Refrigerator Door Won’t Open or Close: Top 5 Reasons and Fixes For Kenmore, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, and Other Brands (With Video!)

Struggling with a refrigerator door that just won’t budge? You’re not alone, and we’ve got the solution to save you from costly repairs. Dive into our step-by-step guide, complete with a handy how-to video just below, to troubleshoot and fix this common household headache with ease!

There are several refrigerator components that can lead to a door that won’t open or close. There are options to troubleshoot the most common components that lead to this issue, but safety should always come first. This means that you should turn off the water supply under the sink and either unplug the refrigerator from the wall or turn off the circuit breaker. Follow this guide to determine which refrigerator door part may be the problem and save money fixing it yourself.

When you have identified the part needed for your refrigerator door, search below using your specific fridge model number to identify the exact part needed:

Door Closure Cams

There are several refrigerator components that can lead to a door that won’t open or close. There are options to troubleshoot the most common components that lead to this issue, but safety should always come first. This means that you should turn off the water supply under the sink and either unplug the refrigerator from the wall or turn off the circuit breaker.

The door closure cams are the first thing to look at if your refrigerator door doesn’t open or close. These parts are what the door rides on when it opens or closes. Door closure cams can be found in a variety of styles but are typically made of plastic with a distinct lower and upper cam. They offer a smooth surface that the door can ride on and help it remain open or closed.

For refrigerators that have cams, the lower one is typically found at the lower door hinge and the upper one is on the door. If the cams become damaged or cracked, they can bind up and make it impossible to open or close the refrigerator door. If this is the case, you’ll likely also hear the sound of plastic rubbing against plastic. Look for wear or damage but if they are binding up, it’s likely at least one has gone bad. Some door closure cams are sold individually while others are sold in sets. It’s recommended that both be changed at the same time so an older part isn’t mixed with a new one.

Drawer Gears

The drawer gears are another component in the fridge that let the door to the freezer open and close smoothly. This part has two gears that are mounted on a rod that rides on a gear track. Some of them are sold individually while others come in a matched set. With bottom-out freezers, they will be found toward the back of the freezer drawer rails on each side.

If the freezer door is binding up when you try to open or close it, the drawer gears may be damaged. Take out the freezer basket and inspect the gears before replacing them if there’s a problem. If everything is looking okay, you can move on to the next component that might have gone bad.

To replace the drawer gears, take out the drawer and remove any screws that secure the assembly to the rails. Take out the bin by lifting it up and then remove the drawer assembly and set it somewhere sturdy. Take the shaft off of the frame and then remove the old gear. The new replacement gear can be installed by sliding it on the shaft. Insert the gear assembly and shaft, reinstall the drawer assembly, and align the tabs with the slots. Then the drawer bin can be replaced and the screws can go back in.

Door Closure Levers and Cams

If everything else has been in good shape, the next thing to look at are the door closure levers and cams. These parts are responsible for helping with the auto closing and opening of the door. They let the door open and close correctly. The closer is typically composed of a lever and cam that work together, although they are sold individually.

Most of the time, the lever is mounted on the cabinet while the cam is found on the door. Based on the design of your refrigerator, these levers and cams might be at the top or the bottom of the refrigerator. The levers and cams are there to automatically hold the door open and help it shut when it’s being closed. Since they aren’t located on the hinge pin, failing door closure levers and cams won’t stop the door from opening or closing. However, the automatic function for opening and closing the door will be missing. After finding the parts, inspect them for any kind of damage. If the parts have failed, they will need to be replaced to bring back full functionality. Once the items have been reinstalled, the door should work properly again and your water and power can be turned back on for the refrigerator.

Door Hinge Bushings

Next, the door hinge bushings should be considered if the refrigerator door won’t open or close. These parts are used to ensure the door moves smoothly on the door hinges. Door hinge bushings can come in a variety of designs but are all responsible for offering a smooth surface for the door to ride on. These bushings can be used on any door hinge where a door cam isn’t present.

If the door seems loose on the hinge pins or is binding up, it could be because of bad door hinge bushings. In some cases, the door hinge will need to be removed so you can inspect this part. If the bushings are damaged, they will need to be replaced. Make sure the refrigerator is unplugged before you remove the upper door hinge cover so you can access the part. Next, take a flathead screwdriver and use it to remove the old door hinge bushing. The new hinge busing can be placed in by hand. If the door has a hinge bushing at the bottom of the door, remove the door before taking off the bottom hinge. You can also remove the freezer door to replace the bushings before you reinstall the door.

Door Gaskets

The last component that could lead to issues opening or closing the door of the refrigerator is the door gasket. It’s responsible for sealing the doors of the refrigerator so that warm air can’t get in and cold air can’t get out. Most of the time, the door gasket will have a rib on one side so it can be mounted while the other side is magnetic and flat.

The door gasket is located on the outer edge of the door and it might cause the door to have issues opening or closing if it’s damaged, deformed, or overly dirty. If any of these things occur, cleaning and testing will need to be done to determine if the door gasket needs to be replaced.

Look over the door gaskets and then clean them as much as you can. If the door is open, this will give you the chance to get better cleaning done. While doing so, look for damage and deformities, which are most likely to happen on the hinge side of the door. If these are minor, a hairdryer can heat them up so they can be reformed. However, if the problem is major or the magnet has failed, the door gasket will need to be replaced.

Where To Find Us

Still have questions after reading this guide? Please reach out to AppliancePartsPros.com, we are always happy to help you fix your appliance yourself. Since 1999, AppliancePartsPros.com has helped millions of people repair their broken appliances by providing high-quality original parts at well below retail prices, free tech support and troubleshooting, and award-winning customer service! We’re open 7 days a week. Visit our site at https://www.appliancepartspros.com or call us at 877-477-7278. Over 90% of orders delivered in 1-2 days with guaranteed overnight shipping available! 365 days to return any part. Expert, friendly, US-based customer support team.