Proper leveling of the refrigerator and the individual doors ensure efficient operation of the unit. A leveled refrigerator prevents air leakage, which may cause frost buildup around the ice maker and freezer fans. If the refrigerator displays an IF or FF error code, leveling the refrigerator is the best solution. Detailed instructions for leveling refrigerators vary by model, refer to the owner's manual of your unit for the recommended tools and steps for leveling. For your convenience, please visit our Manuals and Documents page for a copy of your owner's manual.
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Please select your type of refrigerator
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If the refrigerator is not leveled, unsteady, vibrating, or the doors are not closing properly; then we need to level it. Use a level on top of your refrigerator to verify if it is leveled.
Which side of the refrigerator is lower than the other?
Freezer Lower Than Refrigerator Refrigerator Lower Than Freezer -
If the freezer compartment door is lower than the refrigerator compartment door, we need to level it.
Tools required:
Flat blade screwdriver
Flare nut wrench
Open end wrench
Steps to follow:
Open both the refrigerator and freezer doors.
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The wheels and leveling feet are always located behind the lower cover (also called a kick plate or toe grille). To access the leveling feet, the lower cover must be removed.
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Remove the screws on the kick plate grille (some models do not have a kick plate, only follow this step if it is applicable).
Remove the kick plate to access the leveling screws.
The side-by-side model has two leveling screws, one on the right, and one on the left.
Level the door by inserting a flat blade screwdriver into the groove of the LEFT leveling leg.
Having someone push backward against the top of the refrigerator takes some weight off of the leveling legs. This makes it easier to adjust the legs.
Turn the leveling leg clockwise to raise the freezer compartment door. It may take several turns of the leveling leg to adjust the tilt of the freezer compartment.
If you prefer to lower freezer compartment; you need to turn the leveling leg counter-clockwise to align with the refrigerator compartment door.
Before we conclude:
Place a level on the top of the refrigerator doors to determine if the individual doors need additional leveling.
Proceed to Next Step -
If the refrigerator compartment door is lower than the freezer compartment door, we need to level it.
Tools required:
Flat blade screwdriver
Flare nut wrench
Open end wrench
Steps to follow:
Open both the refrigerator and freezer doors.
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The wheels and leveling feet are always located behind the lower cover (also called a kick plate or toe grille). To access the leveling feet, the lower cover must be removed.
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Remove the screws on the kick plate grille (some models do not have a kick plate, only follow this step if it is applicable).
Remove the kick plate to access the leveling screws.
The side-by-side model has two leveling screws, one on the right, and one on the left.
Level the door by inserting a flat blade screwdriver into the groove of the RIGHT leveling leg.
Having someone push backward against the top of the refrigerator takes some weight off of the leveling legs. This makes it easier to adjust the legs.
Turn the leveling leg clockwise to raise the freezer compartment door. It may take several turns of the leveling leg to adjust the tilt of the freezer compartment.
If you prefer to lower freezer compartment; you ned to turn the leveling leg counter-clockwise to align with the refrigerator compartment door.
Before we conclude:
Place a level on the top of the refrigerator doors to determine if the individual doors need additional leveling.
Proceed to Next Step -
Place a level on the top of the refrigerator doors to determine if the individual doors need additional leveling.
Are the doors leveled?
Yes No -
Great! Your refrigerator properly is leveled!
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If the doors are still uneven after the refrigerator has been leveled, it takes few steps to adjust the doors.
The right refrigerator door has an adjustable nut. The nut is located on the bottom hinge to raise, lower, and align the door properly. To adjust the height of the doors, use the wrench included with the refrigerator to turn the nut in the door hinge.
Note: Refer to your owner's manual for the specifically recommended wrench. To get a copy of your owner's manual, please visit our Manuals and Documents page.
Tools required:
Flat blade screwdriver
Flare nut wrench
Open end wrench
Steps to follow:
Using the recommended wrench, turn the keeper nut counter-clockwise to loosen the keeper nut.
Using the recommended wrench, turn the adjustment hinge pin clockwise or counterclockwise to level the refrigerator door.
After leveling the door, turn the keeper nut clockwise to tighten it.
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Note: Due to the wide variety of french door models, we recommend that you refer to the owner's manual for specific model instructions.
French door models (either three doors or four doors), have more steps in the leveling process. The first step is to level the unit from left to right, using a level across the top of the cabinet. The second step is to insert snap rings on the hinge pin of the refrigerator door for precise alignment.
For your convenience, please visit our Manuals and Documents page to download a copy of your owner's manual.
Older models of french door solely rely on the leveling feet to align the refrigerator doors. For new models, 2006 and above, snap rings are used to allow more precise door alignment. After the unit is leveled, insert the snap rings on the hinge pin of the refrigerator door to raise the lower door. The new french door model comes with two or three snaps (depending on the model). Insert one at a time until the doors are aligned.
Steps to follow:
Open the freezer drawer.
The wheels and leveling feet are always located behind the lower cover (also called a kick plate or toe grille). To access the leveling feet, the lower cover must be removed.
Remove the screws on the kick plate (some models do not have a kick plate, only follow this step if it is applicable).
Remove the kick plate to access the leveling screws.
Level the refrigerator by using a wrench or a flathead screwdriver. Turn the leveling legs counterclockwise to raise them or clockwise to lower them.
If the refrigerator had frost buildup; allow 72 hours for the defrost cycle to eliminate the frost. For new installations, allow the refrigerator to run for at least four hours before storing food.
Before we conclude:
Place a level on the top of the refrigerator doors to determine if the individual doors need additional leveling.
Proceed to Next Step -
Place a level on the top of the refrigerator doors to determine if the individual doors need additional leveling.
Are the doors leveled?
Yes No -
Great! Your refrigerator properly is leveled!
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Both the left and right doors have an adjustable nut. The nut is located on the bottom hinge to raise, lower, and align the doors properly. To adjust the height of the doors, use the wrench included with the refrigerator to turn the nut in the door hinge.
Steps to follow:
With one hand, lift up both the inner and outer door sections to raise them at the middle hinge (opening the door can make lifting easier).
With the other hand, use pliers to insert the snap ring on the middle hinge of the inner door section as shown. Do not insert the ring on the hinge of the outer door section.
Insert additional snap rings until the right door is aligned.
Be careful when using the snap ring, do not use it on the outer door hinge (use it only on the inner door hinge). Using the snap ring on the outer door hinge can cause the door not to open and close properly.
NOTE: Some specific models produced from 2008 and above have an AUTO CLOSING HINGE feature. For units with this feature, snap rings are no longer used to align the doors. After the unit is leveled with the leveling feet, use the wrench supplied with the unit to adjust the door height. Turn the bolt in the door hinge counterclockwise to raise the door or clockwise to lower the door.
Before we conclude:
Once the unit is leveled, check the freezer door to ensure it is aligned properly, and there are no gaps between the freezer door and the cabinet.
Do you see any gap between the freezer door and the cabinet?
Yes No -
If you see any unnecessary gap, make sure that all the screws attaching the door to the guide rail are inserted and tightened properly.
Some models have a torsion bar added to the freezer door guide rails. If the freezer door is recently removed, or re-installed, the torsion bar might not be aligned properly. This will result in the freezer door having a gap.
How to re-align the torsion bar:
Open the door and close it firmly (two or three times). This will re-align the torsion bar and the freezer door.
This should be done strongly and firmly, but carefully. The handle should be grasped firmly in the middle with both hands.
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Great! Your refrigerator properly is leveled!
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To level a bottom mount unit, we need to adjust the leveling feet until the unit is leveled from left to right. For your convenience, watch the video below or follow the simple step-by-step guide below.
Tools required:
Flat blade screwdriver
Flare nut wrench
Open end wrench
Step-by-step guide:
Open the freezer drawer.
The wheels and leveling feet are always located behind the lower cover (also called a kick plate or toe grille). To access the leveling feet, the lower cover must be removed.
Remove the screws on the kick plate (some models do not have a kick plate, only follow this step if it is applicable).
Remove the kick plate to access the leveling screws.
Level the refrigerator by using a wrench or a flathead screwdriver. Turn the leveling legs counterclockwisely to raise them or clockwise to lower them.
Check the level and repeat the process. The door should shut by itself when opened at a 45-degree angle.
Have someone hold the freezer door, so that the space between the two doors is even, and re-tighten the top hinge bolts if needed.
If the refrigerator had frost buildup; allow 72 hours for the defrost cycle to eliminate the frost. For new installations, allow the refrigerator to run for at least four hours before storing food.
Before we conclude:
Once the unit is leveled, place back the kick plate, check the freezer door to ensure that it is aligned properly, and there is no gap between the freezer door and the cabinet.
Do you see any gap between the freezer door and the cabinet?
Yes No -
If you see any gap, make sure that all the screws attaching the door to the guide rail are inserted and tightened properly.
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Great! Your refrigerator properly is leveled!
Tips for proper leveling:
There are four wheels on the unit. The two in the back can move from front to back, while two in the front can move and turn to the sides. There are only two leveling feet, and they are positioned in front of the two front wheels.
- To avoid vibration, the unit must be leveled. If required, adjust the leveling legs to compensate for unevenness of the floor.
- The leveling legs can be turned easily by having someone push the unit against the wall to remove some weight off the feet. Turn the leveling legs clockwise to raise the unit, or counterclockwise to lower it.
- The refrigerator must not have any side tilt, use the front legs to balance each side.
- Tilt the refrigerator slightly to the rear (by turning both leveling screws clockwise) to ensure that the doors close easily without a push.
- To achieve a balanced rear tilt, turn the leveling screws at the same amount of rotation.
- The door should shut by itself when opened at a 45-degree angle.
- If you are having difficulties with lowering the legs, lightly tilt the refrigerator backward, and place a wooden block under the front edge.
- If the refrigerator had frost buildup; allow up to 72 hours for the defrost cycle to eliminate the frost. For new installations, allow the refrigerator to run for at least 4 hours before storing food.
Sanmi is a Home Appliance expert and author of this help library article. Please leave him feedback below about the page.
