As someone who has dealt with their Refrigerator Not cooling, I understand the frustration of finding and fixing refrigerator problems.
The Refrigerator is one of the most essential appliances in any home, and when it’s not working right, it can create chaos in your household.
With today’s prices, a warm fridge can also be costly, leading to spoiled food or drinks. So, what are the causes of a refrigerator that doesn’t cool?
Today, we will show you the most common refrigerator cooling problems and the best DIY methods for diagnosing and repairing any refrigerator.
7 Common Reasons Refrigerator is Not Cooling:
- The Refrigerator isn’t plugged in. Seriously, many people pull the fridge out to either clean behind it or recover something that fell behind. It’s easy to jiggle the power cord loose or disconnect it entirely when this happens.
- The Condenser Coils are Dirty – located on the back of the refrigerator or in a bottom compartment; the condenser coils can become full of dust or debris, preventing them from functioning correctly and cooling off the fridge.
- Freezer Vents are Blocked – Cold air cannot be adequately distributed if bags or boxes of frozen food are piled up, blocking the evaporator fan and freezer vent.
- Poor Ventilation – The outside air around the refrigerator is blocked. This can occur from cabinetry, side obstructions, or the blocked front vent (floor), which prevents air from flowing over the condenser coils.
- The Evaporator Fan Motor isn’t working. It is in the freezer compartment behind the rear (removable) panel. The evaporator motor and its fan blade distribute cold air throughout the freezer, which also cools the fridge. See below for instructions on how to replace the evaporator fan motor.
- The condenser fan motor isn’t working. The condenser is located in the bottom compartment of every refrigerator. Its job is to compress refrigerant gas into liquid coolant and pump it to the evaporator coils (in the freezer).
- A typical problem with the condenser is overheating due to a defective fan motor. See How to Replace the Condenser Fan Motor below.
Troubleshooting refrigerator problems is not always easy, but understanding the dynamics of your freezer and fridge is a great place to start. Doing repairs yourself will save you considerable money.
Diagnosing Refrigerator Problems:
- Why is my freezer working, but the fridge won’t cool? One of the most common problems with refrigerators is when the Freezer freezes but is not cold. Another common issue is when the Refrigerator is Cold but the freezer isn’t freezing.
- In either case, if the condenser motor (bottom of fridge) is running and the refrigerator isn’t cold, the most likely issue will be an over-iced evaporator coil or a failed evaporator fan. (See fixes below)
- Suppose the evaporator coil and evaporator fan look good. In that case, the cooling problem could be caused by various issues, including a faulty compressor, a clogged condenser coil, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
- In addition, dust and debris will also accumulate on the coils, reducing their ability to dissipate heat. This can cause the compressor to work harder and longer, leading to a warmer freezer and a colder fridge.
- Another possible cause could be a faulty compressor. The compressor is responsible for pumping refrigerant through the coils, and if it’s not working correctly, your freezer will not be able to produce cold air.
How To Fix a Refrigerator That Isn’t Cooling
There are several potential reasons why a refrigerator fails to keep food and drinks cold. If your refrigerator won’t cool, check these things.
Refrigerator Cooling Troubleshooting:
- First, make sure the refrigerator is powered all the way. The power cord can easily be pulled loose when cleaning behind a fridge.
- If your fridge is plugged in, the light inside should turn on when you open the door (unless the bulb is burned out). If the bulb is burned out, replace it, giving yourself a spot-check that your refrigerator is powered on every time you open the door.
- Vacuum and Remove any debris or dirt from the refrigerator coils. The coils (depending on the model) are located either behind or underneath the fridge. Dirty or dusty coils on your fridge will indeed impede it from cooling.
- The vents in the freezer, boxes of frozen food, or spare bags of ice do not block the vents in the freezer compartment. The air in your freezer flows freely to maintain a cold temperature.
- Be sure your thermostat has not been mistakenly adjusted to a shallow setting. If it is malfunctioning, you can find simple-to-install replacement thermostats online.
- It’s rare, but make sure that the condenser fan rotates smoothly and that nothing is stuck. Note that a refrigerator with coils in the back doesn’t have a fan.
- Unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall. Spin the fan blade to check if the fan works correctly. Next, clean the fan blades and rotate the fan to make sure it turns freely.
If the blade spins freely, but the fan motor isn’t working, See the DIY instructions: “How to replace Evaporator fan on Fridge” later in this article.
VIDEO: Refrigerator Isn’t Cooling, but Freezer is Fine – DIY Repair Tips
Knowing How a Freezer and Fridge Works
First, It’s important to understand How a refrigerator works. Whether an upright or side-by-side refrigerator, the freezer and fridge work together to maintain a consistent temperature. They operate much like a typical air conditioner.
Essentially, the compressor pushes refrigerant (gas) into the condenser coils. It then converts to a “liquid,” delivered to the evaporator coils (in the freezer).
The heat is absorbed by the evaporator coils, which cools both the freezer and the refrigerator, keeping your food fresh.
Importance of the Compressor
The compressor, the heart of the refrigerator, pumps refrigerant through the coils in the freezer. As the refrigerant passes through the waves, it absorbs heat and cools the air. The cold air is sent into the fridge to keep your food fresh.
Note: Condenser coils (shown on the back of the fridge above) are often located inside the bottom compartments of modern refrigerators.
How To Replace Refrigerator “Evaporator Fan Motor”
One of the most likely problems with fridges not cooling correctly stems from a broken evaporator fan or fan motor.
If the fan blade is stuck or the evaporator fan motor is lousy, the cold air cannot be circulated and distributed adequately to the freezer and fridge.
The evaporator fan circulates air throughout the fridge and freezer; if it’s not working, your food will not get the cold air it needs.
Follow These 7 Steps: To Replace “Evaporator Fan Motor.”
Some (usually older) refrigerators with condenser coils on the back of the fridge (see image below) do not use an “evaporator fan.”
If this is the case with your fridge, See “How to diagnose and replace Condenser Fan motor” later in this article.
Assuming the refrigerator does not have coils on the back of the fridge
- Open the freezer, and locate the evaporator Cover on the inside back wall.
2. The fan motor and blade should be spinning With the refrigerator plugged in and the condenser motor running. If the fan motor is running, but the blade isn’t spinning, carefully try to free it.
3. If the fan motor isn’t running or the fan blade is spinning, Unplug the fridge, then Remove the Fan Motor by removing the screws and detaching the fan motor wires.
Note: I always snap a photo of the wiring connections to refer to when installing a new motor.
4. Before removing the old motor, purchase a new fan motor and receive delivery – new fridge motors are available here.
5. Reuse the existing fan motor brackets by reattaching them to the new one. See the Photo Below.
6. Plug in the fan motor wires and Reinstall the new fan assembly.
7. If the new fan works correctly, replace the evaporator cover inside the freezer.
How To Replace Evaporator Fan Motor (Whirlpool Video Demo)
How To Replace a Refrigerator “Condenser Fan Motor”
The Condenser fan motor on a Refrigerator can be found at the refrigerator’s back side and the bottom by removing the panel (be sure to have the fridge unplugged before removing this panel)
The condenser fan blows cool air over the compressor and condenser coils to keep them from overheating.
If the fan motor fails, the condenser and compressor will not run properly, preventing the fridge from cooling correctly.
Follow these Steps: To Diagnose or Replace the “Condenser Fan Motor”
- Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and unplug it.
2. Look for and remove the thin cover at the bottom of the fridge, exposing the condenser motor.
3. Keep your hands free from the exposed condenser and plug in the refrigerator to see if the condenser is running and the fan and fan motor are working. If the condenser motor is on but the fan isn’t, you most likely need a new condenser fan motor.
4. If your fridge condenser fan and condenser motor are both not running (try this troubleshooting tip):
- Unplug the refrigerator
- Set up a box fan and point it directly at the condenser and coils for 20-30 minutes to cool them off.
- Once the condenser is cool, plug the fridge in again and see if the condenser comes on.
- If it does, the fan motor is probably the culprit and needs to be replaced. It can also be found online.
- After replacing the condenser fan, the condenser fails to come on; the condenser itself or the relay is bad.
- If this is the case, the repair will be more complex, and you may consider hiring an appliance repair contractor.
How To Replace Condenser Fan Motor (GE Fridge Demo Video)
Why is the Refrigerator warm?
If your refrigerator is warm, a few different things could be causing the issue. One possible cause is a dirty condenser coil.
As mentioned, dust and debris can accumulate on the coils, reducing their ability to dissipate heat. This can cause your refrigerator to work harder and longer, increasing temperatures.
Another possible cause is a malfunctioning thermostat. The thermostat regulates the temperature in your refrigerator; if it’s not working correctly, your fridge may not maintain a consistent temperature.
Finally, another possible cause is a refrigerant leak. Suppose the refrigerant system leaks; your fridge may not be able to cool properly. This is a more severe issue that a professional appliance repair service should address.
When to Call a Professional Refrigerator Repair Service
If you’ve tried troubleshooting your refrigerator and still have issues, it may be time to call a professional refrigerator repair service. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and provide a specific solution to your fridge.
Some signs that it’s time to call in a professional include a refrigerator making strange noises, a fridge leaking water, or a fridge not cooling.
These are all signs that a more severe issue needs to be addressed by a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Much Does a Refrigerator Cost to Repair?
Appliance repair companies charge between $50 and $150 for a service call to diagnose refrigerator problems (depending on your region).
In addition, most repair service companies charge $75-100/hour for labor plus any parts. (Note: Service call fees are sometimes waived if you agree to the repairs.)
Can I Repair My Refrigerator Myself?
Following the guidelines detailed in this article, we recommend troubleshooting the refrigerator problem first.
Once you zero in on the issue, homeowners with average DIY experience can diagnose and repair common refrigerator problems.
What are The Most Common Refrigerator Repairs?
The most common refrigerator repairs involve replacing the Coil, Compressor, Evaporator Motor, Condenser Fan Motor, Seals, and Icemaker.
What are the average repair costs for common refrigerator parts?
Based on a national average ($50-150), the Compressor ($500-1,000), Evaporator Motor ($50-120), Refrigerator Seals ($50 -80), and the Icemaker ($350-400).
You can also refer to the Average Refrigerator Repair Cost Table Below:
Conclusion:
In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of your freezer and fridge is vital to troubleshooting your refrigerator.
If your freezer is not freezing, but your fridge is cold, it could be due to a clogged condenser coil or a faulty compressor.
If your refrigerator is warm, it could be due to a dirty condenser coil or a malfunctioning thermostat.
Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the condenser coils and checking the temperature settings, can help keep your refrigerator running smoothly. And if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to call in a professional refrigerator repair service.
Fixing Refrigerator Problems early can prevent severe problems and extend the life of your refrigerator.
Additional Reading and References:
- Can You Use Any Soap for the Dishwasher? – University of Wisconsin
- How Does a Refrigerator Work (Diagram) – Maytag
- The 10 Best Gas Fireplace Inserts – Besthomegear.com
- Toilet Repair Made Easy – Besthomegear.com
- Dishwasher vs. Handwashing Dishes & Water Usage – Penn State University
- How To Wire a 3-Way Light Switch – Besthomegear.com
