Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?How Cold Should A Refrigerator & Freezer Be?If you are questioning the functionality of your fridge or freezer, a great place to start is knowing the answer to the question: “How cold should a refrigerator be?” According to the FDA, a refrigerator’s temperature should be set to 40°F or lower, while the temperature of a freezer should be at 0°F. Show
Is your refrigerator not cooling or preserving your food? Our team at Mr. Appliance can help you diagnose your potential problem, walk you through the repair steps, and explain when you should step back and let a professional handle it. Checking the Easy Stuff FirstSometimes there is nothing broken about your fridge, despite the fact that it isn’t cool. These “easy fixes” are steps you can take to save yourself from an embarrassing conversation with a repair technician and from any unnecessary services fees.
If you run through this checklist and your refrigerator or freezer temperature still isn’t where it should be, you could be facing a more complicated issue. There are signs that indicate your warming fridge is more of an issue than an overcrowded freezer - and our team tells you what to look for! Refrigerator Problems and How to Repair ThemA warm refrigerator isn’t always an obvious fix. There are a number of different things that could be causing the issue. Malfunctioning parts can be tricky, especially when you have to discern which part is causing the problem. Our Mr. Appliance technicians listed common fridge and freezer issues, where they occur, and how you can fix them. Refrigerator CompressorThe compressor is the part of the fridge that compresses and pushes refrigerant vapor into the coils outside of the fridge. The pushing and pressure creates heat, forming hot gas that later cools and absorbs heat from the freezer and fridge. If your freezer fan is still running, but your fridge is not getting cold, your compressor or the compressor start relay could be bad.
Condenser CoilsCondenser coils carry the hot gas produced by the compressor up to the evaporator coils. As the refrigerant travels through the coils at a high pressure, it cools and turns back into a liquid. Clogged condenser coils can produce poor circulation of air, restricting your fridge’s ability to keep cool.
Condenser FanThe condenser fan cools the compressor and condenser coils as they work. The fan should run when the compressor is running. If the condenser fan does not function properly, the refrigerator’s temperature can rise and the compressor can overheat.
Evaporator FanThe evaporator fan is the part of the fridge that blows the cool air you feel when you open the door. It pulls air across the evaporator coil, cooling it, and then pushes the air through the freezer and refrigerator. If the evaporator fan does not work or kick on when the compressor does, your unit will not be able to produce cool air.
Air DamperThe air damper controls how much cold air is shared from the freezer to the fridge. If the air damper can’t close or can’t open, it can impact the temperature of the fridge while the freezer stays the right temperature. When the air damper can’t open, cold air cannot travel from the freezer to the fridge compartment, making it warmer.
When All Else FailsIf you are struggling to diagnose the problem or don’t have experience replacing and repairing mechanical parts, there is no shame in calling a professional to handle it. Kitchen appliances can be complicated and we definitely don’t recommend you take your refrigerator apart if you don’t know what you are doing. Not only could you damage your expensive appliance further, but it can be incredibly dangerous. At Mr. Appliance, our team of repair experts understands how to quickly and effectively repair your unit. When in doubt, call on our extensive repair services to help you out with a refrigerator not cooling, or any other issues you're facing. Saying Goodbye to Your UnitThere are some instances where your refrigerator might be beyond the point of return (or at least, it will cost you less money to just buy a new unit instead of always repairing your current one). So how can you tell when your refrigerator is on its last leg, instead of just needing a tune up? Most consumer reports advise that the age of your unit and the cost of your repair service are the best indications for when you should replace your refrigerator. Though lifespans depend on the type of unit, units typically need a first repair within:
The general rule of thumb should be unless your refrigerator has sentimental value, whenever the repair exceeds the cost of buying a new unit, choose the new unit! Why is my fridge not cooling but fan is running?If your freezer fan is still running, but your fridge is not getting cold, your compressor or the compressor start relay could be bad. Where It's Located: The compressor is located behind your fridge and at the bottom. It is a black, tank-like part.
What would cause a refrigerator to stop getting cold?If your refrigerator isn't cooling, it may be because food items are blocking the vents of the fridge and/or freezer compartments. Overstuffing your fridge with food can cause items to block the vents and prevent the cool air from circulating properly.
How do you reset a refrigerator that is not cooling?Pull the unit away from the wall and unplug it. Check the owner's manual for any “off” or “zero” settings in your fridge and freezer and set them to off or zero. Plug the unit back in and adjust the temperature controls of both to your desired setting. Give the fridge about 24 hours to cool to your set temperature.
Why is my fridge and freezer on but no cold air blowing inside?If the evaporator fan is not working, it will not circulate the cold air to the refrigerator compartment. If this occurs, the freezer may still get cold, while the refrigerator will not get cold. To determine if the evaporator fan motor is defective, try turning the fan blade by hand.
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