Newer refrigerator models come with lock functions to curb too much usage of the unit. But if you are unfamiliar with a refrigerator lock, you may find yourself locked out of your refrigerator.
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How to Unlock a Refrigerator Lock
You can unlock most refrigerators with locks by simply finding and pressing the lock button on the control panel. Hold the button for about three seconds; you will hear the panel beep as the lock button, typically a padlock icon, is no longer lit.
However, parts of the refrigerator, such as the dispenser, can also have a lock function. It is not every refrigerator model that comes with this feature. Samsung refrigerator, for example, has a few models with a dispenser lock.
To unlock the dispenser, you will have to press the lock button three times within ten seconds. For the child lock, push the Ice Off button for about three seconds. Everything except the dispensers and Ice Off button becomes deactivated.
How to Make a Refrigerator Lock
There are different ways to make a refrigerator lock, and we explain them below:
1. Electronic Control Lock
If your refrigerator has a control panel in front, it may have a lock feature. It usually looks like a padlock, and you have to press and hold the pad for about three seconds to lock the refrigerator. In the lock mode, the dispensers and buttons don’t work.
2. Key Lock
This type of lock is an actual lock, where two metal pieces are attached to the door and side of the refrigerator. You join the two pieces, and they meet in the middle, then you secure them using a deadbolt and key. It is not the typical lock for home refrigerators. You will find them in stores or facilities that need to store scientific materials or prescriptions for sale.
3. Safety Lock
A safety lock usually employs a latch and a housing. The latch is installed on the door while the housing stays on the side of the refrigerator. Once you close the door, the lock engages. This type of lock is best in homes where there are children and toddlers. It keeps them from crawling into the refrigerator and locking themselves inside it.
If you are storing a refrigerator for an extended period, consider using tape to secure both doors or to tape the door to the refrigerator’s side. Do this even if you already have a lock installed. The locked door may encourage mildew to grow, but it keeps children and animals from getting inside without supervision. And leave the refrigerator upright; laying it on its side or back will cause the compressor oil to leak into the cooling lines and permanently damage the refrigerator.
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Can You Put a Lock on a Refrigerator?
You could put a lock on a refrigerator if it did not come equipped with one. Purchase one from a hardware store, just like you would buy a child lock. But ensure you follow the installation instructions from the manufacturer so that you will do an excellent job of installing it. You will also find different locks for different purposes, whether you are child-proofing your home or locking the refrigerator for general purposes.
How to Put a Lock on a Refrigerator
To put a lock on your refrigerator, do the following:
Check the doors of the refrigerator to be sure they are flush and aligned. The lock you choose won’t work if the doors are out of alignment or are not flush. If they are not flush, adjust the doors’ surface level using the spacers that come with the lock. Once you achieve the level you need, clean off the debris on the doors that may keep the adhesive on the lock from working.
Next, peel off the paper covering the lock’s adhesive side. Make sure the lock is latched before firmly pressing it onto the door. Set it at a level that a child won’t easily reach. Then, when it is secure on the door, unlatch it and leave it that way for about 24 hours. It gives the adhesive the time to reach its full strength. Afterward, unlatch it and use it as you need.
Before putting a lock on a refrigerator, you must decide where you want it to be. As much as you want to place it higher than a child can reach, you also want to make it easily accessible to every adult. You can safely install a lock in different positions: top of the refrigerator, on the front, or to the side. Also, choose a lock that is not complex unless complexity is part of your specific needs.
Refrigerator Not Locking – What to Do
Open the door of the refrigerator and look inside. There may be one or more items sticking out of place and holding the door open. Rearrange the items on the shelves and check the racks to be sure they are sitting properly.
Then, check the door. Storing too many items in the door may make it too heavy to close and lock. Keep the refrigerator only half full and the door as light as possible.
Also, check how level the refrigerator is. Poor leveling can cause minor errors, including an inability to lock the door. If you have a hard time closing and locking the refrigerator, it may be that the door is not aligning. And one way to fix it is to level the refrigerator. Your user manual should have instructions on how to balance your unit according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Do Refrigerator Wheels Lock?
Some refrigerators have wheels you can lock so they don’t roll. However, most refrigerators don’t have such wheels. Owners tend to improvise when they find that their refrigerators roll or move. Some fashion locks with metal items, while others use wedges.
If you are wondering whether or not your refrigerator has wheels that lock, check the user manual for clues. But if the manual shows nothing on wheel locks, contact the manufacturer to find out if it does.
If your refrigerator does not have wheels that lock, take the cover at the bottom off, and push the leveling feet down. Do it so that they meet the floor. That way, they ground the refrigerator and keep it from moving or rolling. It is the same effect as locking the wheels.
Recap
A refrigerator lock is one way to keep children from locking themselves inside the unit. It is also a way to reduce the excessive usage of the refrigerator. So, if your refrigerator does not have a lock, consider purchasing one and installing it yourself. Such locks are usually inexpensive and easy to install. Follow the installation instructions on the label, and you will do an excellent job.
However, if you are unsure of doing the job yourself, hire a service agent or get a friend to help you. And if the refrigerator does not lock, check the door, contents, and leveling of the refrigerator. Also, you may have to disconnect the refrigerator from power before installing the lock.
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