How Do I Fix My Refrigerator that Is Not Cooling

Updated on April 15, 2022

Troubleshooting a fridge that has lost its icy sensation can be done in this manner. To help you identify the problem and maybe solve it yourself, we’ve provided a detailed step-by-step tutorial. It doesn’t matter if you need a professional to fix the problem or not, because you’ll be able to demonstrate the issue, saving both parties time and money.

Tools Required

• The ratchet/socket set
• Stripper/cutter for wire

Materials Required

• Exhaust fans for the evaporator and condenser

Check the refrigerator thermostat

In order to keep perishable items safe, most new refrigerators are pre-set to a temperature between 35 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit when they are purchased. Temperature can be altered by bumping milk cartons or other items off the refrigerator thermostat dials.

Small hands or leaning on the control panel can raise the temperature on even outdoor digital thermostats, causing them to malfunction. For this very reason, many digital panels allow the user to lock the settings. If required, return the temperature to a comfortable level.

To test the temperature of your refrigerator, you may want to purchase a low-cost, digital waterproof thermostat like Vouloir’s, which can be purchased online or at a local hardware store.

Test the seals on your fridge doors

Even if the rest of your refrigerator is working properly, chilly air from the interior may be escaping if the magnetic seals on the doors—also known as door gaskets—are broken. The capacity of refrigerator door gaskets to form a tight seal might deteriorate over time due to their tendency to become brittle.

Using a dollar note, insert it halfway through the door and then shut it. It’s possible that the seal is still intact, but if the bill slides right out, it means that the door gaskets need to be replaced.

Inexperienced DIYers can easily replace the gaskets. Door gaskets can cost anywhere from $45 to as much as $85 or more, depending on the brand and type of the refrigerator. Make sure you have the necessary gaskets by checking your owner’s manual first. Detailed instructions for DIY replacement can be found in your owner’s handbook or the gasket package itself.

Clean the condenser coils

The condenser coils in your refrigerator are packed with refrigerant. A buildup of dust, hair, or pet fur on the coils, which are not enclosed in a sealed unit, might limit their ability to keep the air in a refrigerator cold. Fortunately, cleaning the coils of a refrigerator is a simple task that only requires a $10 coil condenser brush and a vacuum to remove the loosed dust. Coils should be cleaned once or twice a year if there is a lot of dust buildup on the coils.

Problem: Fridge Not Cooling

When a refrigerator fails to keep milk or ice cream cold or frozen, there are a number of possible explanations. Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are working before attempting any more complicated repairs by following these simple fixes:

• Refrigerators need power to operate. When you open the door, the light should come on.
• Find out whether the thermostat has been accidentally set too low. Buy these thermostats on Amazon if your fridge/freezer thermostat isn’t working.
• Ice cream boxes and frozen veggies shouldn’t obstruct the freezer’s back vents, which must be free of obstructions for cold air to pass.
• Vacuum the coils in the refrigerator’s base or back. Poor cooling can be caused by clogged coils.
• Condenser fan: Make sure there are no obstructions in the fan and that it spins freely (except for models with coils on the back). Remove the fridge by unplugging it and then dragging it out. Check to check whether the fan is stuck by cleaning the blades and giving it a spin by hand. When the compressor is functioning, make sure the fridge’s fan is running. Replace the fan if it stops working; the steps to do so are provided below.

Replace the Refrigerator Evaporator Fan

These refrigerator troubleshooting tips can help you pinpoint the issue if you discover that your fridge is not cooling. A frozen evaporator coil or a malfunctioning evaporator fan are the most frequent causes of a running compressor but no cooling in the refrigerator. When an evaporator fan begins to malfunction, it emits a squealing or chirping sound. When you open the freezer door, you’ll know it’s the evaporator fan if the noise increases louder. Evaporator coil and fan are hidden under freezer door cover.

On Amazon, you may purchase an evaporator fan.

Let it defrost for 24 to 48 hours if you find that the coils in your freezer are totally covered with frost when you remove the freezer’s cover. To prevent water from dripping onto the floor, have a couple towels on available. Refrigerators can be plugged back in after the frost has thawed. Defrosting timer, heater or thermostat may be the issue if it works. Finding out which of these pieces is defective involves some troubleshooting that we won’t get into here. If you think there’s a problem with these components, get in touch with an expert right away.

As soon as the thermostat senses that the temperature in the refrigerator has risen over a certain level, the condenser fan and compressor on the back of most refrigerators begin to circulate. There are a number of possible causes for a compressor not to run after the door has been open for a long, including a condenser fan that has been stuck or worn out, or a relay or compressor. The evaporator fan can be replaced by following these simple steps:

Remove Cover