Our troubleshooting guidebook include simple fixes if your refrigerator is n’t keeping its contents cold enough .
We ’ve put together a guide so you wo n’t have to ask that dread question when you notice a problem : “ Why is my electric refrigerator not cooling ? ”
Check for Spoiled Food
There ’s no want to panic . If you ’ve been away for an extended period and notice that your refrigerator is n’t keeping its subject matter cold , first , check the intellectual nourishment inside . Keep an centre out for signs that the solid food has spoil and should be tossed . see for mould , for example , and slimy or off - textures in fresh green groceries . Also , check for glowering odors — such as rancid salad dressing — which can suggest that intellectual nourishment or condiments have spoiled .
While you figure out the issue , move your nutrient to coolers or insulate container , and keep everything cool with juiceless ice or bags of meth cubes . Then , follow our suggestions below on likely job and solutions .
Getty Images / AndreyPopov
Credit:Getty Images / AndreyPopov
Warning Signs That a Fridge Isn’t Cooling Properly
When a refrigerator has cooling military issue , it might not be discernible at first , so it ’s a effective idea to be aware of some word of advice signs that could indicate a job . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines recommend that the internal temperature of a refrigerator should be at about 40 ° F or low-spirited , while freezer should be arrange to 0 ° F or scummy .
If you suspect a problem with the internal gauge , you could buy an contraption thermometer to retard the temperature . In addition to the actual temperature , you should watch out for extravagant contraction on food and beverage packaging . Additionally , if the food inside the fridge is go bad or evidence signs of go bad at a firm charge per unit than normal , this can indicate that the icebox is not cooling properly .
Why Is My Fridge Not Cooling? 8 Possible Causes
1. Improper Temperature Setting
get going the troubleshooting outgrowth with the easiest result to decide and gradually work out through each possible cause . An issue that is light to overlook is the temperature background . arrest the telephone dial or the digital control panel to check what temperature the electric refrigerator is set to . Make certain to check both the icebox and deep freezer .
If it ’s too high , shift the temperature to ensure the intellectual nourishment stays cold . After changing the temperature , it will take about 24 hours for the temperature inside the electric refrigerator to stabilize . Recheck the temperature after this stop to decide if this reparation worked . If not , proceed to the next potential cause .
2. Overpacked or Cluttered Contents
Refrigerators cool the contents of both the fridge and freezer compartments . However , when the refrigerator is overpacked , it may have difficulty regulating the temperature . Similarly , if the content are cluttered or stack up at random , this can impact the appliance ’s cool down operation .
Resolving this problem is as easy asorganizing the refrigeratorand reducing the amount of food , beverages , and other items stored there . However , if the electric refrigerator is empty or nigh empty , it may experience exchangeable cooling issues , so it ’s recommend to keep it about half to three - quarters full for optimal cooling .
3. Blocked Air Vents
The cold air create by a refrigerator ask to be capable to course into the closed compartments of the freezer and electric refrigerator . If the air vents inside the icebox are blocked by food for thought , beverages , or other items , it can jam the gismo ’s cooling power and efficiency . Also , if the air vents are full of dirt , grime , icing , spilled food , or any other center , it can foreclose nerveless air from entering the refrigerator .
To fasten this military issue , clean house the atmosphere ventsandreorganize the refrigeratorso that nothing is blocking the air vents . Cleaning the vent should restore the flow of coolheaded aviation into the electric refrigerator and freezer compartments and meliorate the overallefficiency of the icebox .
4. Poor Installation Location
Thelocation of a refrigeratorcan make it difficult for the appliance to maintain the laid temperature . Refrigerators are generally intended for indoor usage , so if the fridge is set up in a service department , shop , or shed , it might clamber to keep up with cooling demands , peculiarly when the temperatures begin to soar during summertime weather .
Even if the electric refrigerator is inside , if it ’s locate on an exterior paries or positioned beside a door or window , the electric refrigerator may have some issues keeping the subject matter nerveless . to boot , the refrigerator requires at least ½ inch of space on the side and a full 1 inch of blank at the back for proper air circulation .
5. Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser scroll are located at the back or bottom of the refrigerator and are key components in the cooling mental process . If the condenser coils are coated in rubble , dirt , or other grime , they will not run properly , and your icebox wo n’t be able to keep food as coolheaded .
6. Uneven Surface
When a electric refrigerator does n’t sit level , it can affect its functionality . The room access may not close in good order , or the door switch may not work right , leading to problems with cooling . This result is relatively easy to check with a house of cards level . jell the level on the top of the fridge to determine if it is out of storey .
If the electric refrigerator is out of level , you could fix this problem by adjusting the feet on the bottom to increase or decrease the height of each corner . A refrigerator should be absolutely level from side to side , but from front to back , it should tilt about ¼ in toward the back to help the door shut right .
7. Dirty or Broken Gasket Seals
The doors of a refrigerator have gasket seals that help forestall frigid air from seep out of the unsympathetic compartment . When the gasket seals on the room access are too dirty , worn , or broken , they can preclude the doors from closing decent , leading to coolheaded air leak from the refrigerator and keep down cooling ability .
As long as the gasket seals are just foul , they can be scrubbed light with a moist material and dish soap . However , if the gasket seals are severely worn or damaged , you may want to contact an gismo resort professional to replace the gasket seals on the icebox .
8. Faulty Electric Supply
If the refrigerator is n’t experience big businessman , the widget wo n’t be able to keep the content nerveless . Check the back of the electric refrigerator to find the male plug and verify that it ’s properly plug in . If the light in the electric refrigerator is off , but it seems coolheaded inwardly , the problem might just be a burned - out incandescent lamp . However , if the electric refrigerator is n’t cooling and the light is still off , despite the appliance being secure in , then the refrigerator is n’t receiving power .
Check thecircuit breakerassociated with the fridge to aver that it is turned on . If the fridge is plug into aGFCI wall socket , it could have tripped the national surf , shutting down power to the appliance . constrict the reset button and learn if this resolves the job . If the fridge is still without electrical energy , you ’ll necessitate to contact a professional fixing technician to substitute the power supply .
When to Call a Professional
Some complex issues that could keep the refrigerator from cooling let in the fan motor not working , the compressor not turn on or switching off , a incorrect compressor relay , a misfunction internal thermoregulator , and evaporator fan problem . If you distrust one of these issues could be cause the fridge ’s problem , get through a repair professional . The technician will be able to troubleshoot the issue , suggest solution , or recommend interchange the building block if the problem ca n’t be ready .
New Refrigerators to Consider
Most refrigerators last between 10 and 14 year , so when it’stime to replace yours , look at the choice available and what would work out best for your space and your phratry . Gallic - doorrefrigeratorshave two doors that open from the center , making it easy to see all of the cognitive content at heart and offer more entrepot outer space for large items .
Small kitchen will benefit fromcounter - depth modelsthat take up less room in the work arena . Side - by - side refrigerator are a good choice if Deepfreeze outer space is a antecedence , and the side - by - side layout makes it more user - friendly since you’re able to see what ’s in the freezer more easily than in a drawer - fashion freezer .
“ How often should I clean my icebox and Deepfreeze ? ” Oregon State University Extension .
“ Why is My Refrigerator Not chill ? Common Issues & How to Fix Them . ” Erie Institute of Technology .
