Why is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?

There are several reasons why a refrigerator isn’t cooling. If you want to save yourself some time and hassle, give P.D.Q. Cicero Appliance Repair a call for refrigerator repair in Cicero, IL. We’re happy to visit and troubleshoot the issue as well as correct it for you.

When a refrigerator is not cold anymore, it’s time to determine what the issue might be. A lot of times it is something as simple as a good coil cleaning. However, with new models of refrigerators, they are equipped with a variety of sensors too.

Before we investigate further, we inspect the most typical and common causes for this issue. Here are some things that we have found lead to a refrigerator that won’t cool:

Is the cord plugged in? This might seem like it is a funny question, but we have been hired for appointments that this was the issue. Somehow, the refrigerator was unplugged. it’s possible a kid did it, or an electrician during a service visit. Whatever the case might be, be sure the refrigerator is plugged in.

Look at the thermostat inside. This is a very typical issue for anyone with small children in their house. After all, kids like dials and buttons and so, without knowing they are doing anything wrong, they mess with them. So, check that the thermostat temperature isn’t the reason for the warm fridge.

Refrigerator Components to Inspect?

Be sure the vents in the freezer are not blocked with boxes or food. This is common since sometimes frozen veggies get jammed in the back of the freezer. There might be food in the back of a freezer that has long been forgotten about.

Check that the condenser cooling fan is clean and clear of all debris. To be sure, unplug the refrigerator and pull it out from the kitchen wall. The cooling fan for many models is right at the bottom or somewhere in the back part of the freezer portion. A lot of times, people don’t think to clean this section of the appliance. But, it is very important to keep it clean. And, it piles up with dust and fuzz quickly, especially with homes that have pets. So, get a clean rag and clean the collected dust out of the coils and fan.

This is not recommended for refrigerators that have a rear coil system. Once all clean, plug it into the wall and notice if the fan moves.

The Freezer is Cold but the Refrigerator Isn’t

There are a few more reasons for a refrigerator not cooling after these more common ones to check if your freezer is cool but the refrigerator is not. The evaporator coils have frost on them. This occurs when there is a failure in the defrost heating system. Or when the automatic defrost experiences an issue. The evaporator fan motor can be another reason.

Every refrigerator has a pair of evaporator coils. These evaporator coils are what cool and then the fan pushes the cool air throughout the unit. The damper control assembly working correctly. The temperature control board which transports the electricity to the compressor and fan, this probably isn’t the issue but it is worth troubleshooting.

And, the thermistor could be defective, which is a small sensor within the unit that tells the temperature. Having one of our technicians look at it is the best option but these are some of the most typical problems.

ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATOR RESOURCES

• Ice Maker Isn’t Working
• How Does a Refrigerator Work?
• Refrigerator is Noisy
• Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working