How To Change Kenmore Refrigerator Light Bulb

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out light bulb in a Sub-Zero 500 series refrigerator or freezer including the part numbers.

Sub-Zero 550 Refrigerator
Lens Cover & Four Lights
Rear Edge of Lens Cover This home appliance maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the Sub-Zero 550 in replacing a burnt out light bulb in the refrigerator section of the appliance.

Owners of other Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer models, wine coolers or Wolf brand appliances such as the 501F, 501R, 511, 542, 532, 561, 590, 600 series, 661, 611, 611G, 650 and 650G may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) light bulbs were 75W (watt) units.

SubZero currently recommends using 40W 120V T6 1/2 (T6.5) E17 intermediate sized threaded base bulbs.

A few compatible replacement 40 watt light bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Sub-Zero 7014647, Feit Electric 5300136187 and TacParts B01KGNOINK.

No tools are needed to access and replace the light bulbs.

Right Rear Corner
Gently Pull Forward
Releasing Rear Edge

The very first step is to unplug the refrigerator or turn off the breaker switch at the home's electrical panel.

The next two steps are to open the refrigerator door and then clear off any breakable glass or fragile items from the top shelf.

Then use both of your hands to gently pull on the crevice or channel that runs along near the back edge of the translucent white plastic lens cover.

Continue pulling the lens cover forward until it flexes enough for you to remove the rear edge from its slot and past the two silver metal screws.

Rear Edge Released
Gently Lower Back of Lens
Pull Out Lip At Front Edge Lower the rear edge of the lens cover towards the top shelf.

Then move the lens cover forward away from yourself and towards the back of the fridge.

Slip the front edge of the lens cover out of its slot.

Lens Cover Removed
Four Old Light Bulbs
Burnt Out Lamps Set the lens cover aside in a safe place.

Carefully remove the burnt out light bulbs by twisting them in the counterclockwise direction.

If you have trouble loosening the old bulbs, I highly recommend putting on protective gloves to protect your fingers from being cut just in case the old bulbs shatter or break off the metal base.

Old 75W (Watt) Bulbs
Loosen Counterclockwise
Old Light Bulb Removed (If the old bulb does break off the metal base, immediately stop and double check that the refrigerator is unplugged from the wall socket. Then put on a pair of gloves and use a pair of needle nose pliers with rubber insulated handles to remove the metal base of the old bulb.)
Old Light Bulbs Removed
Empty Bulb Sockets If you suspect that your old light bulbs are still good and that you instead have a problem with the refrigerator door light switch being faulty, test the old light bulbs by installing them in to one of the two freezer light bulb sockets.

Insert the new 40W T6 1/2 E17 base bulbs in to the sockets and rotate them in the clockwise direction until are fully seated.

Try to avoid over tightening the bulbs to prevent from cracking the new bulbs, breaking them off their metal bases or damaging the plastic sockets.

If you'd like to upgrade your bulbs to brighter and longer lasting units, here are some E17 Base LED Bulbs.

A few tubular shaped E17 LED bulbs that might be compatible include the Kakanuo E17 LED, KINGSO E17 5W LED and the U xcell E17 Socket 5W 64 LED.

Re-Insert Front Edge Lip
Front Edge Secured
Slide Lip In To Place To re-install the lens cover, first re-insert the lip at the front edge in to the slot.

Then raise the rear side of the lens cover.

Gently Flex Rear Edge
Re-Attach Rear of Lens
Four New Light Bulbs! Gently flex the lens cover by pulling the back side towards yourself until the rear lip can be raised past the two screw heads and in to the slot at the rear of the refrigerator.

Double check that the lens cover is securely in place.

Enjoy the bright and clear view of your food!

If you need to replace a burnt out freezer light bulb, they are easily accessible with out needing to remove a lens cover.

600 Series Owners - To remove the light diffuser (lens cover), follow these steps. 1. Place your two hands under the lens cover and release the two clips on the back edge. The clips are tabs that should be pulled or rotated down. 2. Lift the lens cover up and slide it toward the rear of the refrigerator until the slots on the side of the light cover drop past the mounting studs on the side walls. 3. Remove the light shield and set it aside in a safe place.

For more, check out all of my other Home DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.