- Warm interior: If your refrigerator door is not sealing properly, the most obvious symptom is that the fridge interior will be too warm.
- Condensation: If warm air is seeping into your fridge, you will end up with high humidity and condensation inside the refrigerator itself. That means dairy and fresh produce spoiling faster, extra work for the condenser to do, and even leaks from all the excess moisture.
- Fridge constantly running: Refrigerators don't need to run constantly. There should be times when the fridge is at or below its target temperature, and everything goes quiet. If your fridge runs constantly, it could be a sign that the gasket is allowing warm air inside—and cold air to escape.
Overview
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A FAULTY FRIDGE DOOR SEAL?
HOW DO YOU TEST A REFRIGERATOR DOOR SEAL?
- Start by conducting a simple visual inspection. Take a close look all around the refrigerator and freezer gasket. You're looking for any spot where the gasket is not completely flush with the either the fridge door or the main unit. Mold, crumbs, and other small food debris could be enough to spoil the airtight seal.
- Close the refrigerator door on a $1 bill or small piece of paper, trapping it between the gasket and fridge. Slowly pull the paper out. You should feel some tension as you do so; if not, the gasket may be weak or broken at this point. Repeat this test around the whole of the gasket’s length.
- Some cracks and splits may be difficult to detect unless you get hands-on. Open the door and check the whole of the inner edge of the gasket closely, using your fingers to gently extend the gasket and look for damage within the folds.
HOW DO YOU FIX A REFRIGERATOR DOOR SEAL?
If dirt or debris is preventing your fridge door from sealing properly, all you have to do is give it a thorough (but gentle) cleaning. Use warm soapy water and a soft dishcloth to carefully wipe down the gasket and the surface it seals against. Take care to gently open the folds of the gasket to remove any crumbs.
If the gasket is cracked, split, or warped, you will likely need to replace it. (Genuine GE Appliances refrigerator parts can be ordered online through our parts and accessories store.) Removing the old gasket should be fairly simple—it's probably attached by a few hidden screws. Make sure the replacement gasket has had a chance to warm up and assume its correct shape after shipping. Tip: Heat the new gasket slightly with a hair dryer or a heat gun on a low setting to make it more flexible.
Prefer to have a professional take care of it? Simply book an appointment with one of our local specialists and we'll likely get the job done in just one visit.*
*GE Appliances technicians carry an extensive parts inventory on their service trucks. In the event a part is not available on the service truck, a follow-up service call may be required.
