Bummer! When an evaporator fan stops functioning, the cooling inside the food section will stop. • Move the food to a warmer part of the refrigerator. The blocked air vents prevent the cold air from circulating and the fridge quickly becomes warm. If it doesn't, check if any of the breakers flipped on your electrical panel. If the floor isn't flat, the door won't be able to close correctly, and that can cause air to leak. If your refrigerator has stopped cooling, then the chances are that food, beverages, or ice is blocking the air vents on the back of your refrigerator unit. Consequently, you’ll also need to replace the other parts you removed in the process. If this component is not working properly your refrigerator will stop cooling. If the evaporator fan is not working, it will not circulate the cold air to the refrigerator compartment. If the temperature control thermostat is not working properly, it may cause the refrigerant system to run longer than necessary. Open the refrigerator door and see if the light turns on if the light doesn’t turn on which... Old refrigerator gasket. Examine your refrigerator’s gaskets to ensure they are sealing properly. Frost buildup in the freezer can also block a vent, reducing or preventing cold air from reaching the refrigerator compartment. Quick Answer: If your refrigerator is “all of a sudden” freezing your food and drinks, the temperature setting for the fridge has been inadvertently set TOO LOW or TOO COLD.Try setting the refrigerator section temp to medium or the number 5. But the good news is that you don’t need to wait for help. Something as simple as an uneven floor can cause your fridge to stop cooling. Required fields are marked *. This may cause temperatures to rise over time assuming that the refrigerator stays shut (opening it will lead to a drastic rise in temperature if left open for long). We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Your email address will not be published. Those coils are usually made of copper and they can also get damaged over time. Even if your fridge has an external thermostat, the temperatures could get mixed up. Don't use a fork or a knife to remove the frost yourself because you can cause more damage than good. Here, you’ll find a motor that can be unscrewed and unplugged to move the damper out of the way. If the air damper won’t close or doesn’t seem to open, the fridge might stop cooling even though the freezer stays at the right temperature. As obvious as this sounds, often a fridge shuts down completely because it’s simply getting no power. Most refrigerators have legs that you can adjust with a wrench. “ Refrigerator not cooling ” is a very common problem and can be taken care by good refrigerator repair professionals. When that happens, the gaskets are unable to stick to the doors. Sometimes, when you put stuff back into the fridge, you may have rotated the thermostat dial unintentionally. If you see any cracks, you will need to call someone to fix the issue. A thermistor is a sensor that control the air temperature inside refrigerator and controls the start and stop of cooling cycle. If dirty coils arent the problem, check and reset the temperature in the food compartment. This happens because humid air from the room is drawn into … The challenge is in finding the right ones. A vent is an element placed between the freezer and refrigerated part of the appliance which distributes cold air inside the fridge. Refrigerator door gaskets cost about $50. So if your refrigerator isn’t cooling, you should check the condenser coils to see if they are clean or not. When your fridge is too cold, it could be due to a problem in the cold control, a switch to send electricity to the fans and compressor that is triggered by temperature change. Most modern refrigerators comprise of a set of coils that may lose their ability to produce cool air when dirt, dust, and other debris accumulate upon them. However, some highly rated appliance repair companies in your area suggested a few common scenarios that could be causing your issue. If it's a freezer/refrigerator, you have to move all the fridge contents, too, since the cold comes from the freezer alone. Your refrigerator is working well for years until one day when you get a can of soda only to realize that it's barely cold. If your fridge or freezer is packed too full, you may be blocking the air vent and preventing cold air from entering the fresh food compartment. Oddly enough, the freezer may stay cold even if the fan itself malfunctions or stops completely. You could have block them by overstuffing the fridge. As a result, the refrigerator will be too cold. Sometimes, ice can build up on the back wall of your fridge. Clean the condenser coils with a brush. Simply making sure there’s no food or drink touching the back or the sides of your fridge will stop this problem occurring again. The doors are usually heavy, and they sometimes don't close as they should if one side is lower than the other. Over time, frost might accumulate over the fan and the coils, which causes them to get insulated. Damaged electrical outlet. That’s definitely going to be a put-off. Dust off any debris and suck it up with a vacuum cleaner. Proceed by pulling the covers off as well. Check your thermostat to make sure that it is set at the optimum temperature. You should install your fridge in such a way that there are a few inches of space between it and the wall to allow air to circulate. Repair Tip. If you didn't get much water, you are likely looking at a refrigerant issue, causing the evaporator coils to not get cold enough. The thermostat allows power to flow through to the compressor, evaporator fan and condenser fan. So, if the thermostat is set below this temperature, you now know why your refrigerator isn’t cooling. How Do You Introduce Two Dogs When One Is Aggressive, Trouble On The Horizon: Three Warning Signs Of Transmission Failure, Why Waterfront Homes Are a Brilliant Investment. The optimal temperature for a fridge is 35° to 37° F. You can change the temperature with a dial on the thermostat that is located inside of the fridge. That leads to cracking and warping, which would allow the cold air to escape from the fridge. The refrigerator has evaporator coils and a circulating fan in the freezer zone. While refrigerators are complex machines, there can be many reasons why your refrigerator isn’t cooling. It is also possible that there are other underlying issues with the temperature control thermostat or the start capacitor that you should get checked by a professional. A poor seal could cause the refrigerator to … Some refrigerators have more than one evaporator fan motor. Solved: What would cause a refrigerator to stop getting cold? A fridge compressor running but not cooling indicates that the compressor itself is faulty. If it's already at the lowest setting, it's probably damaged, which means the appliance could be cooling non-stop, causing your food to freeze. The thermostat is damaged. Problem: Fridge Not Cooling. If there's a lot of frost inside the freezer, unplug the fridge and wait until it melts. In addition, locate the air vents inside of your fridge and check if something is blocking them. A kitchen that is too cold can cause the temperature in your refrigerator drop below what it should be. That leads to cracking and warping, which would allow the cold air to escape from the fridge. These are some of the most common reasons that can cause a refrigerator to stop getting cold. However, they sometimes simply stop working at the required temperature, allowing the contents to go bad sooner than expected. Don’t worry, though. It should be between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the refrigerator does not get cold enough the temperature control thermostat might be defective. The rubber seals (gaskets) on the doors are one of the usual suspects that cause your refrigerator to stop cooling. Although this is a standard feature, the drain hole in the defrosting assembly can get clogged with debris, lime, or even ice. If the food has high water content and you have stored it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, it can freeze. If your refrigerator isn’t cooling, but the freezer is functioning properly, this might be an indication that the evaporator fan motor has stopped working. However, it might stop defrosting if there’s damage to the evaporator coils. The only way to fix it, is to de-ice the fridge by turning it off and letting the ice melt. A big part of that is the condenser fan which moves the air across the condenser coils which cools the air. If it's above the average cooling level, reset the thermostat and your fridge could start working normally again. It can significantly reduce its ability to produce cool air. Thermostats maintain the temperature inside the refrigerator. Confirm the temperature again with an external thermometer to see whether it’s reading accurately or not. Hot summer afternoons and the blaring sun mandate a cool glass of lemonade to beat the weather. There are several possible causes when a refrigerator doesn’t keep your milk cold or your ice cream frozen. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Move everything that's worth saving to your neighbor's freezer or a picnic cooler with ice packs (eat or pitch the rest). Since they are typically located on the back of the fridge, they can burn out because of pet fur, dust, hair, lint and so on. Some common problem that causes a refrigerator stops getting cold. Plug it back into the outlet and open the door on your fridge. That leads to cracks in the coils which allow the refrigerant to escape and your fridge will stop cooling properly. The thermostat will then adjust the temperature accordingly, making the fridge stop cooling. Place your hand behind the refrigerator to check if you feel cool air blowing. Frozen Evaporator Coils. Place your hand behind the refrigerator to check if you feel cool air blowing. Sure, it's a long shot, but people have that problem all the time. The compressor is the component on your refrigerator that allows your refrigerator to cool. It could have become loose in the outlet, cutting off the power supply. • ncrease the temperature in your kitchen. Here are seven common reasons why your refrigerator is not cooling – and how to fix them: A self-defrosting refrigerator will generally defrost throughout the day. RS* Models 1. If your frost free fridge or freezer is whirring away as if it is working correctly but the temperature is not cold enough the it may have too much ice. While some issues need a professional repairman, you can still fix most of the common problems that make your refrigerator stop cooling. Ensure that the evaporator coils are clean and free of frost for proper cooling inside the refrigerator. In this case, your refrigerator won’t be able to circulate cool air. Adjust the thermostat as required based on the results you get. If something is blocking the airflow, heat may build up and affect the heat exchange properties of the evaporator, in which case your fridge won't be able to provide a constant temperature. The first thing to check is the breaker (in your home’s electrical service panel) of the circuit serving the fridge. Get a carpenter's leveler and put it on top of the fridge. Dear Donna: There are a number of factors to consider before determining what the issue is, including the brand and the configuration of the refrigerator and freezer (for example, a side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer, etc.). You check again a day later, and it's still not cooling properly. The rubber seals (gaskets) on the doors are one of the usual suspects that cause your refrigerator to stop cooling. Verify that the power cord is plugged into the electrical outlet. Also, just a few items in the refrigerator can cause cooling to be obstructed because the unit will always try to regulate itself when it's circulating too much cold … They tend to lose flexibility over time and become dry. If your fridge is too cold, check that the thermostat is not set too high. Over time, vibrations from the fridge can cause the power cord to pull loose. If the light comes on, it's not the cord. Most of the time the compressor is not the component that has failed. A freezer should be between 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, the vents can get stuffed with pieces of ice that block the airflow in the appliance, resulting in your fridge not cooling. The air damper is a component that is located between the refrigerator’s fresh food compartment and the freezer. Check the temperature readings on your thermostat. If the internal light did not turn on, then the refrigerator may not be getting power. It might sound like a dumb question, but you should start accessing the damage by checking the power cord. When there is too much food blocking the air vents of the refrigerator, cold air will be prevented from circulating throughout the unit properly. Possible Cause: Loss of Power. A refrigerator will run constantly if it tries to cool but can’t get the job done. Get a coil condenser brush at your local hardware store, and you also need a vacuum cleaner. The condenser coils on any fridge are filled with freon, which is the same gas used in air conditioning units. The temperature control thermostat directs voltage to the compressor, evaporator fan motor, and condenser fan motor (if applicable). It is a key component that circulates cool air in your unit. Most new refrigerators come with automatic defrosters. If the Refrigerator runs constantly the door gasket may be torn or defective, or if the door is not shutting tightly warm air can enter the the refrigerator and cause the evaporator coils to ice over. Get expert appliance repair tips from the pros at Appliance Repair 512 in Austin, TX. I have replaced the defrost heating element in my refrigerator; it's a hassle due to the tight space, but do-able for somebody with moderate electrical knowledge. Defective Compressor. 1. If the cooling system fans and compressor are running, but the refrigerator or freezer is not cooling correctly check for an airflow or defrost system problem. Be sure the fridge is plugged in and getting power. Here’s how you can fix it: You should remove the frost by either manually defrosting your refrigerator or setting it to automatic defrost (an option available in most frost-free refrigerators). Check for obstructions or binding on the damper, unplugging the fridge and removing the damper cover first, and make sure the control is running the damper. Now, you can remove the existing damper and replace it with a new one. In such case call a refrigerator repair professional. If the fan isn’t running properly – even without any obstructions – it might be time to consider replacing it. When that happens, the gaskets are unable to stick to the doors. A common cause for the temperature to rise is when the evaporator gets blocked with ice and is not cleared by the defrost circuit so the air from the fan cannot pass through and cool the interior. According to Consumer Reports, the perfect temperature for food to stay fresh in your refrigerator is 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Make an effort to keep the air vents clean and clear—store any obstructing food and beverage items in other components of the refrigerator. If your freezer has an ice bucket, you should remove it. Start removing the air damper by taking out any screws that are holding the damper cover in place. Most homes have a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the fridge alone, while older homes may have it on a general kitchen circuit. Your email address will not be published. If you suspect that airflow is being reduced or non-existant, the possibility is the fan blades are obstructed or the fan motor is faulty. What Would Cause A Refrigerator To Stop Getting Cold? Learn what could cause a refrigerator to stop getting cold. Having a few milk cartons at the back of the shelves can block the air from coming into the fridge. Check if there are any obstructions in the fan or not. Prevent that from happening by cleaning the condenser coils at least twice a year. If that's not the case, move on to the second possibility. Insufficient current. So even if the fridge … This leads to heat entrapment that will cause your refrigerator to stop cooling. On refrigerators with only one evaporator, the evaporator is located in the freezer compartment. The fix is quick and easy and you don't need any previous experience to take care of this problem. Check your user manual to see which gaskets you need, and it will probably have instructions on how to change them. Problem with MCB can be a leading cause of refrigerator breakdown. If your refrigerator has stopped cooling, then the chances are that food, beverages, or ice is blocking the air vents on the back of your refrigerator unit. If that's the case, you need someone to fix it, but before you call the service center, try narrowing down the cause. If this happens the defrost will not work and there will be a build-up of ice in your freezer that begins to block the freon from flowing properly. Use the vacuum to remove all of the spider webs, dust, fur, from the back of the fridge. So, when a refrigerator stops cooling, it’s very likely that someone accidentally knocked or bumped into the refrigerator’s thermostat. A fridge that’s either too full or has cans, jars and bottles blocking the air vents can stop getting cold. If you find that there’s little-to-no airflow, you’ll know the unit’s vents are blocked. Open the refrigerator. This can be caused by the fridge being overfilled, preventing air from moving around and keeping the fridge frost-free. While your refrigerator might be cooling, it will be minimal at best. What You Need to Know about the Different Fridge Styles, The Perks of Having a Smart Refrigerator in Your Kitchen, 4 Usage Tips For Mini-Fridge Owners: Our Basic Guide, Interior Upgrades: Reviewing 3 French-Door Refrigerators, Refrigeration Trends That Will Make Things More Convenient. Level it out and see if that fixes the problem. A leading reason behind refrigerator not working is insufficient current or voltage to the unit. You’ll find the thermostat sensor around the damper. If you realize that the doors open and close easier than before, or if they don't close fully without extra force, you need to replace the gaskets. An evaporator fan circulates cool air from the freezer to different compartments inside your refrigerator. If the reading is not accurate, you might have to pay a visit to a refrigerator parts repair shop to get your thermostat fixed. If nothing on this list helped you figure out what the problem is, you should call a professional for help. They tend to lose flexibility over time and become dry. If it goes faulty, then the refrigerator does not cool at all or cools continuously. Then the compressor would have to run more frequently to replace the cold air that ought to be in the fridge but is now in the freezer. There are other parts on your refrigerator that have to start the compressor. Keep reading and we will tell you what to look for and what to do to make the fridge do what it's supposed to once more. If you get a more expensive fridge or one designed for cold areas, there will be separate thermostats (and controls) for the fridge and the freezer. It controls the flow of cold air that circulates from the freezer to the fridge. If the freezer compartment … If your fridge does not start it is always recommended to check the MCB (miniature circuit breaker). Know that most repair jobs cost $100 just for the diagnosis, so be ready to shell out a few hundred dollars, depending on the severity of the problem. Then, get the brush and carefully clean the condenser coils. Before you attempt more complex repairs, try these simple fixes if your refrigerator is not cooling and if your freezer is not working:.
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