How to Level a Whirlpool Refrigerator

Leveling a Whirlpool fridge is an important part of the installation. If the refrigerator is not level, the doors may open too quickly or slam shut on their own. On the front two legs of the refrigerator, Whirlpool includes leveling bolts to raise or lower the legs and properly level the unit. To access the leveling bolts, you may need to remove the bottom grill.

Before you begin, make sure that you have the following on hand:

You may also be able to use a Whirlpool door alignment tool, if you have one, or fridge leveling feet, if necessary, to help with this process.

Open the refrigerator and freezer doors to a 90-degree angle. Grasp the sides of the bottom grill, and then lift and tilt the top of the grill toward you to remove it.

Remove the bracket covers that hold the grill in place, if leveling a side-by-side or freezer-on-top model. Insert a pencil eraser into the notch on the inside-facing side on the bracket and apply downward pressure. Gently pull on the bracket while applying pressure to remove.

Place a level on top of the refrigerator to determine the level of the unit. Check the alignment both vertically and horizontally.

Locate the leveling nuts at the bottom of the Whirlpool refrigerator, in the space covered by the grill. Side-by-side, freezer-on-top and a few freezer-drawer models have only one nut on each side. Most freezer-drawer refrigerators have two nuts on each side, either horizontal (side by side) or vertical (above one another).

The top or left nut raises and lowers the rear of the refrigerator, while the bottom or right nut raises and lowers the front. The nut on a side-by-side or freezer-on-top model adjusts both the front and rear of the refrigerator, and the nut on single-nut freezer drawer models adjusts the rear of the refrigerator – adjust the front using the leveling leg.

Turn the nuts clockwise to raise the individual leg or side of the refrigerator and counterclockwise to lower the individual leg or side. For single-nut freezer-drawer models, have a partner lean against the refrigerator to remove the weight from the leveling leg, and then turn the leveling leg clockwise to raise the front or counterclockwise to lower the front. Continue adjusting the nuts and legs until the refrigerator is at the desired height and is level both horizontally and vertically.

Open and close the refrigerator and freezer doors to ensure they open and close properly. Then, turn the brake foot on each side of the front of the refrigerator clockwise until it is securely on the ground to prevent the refrigerator from rocking back and forth.

Replace the bottom grill brackets, if necessary, by snapping them back into place. Reinstall the bottom grill by inserting the tabs on the bottom and sides of the grill into the slots, and then snapping the top of the grill into position.