Refrigerator Not Cooling: How to Prepare Fridge Problems

Refrigerator not cooling? Here'due south how to fix a refrigeration and some refrigerator troubleshooting

Introduction

Here'due south how to troubleshoot a failing fridge that's lost its frosty feel. This pace-by-step guide volition evidence you lot how to identify the problem and maybe even fix it yourself. Fifty-fifty if the repair requires a pro, y'all will be able to show them the problem thus saving them time and you money.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Evaporator fan and/or condenser fan

Problem: Fridge Not Cooling

There are several possible causes when a fridge doesn't continue your milk cold or your water ice foam frozen. Earlier you endeavor more complex repairs, effort these elementary fixes if your refrigerator is non cooling and if your freezer is not working:

  • Be sure the fridge is plugged in and getting power. The calorie-free should come on when yous open the door.
  • Bank check the thermostat to make sure it hasn't been turned way down by mistake. If your fridge/freezer thermostat isn't working, get these piece of cake to install thermostats on Amazon.
  • Be sure the vents on the back of the freezer compartment aren't blocked by boxes of ice cream or frozen vegetables—the vents accept to exist articulate for cold air to circulate.
  • Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Chock-full coils can cause poor cooling.
  • Bank check to make certain nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that information technology spins freely (models with coils on the back won't accept a fan). To do this, unplug the fridge and pull it out. Make clean the fan blades and spin the fan by hand to see if information technology's stuck. Plug in the fridge and brand sure the fan runs when the compressor is running. If the fan doesn't run, see the directions below, which show how to supervene upon information technology.

In this video, nosotros'll show yous some additional tips for troubleshooting refrigerator problems:

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Replace the Fridge Evaporator Fan

Here are some fridge troubleshooting tips to help y'all zippo in on the problem if y'all notice your fridge not cooling. If you lot can hear the compressor running but the fridge isn't cooling, the problem is nigh probable either frost-clogged evaporator coils or a stuck or cleaved evaporator fan. Evaporator fans oftentimes bleat or chirp when they start to go bad. Y'all'll know it'southward the evaporator fan if the noise gets louder when you open the freezer door. The evaporator coils and fan are located behind a cover in the freezer compartment

Buy an evaporator fan kit on Amazon.

If you lot remove the embrace within the freezer and observe the coils completely filled with frost, have everything out of the freezer and fridge, unplug it and allow it thaw for 24 to 48 hours. Go along a few towels handy to soak up water that may leak onto the flooring. When all the frost is melted away, plug the fridge back in. If information technology works, the problem may exist a defrost timer, defrost heater or defrost thermostat. Replacing these parts isn't difficult, simply figuring out which is faulty requires troubleshooting that nosotros won't cover here. Call a pro if you suspect a trouble with these parts.

Normally the fridge condenser fan and compressor, located nigh the floor on the back of most refrigerators, come up on when the thermostat calls for more cooling. If y'all don't hear the compressor running after the door has been left open up 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 supplant the evaporator fan below.

Projection step-past-pace (6)

Step one

Remove Comprehend

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 identify. So remove the comprehend to reach the fan.

Stride 3

Remove Evaporator Fan

remove evaporator fan fridge freezer fan

Supervene upon the evaporator fan if it's noisy or doesn't spin. First, unplug the refrigerator. Then remove the screws that concur the fan to the wall of the freezer.

Step 4

Supersede the Fan

replace and install freezer fridge condenser fan

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

Pace v

Replace the Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Replace the Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, unplug it and remove the thin panel on the back near the bottom to access the compressor and condenser fan. Next plug the fridge in and expect for the compressor to come on. The fan should likewise come on. If the compressor runs but the fan doesn't, or if the fan is noisy, you lot need a new fan. If neither runs and the compressor is hot, unplug the fridge and betoken a fan or a hair dryer gear up to "no heat" at the compressor. Wait for the compressor to cool and try 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 Supersede Condenser Fan

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

Step 6

Install the New Fan

install new refrigerator condenser fan

Cut the wires shut to the onetime fan. Strip the wires and connect the new fan with wire connectors. Screw 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