With our busy modern lives, most of us occasionally forget to shut the freezer door properly. However, if youāre finding the freezer opens regularly, there may be a problem. Here weāll take a look at possible causes.
Why Does My Freezer Door Keep Popping Open?
If you have a combined fridge freezer, it can be perfectly normal for the door on one part to pop open when closing the other side. If you have a standalone freezer, it could be a problem with the door seal, the freezer may be over-full, or perhaps the appliance isnāt level.
What Can Cause a Freezer Door to Pop Open?
In a combined fridge freezer, the two components work together to function effectively. For this reason, there are air channels that allow the flow of air between the two sections.
If the door of one section is closed particularly quickly or slammed, this can increase the pressure in the other half so suddenly or extremely that it forces the door of that section to pop open.
This is perfectly normal, and as long as you notice and close the door straight away, this shouldnāt be a problem.
However, if the door keeps coming open, particularly on the freezer side, then this can be a sign that something is wrong.
First check that nothing in the freezer is sticking out and blocking the door from shutting properly, such as an item of food or a misaligned drawer or shelf.
If this doesnāt solve the issue, there is likely a problem with the door seal, or the appliance isnāt level.
How Do You Fix a Freezer Door That Keeps Opening?
There are a few obvious places to check when it comes to fixing a freezer door that keeps popping open on its own:
Dodgy Seal
Over time the door seal can get dirty and worn. If you think this might be the issue, start by giving the door seal a clean with a mixture of 1-part baking soda to 3-parts water.
Rinse and dry thoroughly. As you are cleaning the door seal, check carefully for any signs of wear and tear. If there is any damage, it is likely it will need replacing.
If it all appears to be in good working order, apply a little paraffin wax or petroleum jelly to the seal, as lubrication can help the seal work effectively.
You can then check if there is a problem with the door seal by opening the freezer door, placing a piece of paper over the door seal, and then shutting the door.
If you can remove the paper without opening the door, then the seals will need replacing.
Unlevel Appliance
If you think the appliance might not be level, what to do next will depend on whether it is a freestanding or built-in appliance. If it is built in, you will need to contact the company that fitted the kitchen or if that isnāt possible, another reputable kitchen fitter.
If it is a freestanding appliance, check how the appliance is sat. It should be slightly higher at the front, to help the door remain closed. If it isnāt, you will need to adjust the levelling legs. The best thing to do is consult the manual, as exact instructions may vary.
You may need to remove a grille on the front of the appliance to access the legs. This may simply pull off, or you may need to use a wrench or screwdriver.
You should then be able to adjust the legs; again, you may be able to do this by hand, or you may need a tool.
Turn clockwise to raise the legs. Use a spirit level to check if the appliance is tilted. The front should be about 6mm higher than the back. When you are happy that the front is now higher than the back, replace the grille.
Consider Usage
Another thing to bear in mind is how you are using the storage compartments in the doors if your freezer has them. If you have put heavy items in the door, and the freezer is on a tilt, these items might be pulling the door open.
Conversely, if the freezer is properly sloped backwards, heavy items in the door might help weigh the door shut.
Hinge Alignment
Finally, it can also be worth checking the hinges. Misalignment of the doors can result in them not closing properly.
The hinges may simply need adjusting, or if they are damaged or corroded, they may need replacing.
Can You Use a Latch to Keep a Freezer Door Shut?
If youāve tried all these steps and your freezer still isnāt staying shut, it may be that the freezer needs replacing. However, if it is still working perfectly well and the only problem is that the door wonāt stay closed, you might consider adding a latch.
A simple latch, such as you might use on a gate, is probably the cheapest choice, but may look unsightly, particularly if your freezer is in your kitchen.
There are many child safety locks on the market that look less unappealing, but they may not function in quite the way you need them to, so do choose carefully.
Related FAQs
If you still have questions about a freezer that won’t stop popping open then have a look over these common queries:
There are a number of things that can prevent a door on a freezer from staying shut. This could include a poor quality seal, a dirty seal, badly aligned hinges or an overfilled freezer.
