Why Won't My Refrigerator & Freezer Cool?

Several malfunctions can cause cooling problems in refrigerators and freezers.

There are few things more frustrating -- and possibly expensive -- than a refrigerator and freezer that do not cool. In addition to failing to perform their basic functions, the failure to cool also could mean piles of spoiled foods.

Temperature Settings

Check that your refrigerator and freezer temperatures are set properly. Turn down the temperatures and wait for several hours. Check again to see if that corrected the problem.

Broken Seals

The seals around the door of your refrigerator or freezer may be cracked or broken. Run your hands slowly around the door frame and observe whether you can feel cool air. If so, the seals are not functioning properly.

Condenser Debris

Dirt or dust buildup on the condenser coils can hamper your appliance's cooling. Condenser coils look like small, thin radiators. Remove the bottom kick panel or look on the unit's back side to locate the coils and determine if this could be the problem. If so, unplug the appliance and vacuum the coils using a brush attachment. Plug the appliance in and give the refrigerator and freezer several hours to a day to cool.

Evaporator Coils

Frost accumulating on the evaporator coils could prevent the refrigerator and freezer from cooling properly. As frost builds, the coils cannot cool the air that is pumped into the unit. Look for ice on the inside walls, ceiling and floor of the freezer as a clue that the evaporator coils could be compacted with ice.

Other Possible Problems

Failure to cool also could indicate a problem with the refrigerator and freezer's internal thermometer, defrost timer, compressor or motor. A repairman can test each of these components to determine the exact cause.

References

• Repair Clinic: Refrigerator Troubleshooting
• Appliance Aid: Refrigeration Appliance Repair Aid