caps are positioned correctly.

Finish up

1. Close the French door and screw the housing onto the fridge.
2. Put the foam back and reattach the heater.
3. Plug the fridge in.
4. Turn the water supply back on.
5. Check the fridge after a few hours to make sure it’s cooling and working correctly.

Read more: Refrigerator maintenance guide for Thanksgiving

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the French door housing in your Samsung refrigerator.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!