How to replace a door gasket in a top-freezer refrigerator
This DIY repair guide shows you how to replace a refrigerator door gasket that presses into a groove around the edge of the door on a top-freezer refrigerator.
The door gasket, often called a door seal, seals the gap around the door to keep the cold air in and the warm air out. Signs that the refrigerator gasket needs to be replaced include excessive frost buildup and reduced cooling. Replace the gasket if it’s worn, cracked or torn.
This repair procedure works for replacing the refrigerator and freezer door gaskets in many Kenmore, Frigidaire, LG and Samsung refrigerators.
If you have a different type of refrigerator, check out these repair guides and videos:
How to replace the door gasket in a top-freezer refrigerator
Instructions
- 01.
Remove creases in the new door gasket
To smooth creases and folds in the door gasket, soak it in warm water and dry with a towel. Or carefully warm it with a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting.
Be careful not to melt the gasket.
Tip: Heating some door gaskets causes them to expand. Allow the gasket to cool before installation if it seems too big for the door after heating.
PHOTO: Smooth out door gasket crases.
- 02.
Remove the refrigerator door gasket
First, turn off or unplug the refrigerator or shut off the circuit breaker for the refrigerator.
Pull the gasket out of the track. Starting at one of the corners is usually easiest. You may need to tug the gasket firmly to get the removal process started. If you have a difficult time starting at a corner, pull the gasket out starting in a spot halfway down the side of the door.
Once you get the removal process started, you should be able to pull the gasket out fairly easily.
PHOTO: Remove the door gasket.
- 03.
Clean the track in the refrigerator door
Using a wet cloth, wipe any spills from inside and around the track.
Cleaning the track ensures that the new gasket fits easily in the track and seals the door properly.
PHOTO: Clean the door gasket groove.
- 04.
Install the new gasket
Starting at the top of the door, work the new door gasket into the track. Work your way down both sides of the door and across the bottom. Check for loose spots and adjust the gasket as needed for a proper fit.
Spread a thin coat of petroleum jelly along the sealing surface of the door gasket to help the new gasket seal properly.
Close the door and check the fit. The door gasket should fit tightly against the cabinet and door with no gaps showing. Smooth out any creases that cause gaps. Push the door gasket further into the track to eliminate gaps.
Turn the refrigerator back on or restore power to the refrigerator.
Use the same procedure to replace the freezer door gasket.
Most common symptoms to help you fix your refrigerators
Choose a symptom to see related refrigerator repairs.
Main causes: damaged door seal, faulty defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat, broken defrost heater, bad defrost timer o…
Main causes: control board or cold control failure, broken compressor start relay, compressor motor failure, defrost tim…
Main causes: blocked vents, defrost system problems, evaporator fan failure, dirty condenser coils, bad sensors, condens…
Main causes: leaky door gasket, defrost system failure, evaporator fan not running, dirty condenser coils, condenser fan…
Main causes: jammed ice cubes, broken ice maker assembly, dirty water filter, kinked water line, bad water valve, freeze…
Main causes: blocked air vents, compressor problems, condenser or evaporator fan not working, control system failure, se…
Main causes: water valve leaking, frozen or broken defrost drain tube, overflowing drain pan, cracked water system tubin…
Things to do: clean condenser coils, replace the water filter, clean the interior, adjust doors to prevent air leaks, cl…
Most common repair guides to help fix your refrigerators
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your refrigerator.
How to replace a refrigerator water valve
Replace the water valve that feeds water to the ice maker and water dispenser if it no longer controls the flow of water…
How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board
If the temperature in your refrigerator doesn't match the temperature you set, the problem could be the temperature cont…
How to clean refrigerator condenser coils
Help your refrigerator run more efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils. It's easy and takes just a few minutes.…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your refrigerators
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your refrigerator.
No matter what style Maytag refrigerator you have, we can walk you through replacing the water filter.…
Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…
If your refrigerator's ice maker isn't producing as much ice as it should, or water is flowing poorly from the dispenser…