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Time Required

10-15 minutes

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Difficulty

beginner

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Tools Needed

Bubble level, Adjustable wrench or pliers, Shims (if needed)

⚠️ Safety Tips for How to Level Your Refrigerator

•Refrigerators are heavy; be careful and get assistance if you need to tilt or move it to access the legs
•Do not lay the fridge completely flat when adjusting legs – a slight tilt is enough to take weight off a leg
•Unplug the refrigerator if you must move it significantly to adjust the back leveling wheels or legs

# How to Level Your Refrigerator

An unlevel refrigerator can lead to doors that don’t close properly, internal water leaks, or excess noise. Fortunately, adjusting the leveling legs is quick and easy.

## Why Leveling Matters

- Keeps doors sealing tightly so cold air doesn't escape
- Prevents vibration and rattling noises during operation
- Allows the condensate (defrost water) to drain properly to the pan

## Step-by-Step Instructions: Level Your Refrigerator

Most refrigerators have two adjustable front legs (and sometimes adjustable rollers). Follow these steps to level your fridge.

Step-by-Step Guide for How to Level Your Refrigerator

Check Current Level

Place a bubble level inside the fridge or on top of it. Check side-to-side level and front-to-back level. Many fridges are designed to be level side-to-side, and slightly tilted back (front slightly higher) so doors swing closed.

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If you don’t have a level, you can use a round object (like a pen) on the refrigerator floor. If it doesn’t roll, the fridge is reasonably level.

Access the Leveling Legs

Remove the front grille or kickplate at the bottom of the fridge (if present) to expose the leveling legs. On some models, the legs are accessible without removing any panel.

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If the fridge has wheels, you might need to lower the wheels and use shims or screw-down stabilizers after moving it into place.

Adjust One Leg at a Time

Using an adjustable wrench or pliers, turn one front leveling leg. Clockwise (right) usually raises that corner of the fridge; counterclockwise (left) lowers it. Make small adjustments (a few turns).

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Avoid unscrewing a leveling leg too far out. If it comes out entirely, the fridge could drop suddenly on that corner.

Level Side-to-Side

Adjust the left or right leg until the refrigerator is level from side to side according to your level tool. Check the bubble or test object and re-adjust as necessary.

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It’s often easiest to adjust until the fridge is very slightly tilted back, but even left-to-right.

Tilt Back Slightly

If not already done, ensure the front of the fridge is slightly higher than the back (about 1/4 inch or 6 mm). This subtle tilt helps the doors close by themselves. Adjust both front legs equally to achieve this backward tilt.

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Use shims under rear legs or wheels if they are not adjustable, to achieve the desired tilt.

Test Stability and Door Closing

Give the fridge a gentle push. It should not rock significantly. Open the doors halfway and let go — they should gently close on their own if the tilt is set correctly. Reattach the kickplate if you removed it.

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Listen for any rattling once the fridge is running again. If you hear vibration, check that all legs are firmly on the floor and add rubber pads if needed to dampen noise.

🔧 When to Call a Professional for How to Level Your Refrigerator

A professional can repair or replace damaged leveling feet, or find other causes of instability. They can also ensure your compressor and other components are properly mounted if noise persists despite a level installation.

Ready for expert help? Review our Appliance Repair Orlando coverage to see neighborhoods we serve.

Signs it's time to call us for How to Level Your Refrigerator

•The leveling legs are rusted, stuck, or broken and cannot be adjusted
•Your floor is extremely uneven requiring a lot of shims and the fridge still wobbles
•There’s persistent vibration noise even after leveling (could indicate an internal issue)

Schedule Professional Refrigerator Service

How to Level Your Refrigerator