Are your leftovers lukewarm? Did your milk go from fresh to foul in a matter of hours? You may want to check the temperature in your fridge. Chances are it isn’t cooling as it should. But why is it suddenly on the fritz?
To help figure out why your fridge isn’t cooling, first start with the easy tasks you can do yourself. If these simple adjustments don’t fix the problem, it’s time to call in the pros.
Remember to consult your owner’s manual first for information on how to properly care for your refrigerator.
8 Reasons Your Fridge Isn’t Cooling
- The temperature control setting is wrong.
- The condenser coils are full of dust.
- The gaskets need to be replaced.
- The inside is overloaded.
- The fridge is located in a bad spot.
- The condenser fan motor isn’t working.
- The evaporator fan motor is broken.
- The start relay is faulty.
1. The temperature control setting is wrong.
Uh-oh, did something bump into your temperature control panel? Before you do anything else, check this first. As one of the most common snafus, it’s almost like asking, Is it plugged in? Move it to a cool setting, and hopefully that will do the trick.
2. The condenser coils are full of dust.
If you’ve been neglecting your condenser coils, you’ll want to clean them ASAP. When dust collects on them, the coils are unable to regulate the fridge’s interior temperature properly. Thankfully, fixing this problem is as easy as dusting. Locate your appliance’s condenser coils — they’re typically in the back or on the bottom of the fridge — and use a brush to get rid of dust. To help keep your fridge running smoothly, our pros recommend you clean the coils a couple of times a year.
3. The gaskets need to be replaced.
Over time, the seals around the doors of your fridge, known as gaskets, suffer from wear and tear. When this happens, they don’t seal as well as they should, causing the fridge to leak cool air. Check to see if your gaskets have any cracks or tears or are loose. If so, you’ll want to have someone come out and replace them.
4. The inside is overloaded.
When’s the last time you cleaned out all those leftovers? If you can’t remember, it’s time to do a purge and toss anything that’s looking a bit suspect. Overloaded fridges can’t circulate cool air properly, and there’s also a possibility that items in your fridge could be blocking the cold air vent.
5. The fridge is located in a bad spot.
The room environment where the refrigerator is placed can affect its thermometer. If the space is too cold, like, say, your second fridge in the garage, it might shut off because the appliance thinks it’s already up to temp. If the room is too hot, it could run constantly.
6. The condenser fan motor isn’t working.
This is where we get into some of the more serious issues. The condenser fan motor is responsible for cool air circulation, and if neither your fridge nor freezer is cooling properly, it’s a likely culprit. You’ll want a technician to come out to fix this.
7. The evaporator fan motor is broken.
If your fridge isn’t cooling properly but your freezer seems just fine, a faulty evaporator fan could be the reason. A fridge that moans and groans like a grumpy old man is another clue that you might have a broken fan.
8. The start relay is faulty.
This will cause problems with your fridge’s compressor, aka the part that circulates the refrigerant through the system. Remove the relay and test to make sure the connection isn’t fried by shaking it. If you hear a rattle, it’s time to replace it.
While there are some problems you can try tackling yourself, if your fridge still isn’t keeping your food cool enough, you’ll want to call for a repair right away.