If your fridge is running but not cooling, or it’s making strange noises and the food’s going bad faster than usual, you’re not alone. Around 40% of all refrigerator repairs in New Zealand involve one single part - the door seal. It’s the rubber gasket that lines the edges of your fridge and freezer doors. It looks simple, but when it wears out, your entire cooling system starts to struggle.
Why the Door Seal Breaks First
The door seal isn’t made to last forever. It’s flexed open and closed dozens of times a day. Over time, it gets brittle from cold, stretched from overloading the door, or cracked from food spills and cleaning chemicals. In Wellington’s damp climate, mold and mildew build up quickly in the crevices, making the seal stick or warp. Once it loses its grip, cold air leaks out and warm, moist air sneaks in.
That’s when your fridge starts working harder. The compressor runs longer. The evaporator coil freezes up. Energy bills creep up. And you start thinking you need a new fridge - when all you need is a $25 seal replacement.
How to Tell If Your Door Seal Is Bad
You don’t need a technician to check this. Try the paper test. Close the door on a dollar bill or a piece of printer paper halfway across the seal. Try to pull it out. If it slides out easily with no resistance, the seal is worn. Do this at all four sides. If any spot feels loose, that’s your problem.
Other signs:
- Condensation or frost forming on the outside of the door
- Mold growing around the seal edge
- The door feels like it’s not closing flush - you can see a gap
- Your fridge runs constantly, even when it’s not full
These aren’t signs of a failing compressor. They’re signs your seal isn’t doing its job.
What Happens When the Seal Fails
When cold air escapes, your fridge doesn’t just get warmer - it gets humid inside. That moisture freezes on the evaporator coils behind the back panel. Ice builds up, blocking airflow. The fan can’t circulate cold air. The thermostat keeps telling the compressor to run. And eventually, the compressor overheats.
That’s why people think their compressor is broken. They hear it clicking on and off, or it’s louder than usual. But 7 out of 10 times, replacing the seal fixes everything. The compressor resets itself once the seal is tight and the system stops overworking.
Other Common Repairs - And Why They’re Less Frequent
Yes, other parts fail. But not as often as the door seal.
- Evaporator fan: This fan blows cold air from the freezer into the fridge. If it stops, the fridge side gets warm while the freezer stays cold. It’s the second most common repair, but it’s usually caused by ice buildup from a bad seal.
- Thermostat: A faulty thermostat can make the fridge run nonstop or not at all. But modern fridges use electronic controls that rarely fail unless there’s a power surge.
- Compressor: This is the heart of the fridge. If it dies, repair costs often exceed $600 - close to the price of a new fridge. But compressors last 10-15 years. They don’t just quit unless the fridge has been abused.
- Condenser coils: These get dusty and overheat. Cleaning them helps, but it’s not a repair - it’s maintenance. Most people forget to do it.
The door seal is the weak link. It’s the only part that wears out from normal use. Everything else fails because of neglect or because the seal failed first.
How to Replace a Door Seal (DIY Guide)
You can do this yourself in under an hour. Here’s how:
- Unplug the fridge.
- Remove the old seal. Most seals snap or screw into place. Look for small screws along the corners or edges. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry it loose.
- Soak the new seal in warm water for 10 minutes. This makes it flexible and easier to install.
- Start at one corner and press the new seal into the groove. Work slowly around the door. Don’t stretch it.
- Reattach any screws or clips. Make sure it’s seated all the way.
- Plug the fridge back in. Close the door and check for gaps. Do the paper test again.
You can buy replacement seals online by entering your fridge model number. Brands like Fisher & Paykel, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool all have universal or model-specific seals. Prices range from $20 to $50.
Prevention Tips to Make Your Seal Last Longer
- Wipe the seal with a damp cloth and mild soap every month. Don’t use bleach or harsh cleaners.
- Don’t slam the door. Let it close gently.
- Don’t overload the door shelves. That puts pressure on the seal.
- Check for ice buildup in the freezer. If the freezer is packed with frost, the seal is likely leaking.
- Replace the seal every 5-7 years, even if it looks okay. Rubber degrades over time.
When to Call a Technician
Replace the seal first. If the fridge still isn’t cooling after that, then it’s time to call someone. But don’t jump to the compressor. Check these next:
- Is the evaporator fan running? Listen near the freezer back wall. You should hear a soft hum.
- Is there frost on the back panel? If yes, the defrost timer or heater might be broken.
- Are the condenser coils dusty? Clean them with a brush or vacuum.
If none of those fix it, then yes - you might have a compressor or control board issue. But those are rare. And expensive. Don’t assume the worst. Start with the seal.
Real-World Example: A Wellington Fridge That Almost Got Replaced
A customer in Miramar called last year because her 8-year-old Fisher & Paykel fridge wasn’t cooling. The freezer was fine, but the fridge side was at 12°C. She was ready to buy a new one. We replaced the door seal - it was cracked and covered in black mold. The new seal cost $38. Two hours later, the fridge was back at 3°C. She saved $1,200.
That’s not unusual. It happens every week.
Is a bad door seal the most common refrigerator repair?
Yes. Across North America, Europe, and New Zealand, door seal failure is the number one repair for refrigerators. It’s more common than compressor, fan, or thermostat issues because the seal is exposed to constant wear, moisture, and temperature changes. Most fridges need a new seal between 5 and 10 years.
Can a bad seal cause the compressor to fail?
Absolutely. When the seal leaks, the compressor runs longer and hotter to keep up. This extra strain can burn out the motor over time. Many compressor failures are actually caused by years of poor sealing, not a faulty compressor itself.
How much does it cost to replace a refrigerator door seal?
The seal itself costs between $20 and $50, depending on the brand and model. If you do it yourself, that’s your only cost. If you hire a technician, labor adds $80-$150. But most repair techs will tell you to try replacing the seal first - it’s the cheapest fix with the highest success rate.
Why does my fridge door feel sticky or hard to close?
That’s usually mold, food residue, or a warped seal. Clean the seal with warm water and dish soap. If it still sticks after cleaning, the rubber has hardened or lost its shape. A new seal will fix it. Don’t force the door - that can damage the hinges or the seal further.
Should I replace both the fridge and freezer seals at the same time?
Not necessarily. The freezer seal often lasts longer because it’s colder and less exposed to spills. But if one is worn out and the fridge is over 7 years old, it’s smart to replace both. They’re usually the same age, and replacing them together saves you from doing it again in 6 months.
Next Steps
If your fridge isn’t cooling right, don’t panic. Don’t start shopping for a new one. Do the paper test. Check the seal. Clean it. Replace it if needed. That simple step fixes most problems. And if it doesn’t? Then you’ll know exactly what to look for next - and you won’t be overpaying for a repair that wasn’t needed.