Refrigerator Not Cooling? Causes and What to Check.
A refrigerator that runs but stays warm usually has an airflow problem, not a dead compressor. Most causes can be narrowed down in a few minutes without tools. Start with the simple checks below before you move food or call anyone.
First, Make Sure It Is Really Warm
Put an appliance thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf and leave it for a few hours. The fresh-food section should hold 37 to 40°F and the freezer about 0°F. A reading of 41°F or above means food is at risk.
Check that the temperature control was not bumped to a warmer setting, and that the doors close fully. A shelf, bin or tall bottle can stop a door from sealing.
Dusty Condenser Coils
The condenser coil releases the heat the refrigerator pulls out of the food. When it is coated in dust and pet hair, the fridge runs longer and cools less. On most freestanding models the coil is behind the kick plate at the bottom or on the back. Unplug the refrigerator, then vacuum the coil with a brush attachment.
Built-in refrigerators such as Sub-Zero usually have the condenser at the top, behind a grille. Garage refrigerators in Texas heat collect dust faster and work harder, so check them more often.
A Fan That Has Stopped
Most refrigerators have two fans. The evaporator fan, inside the freezer behind the back panel, moves cold air into the fresh-food section. If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, this fan is a common suspect. Listen with the freezer door open and the door switch pressed: you should hear it run.
The condenser fan, near the compressor at the bottom back, cools the coil. If it is stopped or noisy, the compressor overheats and cooling drops.
Frost on the Back Wall of the Freezer
A thick layer of frost on the freezer's back panel means the automatic defrost is not working. The frost blocks the air path to the fresh-food side, so the fridge warms up while the freezer may still feel cold. The cause is usually the defrost heater, its thermostat, or the control board. A torn door gasket that lets humid air in can cause the same thing.
When to Call a Technician
Call if the coils are clean and the doors seal but the temperature keeps climbing, if you hear clicking every few minutes (often the compressor trying and failing to start), or if you see heavy frost on the back wall. Have the brand and model number ready; it is usually on a label inside the fresh-food section. Call 210-890-5150 or book online.
Questions
Should I unplug a refrigerator that is not cooling?
Not unless you smell burning or the breaker trips. Leave it running with the doors closed so it keeps as cold as it can, and so a technician can see what the system is doing.
How long is food safe in a warm refrigerator?
USDA guidance is about 4 hours with the door kept closed. Throw out perishable food that has been above 40°F for 2 hours or more.
Is a refrigerator worth repairing?
Fans, defrost parts and controls are modest repairs on most refrigerators. A sealed-system repair on an older, inexpensive unit is a harder call. Once the cause is known, you can weigh the repair against the age and value of the unit.
Need an Appliance Looked At?
Call, send us a WhatsApp message or book online, and tell us what the appliance is doing.
- Call us210-890-5150
- Service areaSan Antonio + 11 nearby
Have These Ready
- Brand and model number
- What it's doing, and since when
- Any error code on the display