Why is Your Refrigerator Not Cooling? Troubleshooting & DIY Tips

Are you noticing something strange with your refrigerator? That normally icy-cold temperature isn’t feeling so cold anymore and may even feel warm to the touch. A non-cooling refrigerator is a common problem with many possible causes. 

In this blog post, we’ll explain what could be causing the issue and provide troubleshooting tips that you can use as a DIY approach to discover why your fridge isn't cooling. You might be able to fix the problem without calling an appliance repair expert!

Refrigerator Not Cooling: Troubleshooting Tips

Before calling for professional help, here are some troubleshooting tips that you can try to address this issue.

Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coils on your fridge dissipate heat from the refrigerator. Over time, these coils can become dirty, leading to poor performance. You should be able to clean the condenser coils yourself with a vacuum and coil cleaning brush. However, instructions vary for each model. We recommend checking your refrigerator's manual or contacting the manufacturer.

Food Storage

Believe it or not, organizing and storing food can cause your fridge not to cool properly. Cool air vents in a refrigerator are like tiny wind tunnels that blow the cool air around inside. The vents can get blocked if your fridge is packed with too much food. Or the food inside needs to be correctly organized. Toss out old food and reorganize your fridge to unblock the cool air vents.

Faulty Door Seals

If your fridge door seals are weak or damaged, cold air may leak from the unit, making it less efficient. To check the seals, close a dollar bill in the door and try to remove it. If you can easily pull it out, your seals may be loose. In this case, replace the seals or adjust the door hinges to ensure a tight seal.

Thermostat Issues

If your fridge is not cooling well, there could be an issue with the thermostat. Your refrigerator's temperature should be set to 37°F. Your freezer's temperature should be set to 0°F. If the temperatures aren’t set correctly, adjust the thermostat accordingly and wait 24 hours for the temperature to cool.

Need Expert Help? Call Our Refrigerator Repair Technicians.

Have these DIY tips helped fix your fridge? If so, fantastic! If not, our refrigerator repair techs can diagnose the issue and repair any broken components.

Below are several components that may result in your fridge not cooling:

• Thermostat. The thermostat regulates the fridge's temperature. If malfunctioning, your fridge may become too warm or too cold. 
• Compressor. The compressor is like the heart of your fridge, pumping refrigerant to cool the air. A broken compressor won't cool properly.
• Evaporator Fan. This fan circulates cold air to your freezer and fridge. It also drives warm air over the evaporator coils. If it's broken, your fridge won't get the cold air it needs.
• Condenser Fan. The condenser fan helps dissipate heat by blowing air over the condenser coils. If it malfunctions, your fridge may struggle to cool down.
• Air Inlet Damper. The air inlet damper controls the amount of cold air entering your fridge. If stuck or broken, it can disrupt the airflow and temperature regulation.
• Circuit Board. Your refrigerator probably has a control board. The control board makes your fridge run. A malfunctioning circuit board can lead to erratic cooling or complete cooling failure.
• Thermistor. It senses the temperature inside the fridge and communicates with the control board. A malfunctioning thermistor can cause inaccurate temperature control.

At Mr. Appliance of Naples, we have over 30 years of refrigerator repair experience. We're also we are factory-certified to repair all brands of refrigerators. So whether you have a Samsung, GE, or Sub-Zero fridge, we can help. 

We know time is of the essence, so we strive to offer same-day and next-day service. We are always ready to provide reliable services to get your fridge back up and running - book your appointment today!