Is your refrigerator light out? Or does it have a leak?

We want to help. Let’s look at some reasons for door, light and leakage issues – and how to fix them.

Door issues

Doors not aligned
Door misalignment can result in improper closing or sealing of doors. This can lead to temperature fluctuation and frost build-up.

Here are some reasons your doors could be out of alignment.

Refrigerator is not level
First make sure the refrigerator is on level ground. If not, you may need to use level shims. Use a level to make sure the refrigerator is level all the way around. For more information on leveling, refer to your refrigerator’s use and care guide.

Door storage
Adding food items to refrigerator doors will actually help to align them, as they’re built to adjust for the extra weight added by food.

Doors are not adjusted properly
Instructions on door adjusting should be found in your refrigerator’s use and care guide.

Door is hard to open
Here are some possible reasons for this:

Door was just opened
When the door is opened, cold air flows out and warm, humid air flows in. When the door is closed, that mixture of warm and cold air can create a vacuum. This is more likely to happen during the summer. If the door seems stuck, wait a minute and then try opening it again.

Gaskets are dirty
This can keep the doors from opening and closing properly. It can also keep the doors from sealing. To clean the gaskets, use warm water and a mild detergent with a sponge or soft cloth, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth. You can also rub a thin coat of paraffin wax over the gaskets after cleaning to make sure they don’t stick again.

Light not working

Let’s look at some reasons this could be happening.

Door has been open for an extended period of time
If the door has been open for over 10 minutes, the interior lights may automatically shut off.

Door switch has not been activated
The switch is activated when the door is opened and closed. If the switch is not being engaged properly, it could cause the interior lights to remain off. Make sure the refrigerator is level, doors are properly aligned, and there are no magnets or electronic devices within three inches of the door switch.

The wiring harness has been unplugged
If the doors of your refrigerator were removed for moving purposes, check to make sure the wiring plug is properly connected. You’ll find this under the top hinge cover. For complete instructions on how to remove the hinge cover and the wiring plug, see your refrigerator’s use and care guide.

Refrigerator is in Sabbath mode
When this feature is selected, the control panel lights, interior lights, and control audio all turn off, while the temperature set points remain unchanged. For most efficient operation, it is recommended to exit this mode as soon as it is no longer required.

If Sabbath mode has been turned on accidentally, refer to your refrigerator’s use and care guide for instructions on exiting this mode.

Bulb needs to be replaced
Most new refrigerators are equipped with LED light bulbs that don’t need replacing. However, if your refrigerator or freezer compartment has a traditional light bulb, see if it’s loose in the socket and needs to be tightened. If the bulb needs to be replaced, use an appliance bulb of the same size, shape, and wattage.