How to Change the Side on Which Your Refrigerator Door Opens

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You did some remodeling and now your fridge door opens the wrong way and you want to change it. It's easy to change the door opening swing. Keep reading for more information.

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 On the very...
    On the very top of the fridge, above the freezer door (you may need a stepladder) remove the two torx screws (using a torx driver, just a few dollars from local hardware store). from the freezer door. These will be in the hinge plate (hinge side of fridge).[1]
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Remove the top hinge plate.
    Set the hinge plate aside, and re install the two torx screws, in the holes on top the fridge.
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  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 On the handle side, to the outer edge of the handle, you will see a small vinyl or plastic plug (top of freezer door).
    Using your small flat screwdriver, gently work your way around the plug (prying the plug up), and place it in the hole where you removed the hinge plate.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Open the freezer door and lift the freezer door off the pivot pin.
    Set the door aside.[2]
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 On the bottom...
    On the bottom of the fridge door, hinge side, you will see a small bracket (same color as fridge), there will be two torx screws in the face of the fridge frame. Remove these two screws. This may cause the fridge door to drop, so you may want a friend to hold the door in the closed position while you remove this bracket.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Open the fridge...
    Open the fridge door, lower it and remove the fridge door, (dropping it below the center pivot pin) set door aside and replace the two screws in the fridge frame. You may have to tilt the door as you remove it from the pivot pin.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Using your torx screwdriver, remove the center hinge bracket, (that was between the freezer door and the fridge door).
    Remove the bracket, and put the screws back in the holes on the frame. Keep the bracket in the exact position as it was while mounted, and set it aside.[3]
  8. How.com.vn English: Step 8 On the handle...
    On the handle side of fridge frame, center section, remove the two torx screws from the frame, and the first screw from the outer edge, (from the section of frame between the the fridge and the freezer). Flip the center bracket (that you took off) upside down, and attach it with the screws you just removed.
  9. How.com.vn English: Step 9 On the bottom of the fridge door, with your small flat screwdriver pry out the pivot pin.
    And remove the small torx screw from the pivot pin bracket. Put the pivot pin bracket, and the pivot pin back on the opposite side of the door. You may have to tilt the plate to get the pivot pin plate out.
  10. How.com.vn English: Step 10 On the face of the fridge door, on the old hinge side, you will see a small plastic plug.
    Gently pry the plug out, and set it aside. In about the same location on the handle you will see either a name plate (brand of fridge) or another plastic plug or plate. Gently pry this plug out (using small flat screwdriver), and remove the screw under it. On the top of the fridge door, remove the two Phillip screws that hold the handle on. Remove the handle and replace the screws. Set the handle aside, and remove the large plastic plug that was next to the handle, and replace on the opposite side. Remove the two screws in the same location of the old hinge side, and remount the handle, and plastic plugs.
  11. How.com.vn English: Step 11 Remove the two screws on the bottom of the fridge frame, the new hinge side.
    Remount the fridge door. Caution: There may be three screws in this area, be sure to remove the two that are in line with each other. You may need to tilt the fridge door slightly, and slide the top pivot pin in as you bring the door down.
  12. How.com.vn English: Step 12 Remove the Phillip screws from the top and bottom of the freezer door handle.
    Remove the handle and set aside.[4]
  13. How.com.vn English: Step 13 Remove the pivot...
    Remove the pivot pin plate from the old hinge side of the freezer door, and put it back in on the side where you removed the handle. Re-attach the freezer door handle on the new side.
  14. How.com.vn English: Step 14 On the very top of the fridge, remove the two screws, from the old handle side.
    Put the freezer door on center pivot pin and close the door. Re-mount the top hinge bracket. You may need to lift or adjust the door slightly to get the screws to line up.[5]
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  • Question
    On a 2014 domestic RV fridge, is it necessary to flip the door? If not, why are there no pre-drilled holes on the other side?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Normally the company that makes the fridge makes it efficient for the space it will be used in, however they sometimes make a universal fridge and don't pay attention to the workspace, this is why the door would be on the wrong side. if you have the owner's manual that should tell you. If you do not have the owner's manual you could search for it on Google or try calling the manufacturer.
  • Question
    What if it is not a modern refrigerator?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Modern or not, you should still be able to do it. Keep in mind this is for RV refrigerators, not home appliances. Check your owner's manual or call the manufacturer if you have problems.
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      Tips

      • Always put screws back where they came from. Leaving these screws out can cause damage to the insulation.
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      Warnings

      • If you have a water dispenser or ice maker in the fridge door, there may be additional caution and connections needed.
      • Do not use a Phillips screwdriver as torx screwdriver, as you will strip the screw heads.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Torx screwdriver or nut driver - depending on what's holding your fridge door hinges.
      • Phillips screwdriver
      • small flat blade screwdriver

      About This Article

      How.com.vn is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 12 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 323,670 times.
      117 votes - 70%
      Co-authors: 12
      Updated: October 1, 2021
      Views: 323,670
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