4 Reasons Why Your Freezer Door Is Not Sealing

We’ve all been there at one point or another. You’re about to open the freezer to prepare your favourite meal when you notice a gap. The door wasn’t fully closed, and now your food isn’t as cold as it should be — or worse, it’s gone bad.

We understand that this can be a frustrating situation. Fortunately, it’s one that’s not hard to fix. If your freezer door is not sealing, read on to troubleshoot the problem:

Reason 1: Malfunctioning Door Gasket Seal

The seal, or gasket, around your freezer door helps keep the cold air in so your food stays fresh.

A defective seal will prevent the appliance from properly freezing your food. It may also cause an increase in your electricity bills because your freezer will work harder to stay cold.

How to Fix It

A seal is a strip of rubber that fits into a groove around a freezer’s door edge. If the gasket loosens from the groove, you’ll have to push it back in.

Begin by taking your hand and running it along the edges of the door when it’s shut. If you feel a surge of cold air, good news, you’ve located the loose area.

Use a cotton swab to push a little petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) into the groove below the loose rubber. This makes it easier to push the rubber back into place and also seals air leaks. Lastly, push the seal back into place.

Reason 2: Dirty Seal

If your freezer door is not sealing, it may be a sign that you have a dirty gasket. A lot of refrigerator door issues can be attributed to the gasket, the rubber seal that wraps around the outside of the fridge and, freezer doors.

If the gasket is full of debris, it won’t let your freezer door shut properly. Thankfully, there is a way to resolve this issue.

How to Fix It

In a bowl, mix warm water with a little dishwashing soap. Grab a toothbrush and dip it into the liquid, then scrub the gasket clean. Make sure to get all the grime off before wiping the area with a damp towel.

We also recommend wiping the area once a week to prevent grime from growing on the seal.

Reason 3: Gasket Needs Reattachment

Older gaskets may become twisted or detached from frequently opening and closing your freezer door.

How to Fix It

You may be able to repair a seal that’s become unattached or twisted. However, realignment will depend on the appliance model. For instance, some seals are connected with adhesive tape, while others use gasket cement, a type of glue for freezer door seals.

Reason 4: Seal Needs Replacement

If your seal is past repair, you’ll need to replace it. It’s beyond repair if it’s cracked, torn, bent, or hard instead of pliable.

How to Fix It

A good rule of thumb for telling if your seal isn’t sealing is the paper test. Start by placing a piece of paper between the gasket and freezer, then shut the door and pull. If the paper slips outs, it’s time for a freezer seal replacement.

You can either call a professional service or replace it yourself. If you choose the DIY route, take the new seal out of the packaging and soak it in warm water for about 10 minutes while you remove the old one. This makes the seal more pliable for installation and straightens any bends created ~~from~~ by the packaging.

Lastly, wipe the gasket dry with a cloth before installing it. Install the gasket as instructed on the package, consulting your appliance manual as needed. If you run into trouble, give us a call.

FAQs about Freezer Door Maintenance

Why is my freezer door not sealing?

Your freezer door may not be sealing for a variety of reasons (such as a defective door seal, dirty gasket, or one of the other reasons listed above). We recommend calling your local Mr. Appliance if you’re having trouble identifying or fixing the issue.

How do I know if my freezer door seal is bad?

We recommend doing the paper test to see if your seal is in good condition. Place a piece of paper between the gasket and freezer before closing the door, and then pull on it. It may be time for a freezer door gasket replacement if the paper slips out.

Does Vaseline help a freezer door seal?

Petroleum jelly such as Vaseline is great at softening a gasket that’s dried up because it creates a durable seal around the door of your freezer. It won’t repair damage like cracks or tears, but it can temporarily seal the gasket until it can be replaced.

Our Technicians Can Repair Your Freezer Door

Your freezer is extremely vital for food preservation. Without it, you’ll be left with food that needs to be thrown away. If your freezer doesn’t seal, our service technicians can identify the cause and find a solution.

Learn more about our freezer repair service and how you can get your appliance back up and running.