A Loose Handle on a Maytag Freezer

Causes

• A loosened screw is the most common cause of a loose freezer handle. This happens when you pull the door open too hard or slam it shut. This could cause the screws holding the handle to the door come loose or even strip the thread. You must remove the handles and either tighten or replace the screws. The method for removing the handles is different depending on whether your Maytag freezer has plastic or metal handles.

Fixing Metal Handles

• Locate the two screws either on the side or on the bottom of your freezer's handle. The position of the screws depends on the orientation of the handles; vertical handles have their screws on the side while horizontal handles have their screws on the bottom. Use a 3/32 inch Allen wrench to tight the screws and see if that fixes the problem. Remove the screws and pull off the handle if it still seems loose. Examine the screws to see if they are stripped and replace them if necessary. The threading in your handle may be stripped if it still feels loose after tightening and you may need to order a replacement from Maytag.

Fixing Plastic

• Plastic handles are not screwed directly into the freezer door and are instead mounted on plastic brackets. Pull the handle up and out to remove it from the brackets if it is a vertical handle or to the left and up if it is a horizontal handle. There are two screws holding a metal clip into each end of the handle that could potentially be loose. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver and put the handle back on to see if that solves your problem. Replace the screws if the handle still feels loose and replace the handle if it still feels loose after that.

Prevention

• The screws and the threading on the handles will inevitably go bad over time, but this should take several years with normal use. Tighten the handle screws every few months to ensure they are properly secured and close and open the door gently to prevent stressing out the screws and mounting brackets. It may be difficult to replace handles on older Maytag freezer models that have been discontinued, so treat your unit with care and respect.