How to Fix a Refrigerator That Cools Poorly

Are the foods in your refrigerator spoiling quickly? Do your drinks feel warm? You could have a bad compressor or condenser fan, which means calling in a professional. But if you're lucky, the problem may just be dirty coils or troublesome door gaskets. To clean the coils, see How to Refresh a Smelly Refrigerator. To fix the gaskets, follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scrub Brush
• Soap
• Soap
• Dollar Bill
• Cord Caulk
• Replacement Gasket
• Screwdriver, or nut driver and socket

Inspecting and cleaning a door gasket

1. Inspect the gasket for dirt or debris that could prevent it from sealing. If you find any, remove the large debris, then wash the gasket, using a scrub brush and warm, soapy water.

2. Check the gasket for cracks or tears that can let cold air escape. If you find any, replace the gasket. If the gasket appears to be solid, go on to step 3.

3. Check the seal: Open the door, insert a dollar bill partway and shut the door on the bill. Try to pull out the bill. You should feel some resistance. Repeat the test at several points around each door. If the bill slips out easily, replace the gasket.

Replacing a door gasket

4. Remove the old gasket. It is held to the refrigerator by screws and a retainer strip that runs around all four sides of the door. Lift the lip of the gasket so you can see the screws. Loosen but do not remove the screws, using a screwdriver or a nut driver and socket. Pull the gasket from the retainer strip.

5. Buy a replacement gasket--and a package of cord caulk--at an appliance store.

6. Prepare the new gasket for installation: Soak it in warm water to soften it. Then place a 2-inch (5-cm) strip of cord caulk at each corner of the door where the gasket will sit. This will keep the gasket from curling at the corners when it's installed.

7. Install the new gasket: Slip the bead on the back of the gasket under the retainer strip. Tighten the retainer screws. Do the top and the bottom, then the sides. Make sure the gasket is straight and flat when you're done.

8. Close the door and check that the new gasket is touching on all four sides. If it isn't, the door has twisted while the gasket screws were loose, and you'll need to adjust it.

9. To adjust the door, loosen the retainer screws slightly, then grab the door at opposite corners and push or pull to remove the twist. Tighten the screws, then shut the door and recheck alignment. If the door still appears warped, repeat the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Before removing a gasket, empty the shelves on the door. This will reduce the likelihood that the door will warp when you loosen the retainer screws.
• Dirt and debris can quickly collect in the grooves in your door gaskets. To keep them sealing properly, check them every few months.

[buzzdoes11]

on 7/5/2009 I have a 2 year old refridgerator at a hunting camp - the refridgerator does not cool properly - and I suspect it could be a Voltage Problem - the Camp is serviced by a 100 amp service - BUT it is 250 feet away from the cabin - we are ussing a 4 conductor number 10 cable to provide AC to the Refridgerator - two wires for Power and two wires for ground - dedicated circuit - just for the refridgerator - The Voltage drops from 122 to 116 When the unit is plugged in - Have not measured current draw - The unit comes on and cools - BUT the refridgerator portion never cools properly. Any help would be apreciated.

[maddy18lee]

on 11/25/2008 I have a side by side and I am using the freezer as my fridge right now because the fridge side is not cold and the freezer side doesn't freeze. I've defrosted it and restarted it and after 2 or 3 days of working it started doing the same thing.

[LEBELO]

on 9/15/2008 How to fix a refrigerator that is not cooling at all.And to fix a side by side fridge/freezer that is leaking the water.

[densnet]

on 8/25/2008 1. and MOST IMPORTAINT! Unplug the fridge.
2. empty the freezer section.
3. remove the shelves.
4. remove the back "pretty" cover, and look for ICE
covering the coil.
5. using HOT water remove the ice, and a WetVac to
remove all the water.
6. Look for a thermal switch that may be broken.
Replace same, and re-assemble.

[timle]

on 1/9/2008 My 3 year old refrigerator make loud noise when it go to the cycle and just stop working..no cooling at all. I turned it off for a day and it will work for a few weeks and the loud noise come back when the auto switch on/off.
Any one has any idea where to look for the problem? thanks