Why Your Fridge Is Not Cooling

What this usually means

A warm fridge is alarming, but the cause is often airflow, defrost, or a seal, not a dead compressor. Start with temperatures: a fridge should sit around 37 degrees and a freezer around 0, measured with a thermometer, not the display. Check that vents inside are not blocked by overpacking, that coils underneath or behind are not caked in dust, and that the door seal grips a banknote all the way around. Frost thick on the freezer walls points to a defrost fault or a seal leak letting humid air in. A fan that never runs, or a compressor that never stops, both deserve a call rather than a guess. Do not open sealed refrigeration pipework yourself, and keep food safety in mind: perishable food above 40 degrees for more than two hours should be discarded, however annoying that is.

What to check safely

If the fridge is warm and the freezer is fine, airflow or a fan is the likely story. If both are warm, power, thermostat, or compressor cycling comes first. Cleaning coils and clearing vents are safe homeowner steps, unplugging first. Anything involving gas, sealed refrigerant, or live electrics is technician work, and a short call describing temperatures and sounds gets a faster, more accurate visit.

• Note the symptom, when it started, and whether it is getting worse.
• Check filters, hoses, seals, and vents only where you can do so safely, with power or water off where needed.
• Do not open sealed refrigeration pipework or work on live electrics yourself.

Related reading

Refrigerator Repair, Freezer Repair; appliance repair in Indian Lake.

When to call

If the problem involves water spreading, a gas smell, burning smells, sparks, or food at risk, call (615) 583-1836 right away. For gas, leave and call the utility first. Otherwise, call and describe what you found using the steps above, and we will advise the next step with no form and no pressure. See all appliance services.