Different parts of a fridge can become faulty, including the doors. Learn about different Bosch fridge door problems and how to solve them.
Table of Contents
Bosch Fridge Door Not Closing Properly – What to Do
Several issues can cause the door of your Bosc fridge not to close properly. The first thing to check is whether or not anything is sticking out from the shelves or bins. Overfilling the fridge can cause door issues, so rearrange the items in the unit. You can also consider reducing the items if they seem to be giving issues, especially if you overfill the door bins.
Also, clear the door bins and check the hinges. Putting too many items in the door bins can weigh the door down and weaken the hinges over time. There is a specific weight every fridge door can carry; exceeding this weight limit can damage the door. Therefore, replace the hinges if weak or tighten the screws if they are loose.
1. Door Gasket
The gasket is the rubber seal that runs around the door’s edge. It has folds and helps to seal the door tightly. Over years of use, the gasket can weaken and once this happens, the fridge door will not close properly.
Other times, the gasket is simply kinked or dirty. If the gasket is significantly dirty, it can stop the door from sealing tightly. Most times, it is almost imperceptible but cold air slowly seeps out of the fridge, causing the unit to lose its cooling capacity. Cleaning the gasket with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush should remove most of the stains. The door should easily close and seal if dirt is the primary cause of the problem.
However, if the gasket is kinked or twisted, which can happen with poor use, you can straighten it. Carefully remove the gasket and turn it to straighten it. If that is not possible, try using a small flat-blade screwdriver to work the kinks out of the rubber. And if that also fails, consider replacing the gasket.
2. Door Cam
The door cam is a small plastic notch at the bottom hinge of a fridge door. It helps with the door movement and can restrict the door movement if broken or damaged in any other way. Inspecting the door cam means removing the door from the fridge.
Turn off the fridge and loosen the top hinge. Lift the door off the bottom hinge pin when the top hinge is loose and off. Lay the door down and look at the point where it connects to the bottom hinge pin to find the cam. You can also check the bottom hinge pin if you do not find it underneath the door. Replace the cam if broken or damaged.
3. Door Mullion Support
Some Bosch fridge models have a mullion heater that prevents condensation from building between the doors. The heater is usually found on French-door models; it has a flap that covers the heater and a support that keeps the flap from opening at will.
If the door support no longer controls the flap, it will affect how the flap works. And if the flap does not properly close, it can keep the fridge door open. Therefore, check the door support for damage and replace it if necessary.
In addition, the door may have been incorrectly installed. If the fridge is a new installation, the door may have been incorrectly fixed. The same applies if you recently removed and replaced the door. This may be the fault of the installation team or not following the specific instructions in the user guide. You will need to remove and reinstall the door if applicable.
Note: The same steps apply if your Bosch freezer door does not close properly.
Bosch Refrigerator Door Adjustment Steps
Sometimes, you may find that the door of your Bosch refrigerator is not properly aligned. In other words, one door may be higher than the other door. If that is the case, turn off the refrigerator by unplugging it from the wall outlet. Ensure you never repair any part of the refrigerator while it is still connected to electricity.
Next, inspect the doors to see which one you need to raise or lower. When you do, locate the adjustment screw on the bottom hinge of that door and turn it to raise or lower the door. Turn it left or counterclockwise to raise the door or turn it right or clockwise to lower the door.
If you need to adjust the freezer drawer of the refrigerator, check the side that is out of alignment. Next, loosen the two holding screws on that side of the drawer when you determine the faulty side, but do not remove the screws. Leave them hanging in the screw holes. Then, use the top screw to adjust the drawer.
Follow the specific instructions in the user manual to adjust it in the direction it should go. Check the drawer alignment as you do until you achieve the desired balance. Finally, tighten the screws again and close the drawer to check how well you fixed it.
Bosch Freezer Door Not Sealing – Fixed
The freezer door not sealing means the door gasket is weak. But before deciding that, check the freezer baskets and racks. One or more of them may be out of place, and if that is the case, rearrange them so that the door can close.
Also, there is a possibility that something is sticking out of the freezer basket, and you only need to rearrange it. If you put too many items in the freezer, the door will not shut and seal properly. Additionally, check for ice buildup around the gasket and melt it with a warm cloth or sponge. Reduce the items in the compartment and ensure you arrange the contents to encourage proper airflow.
You may also want to check the freezer’s leveling. Improper leveling can cause different issues, including poor sealing. You will find that the door does not quickly close and seal as it should. Place a level on top of the appliance and check the balance. If it is not right, locate the leveling legs and adjust them accordingly. The freezer should tilt a little to the back to enable proper sealing.
However, if all of the above does not apply, you may have to replace the door gasket. Check to see if it is dirty; food spills and other debris can make the gasket significantly dirty and unable to seal properly. Clean it with warm soapy water and a sponge. Also, see if the gasket is kinked or loose; use a small screwdriver to fix it if applicable. If these do not work, replace the gasket.
How to Replace the Door Gasket on a Bosch Refrigerator
To replace the door gasket on a Bosch refrigerator, start by turning off the appliance. Unplug it from the wall outlet or turn off the breaker. Open the door and check the gasket. If the refrigerator model has a mullion flap, you must remove it before you can replace the gasket. Follow the instructions in the user manual to loosen and remove the screws so you can lift the flap down.
Next, gently lift the gasket and place your thumbs under it. You can start from any portion of the door, but it is usually best to start from the top. Use your thumbs to lift the rubber gasket from the starting point until you move around the refrigerator door. The seal will easily come off the door when you are done.
Check the new gasket to ensure it is the correct fit for your refrigerator. Always use your refrigerator model to purchase a new door gasket so that you will get the right size and fit. Put the new gasket in warm water to straighten or unkink it if it looks smaller or kinked.
Now, align the gasket on the door, starting from the top. Press it into the track as you move around the door. Press the seal hard enough to push it into place; otherwise, it may come loose within a short period. Ensure the corners of the gasket fit into place in the door corners. Do this before pushing the bottom part into the track. Double-check the seal to ensure it fits properly before testing it.
Bosch Refrigerator Has a Sqeaky Door – Quick Fix
If the door on your Bosch refrigerator sounds squeaky, it may be due to a damaged door closing cam. Before deciding, inspect the areas around the door to ensure there is nothing else causing the noise. Look at the contents of the refrigerator and items around the appliance that may rub on the door. It may be as simple as moving furniture or relocating some items to accommodate the refrigerator door.
However, if that does not work, the best solution is to check and replace the door cam. It is on the bottom door hinge, so you will have to remove the affected door before reaching it. It may be too tedious a task if you do not have the skills. You may need someone to help, especially since the door is typically heavy. So, contact the Bosch Service Center or hire an independent technician for further assistance.
How to Reverse the Door on a Bosch Refrigerator
Disconnect the refrigerator from the electric power and leave it for a few minutes. This should give it time to cool before touching it. Next, use a hex-head wrench to remove the screws securing the top hinge to the refrigerator door. Set aside the screws in a safe place so you do not lose them.
Once the hinge is loose, lift it up and off the door. Then, lift the door up and off the bottom hinge and set it aside. If it is a top freezer model, lift the door off the center hinge and set it aside. Remove the washer from the hinge pin at the center. Next, use a hex-head socket open-end wrench and loosen the screws on the middle hinge. Once loose, lift the second door from the bottom hinge and set it aside.
Now, use a hex-head wrench and remove the bolts on the bottom hinge. Lift the hinge off the bottom of the refrigerator and keep it in a safe place. Next, move the cabinet hinge hole plugs on top of the refrigerator from the side where you want to move the door. Put the plugs on the side where you just removed the door and secure them.
Use a putty knife to remove the cabinet hole plugs from the top of the other side of the refrigerator where you want to install the door. Insert them in the hinge holes on the side where you removed the doors. Now, remove the flat-head screws on the bottom door handle and use a hex key to remove the screws on the top door handle. Release the handle from the door, lifting off the mounting stud.
Next, unscrew the mounting stud from one side to the opposite one. Then, put the brand tag over the hole created by the mounting stud. Remove the cap from the door handle hole on the opposite side and discard it.
Secure the door stop to the bottom of the doors, ensuring that they are perfectly aligned with the screw holes. Next, fix the bottom hinge to the opposite side and secure it with the screws. Do not completely tighten the screws, but place the washer on top of the hinge pin. Set the bottom door on the hinge pin and keep it steady while you fasten the middle hinge.
Place the washer on the hinge pin at the center and set the screws in place. Secure them but do not completely tighten them. Now, set the top door on the middle hinge and set the top hinge on top of the door, aligning it with the screw holes. Check the door alignment and tighten all the screws on the hinges when everything is in place. Test the doors for looseness and make further adjustments where necessary.
Important Notes
Not all refrigerator doors are reversible. You must determine whether your refrigerator door swing can be changed before deciding to do it. If not, contact Bosch for further assistance. Additionally, there are specific reversal steps that may apply to each model. Therefore check the user manual for detailed door reversal instructions.
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