Just the way the Fridge is made makes the door handles one of the more vulnerable parts of a fridge. The reason why this is so, is that those handles or handle stick out and they can easily be bumped into.
Then the constant opening and closing of the fridge door adds to the stress and strain the handles must endure. No matter which side of the fridge they are on, the door handles are the most vulnerable parts, and they can break when you least expect them to.
When that happens, you need to be ready to replace them and to learn how to do that, just continue to read our article.
Tools Required
- Phillips Head Screwdriver
- New Door Handles
- Cleanser and Soft Cloths
- Instruction or Owner’s Manual, If You Are Not Sure
Replacing the Handles on a Side by Side Fridge
It is possible to change the handles on any fridge without changing their looks. Enough spare parts are made to make sure you can match the new door handles to the color and look of the old fridge with ease.
To change the handles on a side-by-side fridge/freezer you just need to follow some simple steps.
Step 1 – In order to get to the screws holding the handles in place, you need to slide the trim pieces either up or down. This will remove the trim and let you access those screws easily.
Step 2 – Once the trim is off, there should be two screws at the bottom of the handle and two at the top. Most likely, you will need a Phillips head screwdriver to remove those screws. Simply turn the screws in the right direction to remove the handles.
Step 3 – Next, pull the handles off their position and lay them aside. Use some all-purpose cleaner to wipe away any dirt and use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean in this area.
Step 4 – Pick up the new handles and put them in the old handles spot. Make sure to line up the screw holes and place the screws into their slots. Hand turn the screws till they remain in position without help. Then use the screwdriver to tighten them the rest of the way.
Step 5 – Return the trim to their place and hide the screws.
Fridge Door Handle (Not Side by Side Doors)
This repair task may be a little easier as you only have one handle to worry about. it may also be a bit trickier as the design is not the same as the side-by-side handles. Just make sure to work carefully so that you do not break any fragile parts during your work time.
Step 1 – Open the fridge door in order to gain access to the screws holding the handle in place. Those screws should be at the top edge of the door while the freezer door handle screws should be at the bottom edge.
Step 2 – There are only 2 screws holding this handle in place and you need to remove both of them. Then you need to turn the handle about 6 inches away from the fridge door and push it down. This will put the handle in a position so that it can slide off the hidden top screw. To remove the freezer door handle you push up.
Step 3 – Again, you should clean the surface of the door while the handles are off. This keeps your fridge free from germs and other contaminants. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a soft cloth to get the dirt and wipe the area dry.
Step 4 – To put the new handle back on, simply reverse the removal process placing the top of the door handle over the hidden screw and turn back to the original position.
Step 5 – Now line up the screw holes and use your fingers to hand tighten the screws into place. Once in a position where they will remain on their own, use the screwdriver to tighten the screws and lock the handle in place.
Replacing broken fridge door handles should only take a few minutes. The hardest part is just removing the door handles from the hidden screws. But once you have done it once, you should be able to do it without any further instruction.
The key will be to not over tighten the screws. If you do, you run the risk of either stripping the screws or cracking the new door handles. If that happens you either need new screws or another set of new door handles.
Take your time as this job will go fast enough as it is and you want to make sure you get it right.
Please keep in mind that we may receive a small commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
