How do I replace a refrigerator door gasket?

Start with the gasket you have

Most gasket trouble does not need a new gasket. Work through three cheaper fixes first, then replace the gasket only if it is cut, torn or hardened.

Whirlpool warns that a refrigerator that is not sealing correctly may lead to frost build-up, temperature fluctuation and a door switch that cannot make contact correctly.^[5] Those are the symptoms that send people to the gasket. Look at the rubber all the way around both doors before you order anything.

Unplug the refrigerator first

GE recommends that you first disconnect the power by unplugging from the wall outlet or turning it off at the circuit breaker.^[4] Empty the door shelves you need to reach and set cold food in a cooler if the work will take more than a few minutes.

Fix what can be fixed

Dirty or sticky gasket. Whirlpool says the gaskets need to be cleaned regularly for the doors to open and close properly, because dirt and other particles can build up on the gasket surface and cause resistance.^[5] Wipe the gasket and the folds in it with warm water and a little mild dish soap, then dry it.

Gasket pulled loose. GE says that if the gasket has pulled loose from the door it can be pushed back into the retainer.^[4] Work along the edge with your fingers until the lip sits in its groove all the way round.

Wrinkled or dented gasket. If the gasket has deformations or wrinkles in it, GE says a blow dryer can be used to correct them: put it on the low setting, aim it at the section that needs correcting, and use your hand to smooth out the gasket as you blow it with the blow dryer.^[4]

Something else holding the door off. Whirlpool also lists food packages, a bin or shelf out of position, and a refrigerator that is not level as causes of a door that will not seal. Use a level from side to side and front to back; if the floor is not level, shims may be needed.^[5]

Replace the gasket if it is cut or torn

GE's rule is simple: if the gasket has cuts, tears or rips it needs to be replaced.^[4] A hardened, cracked or moldy gasket that no longer springs back is in the same category.

Find the model number on the label inside the cabinet and order the gasket for that exact model and door. Doors on the same refrigerator often take different gaskets, so check whether you are ordering the fresh food door or the freezer door. GE describes its magnetic gaskets as sliding into a groove retaining channel and points owners to separate instructional videos for each door; it also sells replacement gaskets through its Parts & Accessories site.^[3]

A new gasket usually arrives folded and creased. Let it sit in a warm room, or follow the maker's instructions, so it relaxes before you fit it. Then follow the steps for your model, which differ between a clip-in, a screw-held and a push-in retainer. Do not pull the new gasket tight as you seat it; stretching one side leaves a gap on the other.

For some models, GE says lubricating the hinge side of the gasket with a thin layer of petroleum jelly may be suggested, and it points to the owner's manual for instructions.^[4] Do that only when your manual says so.

Test the new seal

Close the door on a strip of paper at several points around the door. It should hold the paper with a little drag everywhere. Anywhere it slides out freely, press the gasket into its channel again and warm any wrinkle with the dryer. Give the refrigerator a day to settle, and watch for frost at the door edge. ENERGY STAR advises making sure the seals around the doors are airtight and replacing them if they are not.^[2]

Stop and call a pro if

• The gasket is fine but the door still hangs open or drops. That points to hinges, a sagging door or a cabinet that has shifted, and a technician should look at it.
• Frost and warm food continue after a good seal. The cause may be a failed defrost part, fan or sealed-system fault. A sealed system is not a homeowner job: EPA rules cover the technicians who service refrigeration equipment that could release refrigerant.^[1]
• You have to open the cabinet or go behind a panel to reach the retainer. Stop if that means touching wiring.
• Your model is under warranty. Ask the maker or seller first so you do not void coverage.

Getting help in Virginia

If a gasket will not cure the problem, read what refrigerator repair costs in Virginia and whether to repair or replace a refrigerator. The wider set of appliance repair answers and the appliance repair directory cover the rest of the kitchen.

When you are ready, describe the refrigerator problem once and local appliance repair businesses quote it.