Why Is My Refrigerator Not Getting Cold?

A refrigerator that won't stay cool may only have a broken gasket.

Though typically durable, refrigerators can succumb to a number of service issues. Refrigerators that do not stay cool may have troubles that range from something as simple as a broken seal to major problems that require professional service.

Causes

A wide array of issues can cause refrigerators to cool improperly. According to the appliance website Appliance Aid, common problems include frozen coils, stuck air dampers and broken gaskets that allow cool air to escape. Additionally, unplugged refrigerators and those left on the "Demo" setting may also fail to stay cool.

Air Flow

According to Appliance Aid, many refrigerators feature a design in which cold air flows from the freezer to the refrigerator. If the air damper between the two compartments becomes stuck, or if frozen coils inhibit air flow, the refrigerator may not stay cool. In this situation, the attached freezer may stay cold, or may become colder than normal, despite the refrigerator's warmth.

Resolution

In some cases, appliance owners may manually clear the air damper or defrost frozen coils to restore cool air to the refrigerator compartment. If these actions do not resolve the issue, or if the freezer compartment also fails to cool, the refrigerator may require professional service.

References

• Appliance Aid: My Refrigerator is Running But Not Cold Enough
• GE Appliances: Refrigerator - Not Cold Enough