How To Fix A Refrigerator Door That's Sweating

Leaky or damaged door seals can create excess moisture that is visible near the air outlet ducts or on shelves in the freezer. Damaged gaskets can also prevent doors from closing properly and may introduce enough moisture into the refrigerator that defrost issues may occur. Moisture along the edge of the door is a good indication that the gaskets are not sealing properly and should be replaced. They can be tested by using a piece of paper and placing it at various points along the door. Close the door normally and slide the paper out. If the paper slides out without any resistance then the gasket is probably defective and will need replacing.

When activated, the ice dispenser door opens so that ice can be dispensed from the icemaker. The door or flapper is normally spring loaded and will have a vinyl or foam rubber seal attached to prevent room air from entering the refrigerator. If there is moisture around the front of the dispenser or if there is signs of moisture in the ice bin area, then this would indicate that the door is not closing completely. The flapper door is hinged and is normally operated by a solenoid with a return spring and often with a damper to slow the closing action to prevent the door from closing on an ice cube.

These parts can be checked by removing the dispenser cover and inspecting their operation. Inspect the hinges of the door, the seal on the door and the pivot mechanism that the door hinges mount in, as well as the return spring, solenoid plunger and linkage and the damper. The door should open and close freely without any binding. Replace any of the defective parts.

In some models of side-by-side refrigerators, closer cams on the lower door hinges are used to assist in closing the doors. The cams are made of hard plastic or nylon and have sloped shoulders on them that mate together. One cam is mounted to the bottom of the door and the other is mounted to the top of the hinge. When the door is opened, the door cam rotates up out of the hinge cam, lifting the door up and a detent allows it to stay in an open position. When closing the door, the weight of the door actually forces the door to pivot closed as the cams mate together. If either of these cams is broken then the door may not close tightly. This would allow warm outside air to enter the refrigerator and cause condensation to form. If the doors do not close properly, check the closer cams to verify that they are not cracked or broken.

Fresh food and freezer doors rotate on hinges. The hinges act as bearings and the doors should pivot easily on them. If the hinges become worn or dry of lubricant, they may prevent the doors from closing completely. This could allow room air into the refrigerator and cause moisture problems. A common symptom of a faulty hinge bearing is when opening or closing the door a thumping and/or scraping noise can be heard. Replace any worn hinges and make sure that the hinge is properly lubricated with food safe grease.