Refrigerator Non Cooling: How to Fix Refrigerator Problems

Refrigerator non cooling? Here's how to fix a refrigeration and some refrigerator troubleshooting

Introduction

Here'southward how to troubleshoot a declining refrigerator that's lost its frosty feel. This step-by-pace guide will evidence yous how to place the problem and possibly even fix information technology yourself. Even if the repair requires a pro, you will be able to bear witness them the trouble thus saving them time and you coin.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Evaporator fan and/or condenser fan

Problem: Fridge Not Cooling

There are several possible causes when a refrigerator doesn't go on your milk cold or your ice cream frozen. Before you endeavor more than complex repairs, try these simple fixes if your fridge is non cooling and if your freezer is not working:

  • Be sure the fridge is plugged in and getting power. The light should come on when you open the door.
  • Bank check the thermostat to make certain it hasn't been turned mode down by mistake. If your fridge/freezer thermostat isn't working, get these easy to install thermostats on Amazon.
  • Be certain the vents on the dorsum of the freezer compartment aren't blocked by boxes of ice foam or frozen vegetables—the vents have to be clear for cold air to broadcast.
  • Vacuum the coils nether or behind the refrigerator. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling.
  • Check to brand certain nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that it spins freely (models with coils on the dorsum won't have a fan). To do this, unplug the fridge and pull it out. Make clean the fan blades and spin the fan by mitt to see if it'due south stuck. Plug in the fridge and make sure the fan runs when the compressor is running. If the fan doesn't run, see the directions below, which show how to replace information technology.

In this video, we'll bear witness you some additional tips for troubleshooting fridge problems:

Replace the Fridge Evaporator Fan

Hither are some refrigerator troubleshooting tips to help y'all cypher in on the problem if y'all find your fridge non cooling. If you tin hear the compressor running simply the refrigerator isn't cooling, the problem is nearly likely either frost-clogged evaporator coils or a stuck or cleaved evaporator fan. Evaporator fans frequently squeal or chirp when they start to go bad. Yous'll know it'south the evaporator fan if the noise gets louder when y'all open the freezer door. The evaporator coils and fan are located backside a cover in the freezer compartment

Purchase an evaporator fan kit on Amazon.

If you remove the cover within the freezer and find the coils completely filled with frost, take everything out of the freezer and refrigerator, unplug it and permit it thaw for 24 to 48 hours. Go on a few towels handy to soak up water that may leak onto the floor. When all the frost is melted away, plug the fridge dorsum in. If it works, the problem may be 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 hither. Call a pro if y'all suspect a trouble with these parts.

Normally the refrigerator condenser fan and compressor, located near the floor on the dorsum of near refrigerators, come on when the thermostat calls for more cooling. If yous don't hear the compressor running after the door has been left open for a while, it could mean the condenser fan is stuck or worn out or that the relay or compressor is bad. Learn how to supercede the evaporator fan below.

Project footstep-by-stride (vi)

Step ane

Remove Cover

remove refrigerator cover

Remove the embrace to audit the refrigerator evaporator and to access the evaporator fan. The screws may exist covered with plastic plugs that you pry out.

Footstep 2

Remove Fan Encompass

Remove refrigerator Fan Cover

If your refrigerator has a fan comprehend, remove the screws that hold information technology in place. Then remove the cover to reach the fan.

Step 3

Remove Evaporator Fan

remove evaporator fan fridge freezer fan

Replace the evaporator fan if it'south noisy or doesn't spin. First, unplug the refrigerator. So remove the screws that agree the fan to the wall of the freezer.

Stride 4

Replace the Fan

replace and install freezer fridge condenser fan

Replace the old fan with a new one. Remove the mounting subclass from the onetime fan and attach information technology to the new fan. Unplug the wires and switch them from the sometime fan to the new fan. Reinstall the fan and supplant 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 thin panel on the back near the bottom to admission the compressor and condenser fan. Next plug the fridge in and wait for the compressor to come up on. The fan should too come up 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 fridge and signal a fan or a hair dryer fix to "no heat" at the compressor. Expect for the compressor to absurd and endeavor again. If the compressor runs but the fan doesn't, the fan is bad. Unplug the refrigerator and supersede the fan (project directions below). If neither runs, then y'all may demand a new relay or compressor. Call an appliance repair technician to find out.

When to Replace Condenser Fan

Supervene upon the condenser fan if it's noisy or doesn't run. Depending on your fridge repair, you may have to remove the fan bracket showtime, and and then unscrew the fan from the bracket.

Step 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. Screw the new fan to the bracket and reinstall the fan and bracket in the fridge.

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

Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.