Refrigerator Not Cooling: How to Fix Refrigerator Problems

Fridge not cooling? Hither's how to set up a refrigeration and some refrigerator troubleshooting

Introduction

Here's how to troubleshoot a failing fridge that'due south lost its frosty feel. This step-by-step guide will show you how to place the problem and maybe even set it yourself. Even if the repair requires a pro, you will exist able to show them the trouble thus saving them fourth dimension and you coin.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Evaporator fan and/or condenser fan

Problem: Refrigerator Non Cooling

In that location are several possible causes when a refrigerator doesn't keep your milk cold or your water ice cream frozen. Before yous attempt more complex repairs, try these unproblematic fixes if your refrigerator is not cooling and if your freezer is not working:

  • Be certain the fridge is plugged in and getting power. The light should come on when you open the door.
  • Check the thermostat to make sure it hasn't been turned manner down by mistake. If your fridge/freezer thermostat isn't working, get these easy to install thermostats on Amazon.
  • Be sure the vents on the dorsum of the freezer compartment aren't blocked past boxes of ice cream or frozen vegetables—the vents have to be clear for cold air to broadcast.
  • Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling.
  • Cheque to make sure nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that information technology spins freely (models with coils on the back won't have a fan). To practise this, unplug the fridge and pull it out. Clean the fan blades and spin the fan by hand to meet if it's stuck. Plug in the fridge and make sure the fan runs when the compressor is running. If the fan doesn't run, come across the directions below, which evidence how to supervene upon it.

In this video, we'll show you some boosted tips for troubleshooting refrigerator issues:

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Replace the Refrigerator Evaporator Fan

Here are some refrigerator troubleshooting tips to help you aught in on the trouble if you notice your fridge non cooling. If you lot tin can hear the compressor running but the fridge isn't cooling, the problem is near likely either frost-clogged evaporator coils or a stuck or cleaved evaporator fan. Evaporator fans oft squeal or chirp when they start to go bad. You lot'll know it's the evaporator fan if the dissonance gets louder when y'all open up the freezer door. The evaporator coils and fan are located behind a encompass in the freezer compartment

Buy an evaporator fan kit on Amazon.

If y'all remove the cover inside the freezer and notice the coils completely filled with frost, take everything out of the freezer and fridge, unplug it and let it thaw for 24 to 48 hours. Proceed a few towels handy to soak up h2o that may leak onto the floor. When all the frost is melted abroad, plug the refrigerator back in. If it works, the problem may exist a defrost timer, defrost heater or defrost thermostat. Replacing these parts isn't difficult, but figuring out which is faulty requires troubleshooting that we won't cover here. Call a pro if y'all suspect a trouble with these parts.

Normally the fridge condenser fan and compressor, located near the flooring on the back of nigh refrigerators, come up on when the thermostat calls for more cooling. If you don't hear the compressor running afterwards the door has been left open for a while, information technology could mean the condenser fan is stuck or worn out or that the relay or compressor is bad. Learn how to supervene upon the evaporator fan beneath.

Project stride-by-stride (6)

Footstep 1

Remove Cover

remove refrigerator cover

Remove the cover to inspect the refrigerator evaporator and to access the evaporator fan. The screws may be covered with plastic plugs that you pry out.

Step 2

Remove Fan Cover

Remove refrigerator Fan Cover

If your refrigerator has a fan comprehend, remove the screws that hold it in place. So remove the comprehend to reach the fan.

Step iii

Remove Evaporator Fan

remove evaporator fan fridge freezer fan

Supplant the evaporator fan if it'southward noisy or doesn't spin. Offset, unplug the fridge. Then remove the screws that hold the fan to the wall of the freezer.

Step 4

Replace the Fan

replace and install freezer fridge condenser fan

Replace the old fan with a new one. Remove the mounting bracket from the old fan and attach it to the new fan. Unplug the wires and switch them from the quondam fan to the new fan. Reinstall the fan and replace the cover.

Step 5

Replace the Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Replace the Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Pull the fridge away from the wall, unplug it and remove the sparse panel on the back about the bottom to access the compressor and condenser fan. Next plug the fridge in and wait for the compressor to come on. The fan should as well come on. If the compressor runs but the fan doesn't, or if the fan is noisy, you need a new fan. If neither runs and the compressor is hot, unplug the refrigerator and indicate a fan or a hair dryer set to "no estrus" at the compressor. Wait for the compressor to cool and try again. If the compressor runs just the fan doesn't, the fan is bad. Unplug the refrigerator and replace the fan (project directions beneath). If neither runs, then you may demand a new relay or compressor. Call an appliance repair technician to find out.

When to Replace Condenser Fan

Supersede the condenser fan if it's noisy or doesn't run. Depending on your fridge repair, you may accept to remove the fan bracket first, and and so unscrew the fan from the bracket.

Pace 6

Install the New Fan

install new refrigerator condenser fan

Cut the wires close to the old fan. Strip the wires and connect the new fan with wire connectors. Spiral the new fan to the subclass and reinstall the fan and bracket in the fridge.

Check out how to effectively clean a stinky fridge and freezer.

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Originally Published: Dec 17, 2018