If you open your refrigerator and find sour milk or warm wine it should be obvious that your fridge is not getting cold enough. The problem is more than just irritation and odor; This is a health issue. Many foodborne pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and listeria, can grow in refrigerator is not cooling enough.
There is no need to rush out and buy a new refrigerator in many cases. Although you may eventually need to call an appliance technician for some repairs, other repairs are easy to perform and do not require any special tools or knowledge.
The average lifespan of a refrigerator is around 10 years and if properly maintained it can last up to 20 years. Listed below are 10 direct reasons why your refrigerator is not cooling and what to do about them.
Temperature Control Is Improperly Set
Resetting the temperature control is often the first and easiest solution to a refrigerator that isn’t cold enough. If you have children in the house, they are sometimes to blame for temperature control changes, especially if they are on the exterior of the fridge.
But anything can inadvertently reset the temperature, including brushing with your hand or pushing foods into the fridge or freezer. A problem with temperature control can also be a reason why you hear your refrigerator’s compressor running but the appliance is not cooling its contents.
How To Fix It
- To the desired temperature setting, turn on the thermostat.
- Be sure to check both the freezer and refrigerator, as they should have separate controls.
- Never expect the temperature will change immediately. Instead, allow the temperature to stabilize throughout the day.
Condenser Coils Are Dirty
Your refrigerator unit will not cool properly if the condenser coil at the back of the refrigerator has become dirty or has become spider-webbed. One of the easiest maintenance things you can do for your refrigerator is to take it out and clean the condenser coils at least every six months.
How to Fix It
- Open the anti-tip bracket located on the exterior bottom front of the cabinet.
- Carefully take out the refrigerator and clean the coils with a hand-held vacuum cleaner.
- Be careful not to bend or otherwise damage the coils.
Door Gaskets Are Not Clean
Over time, the flexible door seal (gasket) can become dirty from food or fingerprints, causing the door to no longer seal properly.
How to Fix It
- Wipe the gasket with a sponge and warm, soapy water.
- Also, wipe down the areas of the fridge where the gaskets touch.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners, brushes, scouring pads, flammable liquids, or window cleaning sprays.
Foods blocking air vents
Most refrigerators get cold air from a vent in the freezer section, regardless of the position of the freezer. This also includes side-by-side refrigerators that are not cooling. The cold air vent prevents food from getting inside the freezer part of the appliance.
How to Fix It
- Look for large boxes or bags that may have been inadvertently placed in front of the vent, preventing cold air from entering the unit.
- Pull those items aside or put them on a separate shelf.
- If there is a layer of ice blocking the vent, you should check. If so, remove it by gently prying it off and checking the temperature of the appliance.
Refrigerator Is Understocked
Helps maintain the coolness of the mass (food) within the refrigerator. Understocked refrigerators may have temperature problems and require more effort to maintain a cool temperature. A well-stocked (but not overstocked) refrigerator has enough mass to maintain a cold temperature.
How to Fix It
- Keep food and beverages limited to about three-quarters of the way in your refrigerator for proper air circulation.
- In a pinch, stash a few pitchers of water in empty corners of your fridge to give you some extra convenience to keep your appliance cool.
- Do not overfill your fridge as air circulation is also required to keep items properly cooled.
Door gaskets are bad and need replacing
If you’ve cleaned the door gaskets, but they still don’t seal correctly, it’s time to completely replace the gasket. They may be very old and brittle. To confirm, close your refrigerator with a dollar bill in the door, then pull on the bill to see if it comes out easily. If you have to pull a little to release the bill, your gaskets are fine. If the bill comes out too easily, your gasket needs to be replaced. This can be a do-it-yourself project to save money.
How to Fix It
- You should choose door gaskets online universal and brand-specific.
- Soak the new gasket in warm water for a few minutes to make it more flexible for installation.
- Loosen and remove the old gasket (you may need to remove screws in this process).
- Lay the new gasket according to the instructions.
Refrigerator Is Out of Level
The refrigerator must be close to level to function properly. If your refrigerator is not level, the doors may not close or the door switch may not function properly, meaning the appliance will not cool your food.
How to Fix It
- To check levels, you should use a bubble or laser level.
- The refrigerator should be completely level from side to side.
- However, from front to back, the refrigerator must tilt back 1/4 inch to allow the doors to close properly.
Clearances Are Not Maintained
There should be enough space on the sides and especially the rear of the refrigerator for proper cooling air circulation.
How to Fix It
- Check your instructions for details on tolerances. Tolerances depend on the brand of your refrigerator.
- Generally, you’ll need at least 3/8-inch over the edges.
- You will need at least 1 inch of tolerance in the back.
- After sliding the unit back into place, be sure to reset the anti-tip brackets located on the bottom two front corners of the unit.
Location Is Affecting the Cooling Capacity
If the refrigerator is stored in a hot or cold environment, such as outside or in a garage, it may affect the cooling capacity of the unit. A garage that is too cold will cause the refrigerator to freeze and its contents will not cool. If the garage is hot, the fridge will work overtime to cool the interior.
Even when the fridge is located in a temperate climate, hot appliances such as a dishwasher, range, or oven located near the fridge can affect the fridge’s cooling.
How to Fix It
- To protect the refrigerator from the heat of the stove, apply heat-insulating material on the walls of the refrigerator.
- Use your kitchen fan while cooking to reduce heat in the kitchen.
- Encase the refrigerator in a customized box to isolate the appliance from other hot appliances. It is also a solution for refrigerators located in garages with extreme temperatures.
Electric Supply Is Faulty
The fridge may not be plugged in or the plug may be loose. If the fridge lights are not on and it is not cold inside, this could be the problem. If the fridge is cool inside but the lights are not on, it is likely the bulb is burnt out.
How to Fix It
- Make sure your refrigerator’s electrical plug is tight and solid in the outlet.
- Check outlet type. The refrigerator should not be plugged into a GFCI outlet because the GCFI may shut off power to the refrigerator.
FAQ
Que: Why is my refrigerator not cooling?
Ans: Possible causes are problems with the evaporator fan or coils that are not working properly. Another problem may be a malfunction of the defrost timer. Although you can troubleshoot the problem as a DIY project, it may be best to call a professional.
Que: Should I unplug my refrigerator if it is not cooling?
Ans: If your fridge is not cooling but the light is on, there may be ice accumulation in your freezer. Unplugging your refrigerator can be a good troubleshooting step. Ice may be blocking a vent in the freezer preventing part of your refrigerator from cooling properly.
Que: When should I lower the temperature of my refrigerator?
Ans: Lower the temperature by one degree (make it cooler) during the hot summer months. When there is too much heat and humidity, your refrigerator will struggle to keep items cold. The stuff you keep in your fridge can get hotter than room temperature on a hot day and your fridge needs an extra boost to keep the food cold.
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