The quickest way to test a refrigerator door seal is to close the door on a strip of paper at several points around the gasket and pull it out; you should feel steady resistance every time. A weak seal lets warm, humid air in, so check it if you see frost near the door, sweating on the gasket, or a fridge that seems to run too often.
Time: about 20 minutes · Difficulty: Easy · You'll need: a strip of printer paper about 2 inches wide, warm water, mild dish soap, a soft cloth, a flashlight
Before you start
- •You don't need to unplug the fridge for testing, but keep door-open time short so food stays cold.
- •Use only mild soap and water on the gasket. Harsh cleaners and solvents can dry out or crack the rubber.
- •Note any torn or flattened sections before you start pulling on the gasket.
Steps
Step 1 — Look over the gasket
Open the door and run your eyes and fingers along the whole gasket. Look for tears, hard spots, gaps at the corners, or sections that look pressed flat.
Step 2 — Do the paper test
Close the door on the paper strip and slowly pull it out. Repeat every few inches along the top, both sides and the bottom. A strip that slides out with no drag marks a weak spot.
Step 3 — Try the flashlight check
In a dark kitchen, place a lit flashlight inside the fridge facing the door seam and close the door. Light leaking out around the edge shows where the seal isn't making contact.
Step 4 — Clean the gasket
Wash the gasket and the cabinet surface it touches with warm soapy water, getting into the folds where crumbs and sticky residue collect. Dry it well. Residue can keep the gasket from sitting flat.
Step 5 — Reshape a flattened section
A gasket that has taken a set can sometimes be coaxed back by warming it gently with a hair dryer on low, held several inches away, and then pressing the section into shape with your fingers. Retest after it cools.
Step 6 — Check the door alignment
Many manufacturers recommend setting the fridge so the front sits slightly higher than the back, which helps doors swing shut and seal. Adjust the front leveling legs or rollers per your manual if the door won't close by itself.
Didn't fix it?
If the paper still slides out after cleaning and reshaping, the gasket is likely worn and should be replaced with the correct part for your model. A sagging door that won't seal even with a good gasket may have a hinge problem. For either, our refrigerator repair team can fit the right part. While you're working on efficiency, also see how to clean refrigerator condenser coils.
How often to do this
Test the seal once or twice a year, and wipe the gasket whenever you clean the shelves. Check it right away if you see condensation on the gasket or frost building near the door.
From Kevin: Over-stuffed door bins are a sneaky cause. A gallon jug pushing the door out by a quarter inch can make a perfectly good gasket fail the paper test.
Door still not sealing? Call ProFix NJ at (973) 718-9373.