Opening the door to a warm refrigerator isn't something anyone wants to experience. When it stops cooling, you may not know what to do. Pinpointing why your fridge isn't cooling is the first step to getting it up and running quickly.
Opening the refrigerator door to discover that it's warm isn't something anyone wants to experience, but it does happen. The key is to figure out why it stopped cooling and get it back up and running as quickly as possible. It's important to call a professional appliance repair service, since refrigerators have many complex interior parts, and you don't want to cause more damage trying to fix it yourself. Let's take a look at five possible reasons your fridge isn't cooling.
1. Faulty Door Seals or Compressor
Think of the compressor as the heart of your refrigerator's cooling system. When it fails, it isn't able to pump enough refrigerant to keep the fridge cool. As a result, your refrigerator can overheat, leading to spoiled food. What are some signs that your compressor may be struggling?
- Visible leaks - If you see refrigerant or oil leaking around or near the compressor, it could be a sign that it's starting to fail.
- Strange noises - As it wears down and stops working correctly, the compressor can start to make unusual or loud sounds like rattling, knocking, buzzing, or clicking.
- Higher electric bill - As the compressor works harder, you may notice your energy bill increasing due to the higher energy consumption.
- Overheating - You may notice the back of your refrigerator or the compressor itself feels warm or hot.
- Frequent cycling - The compressor can begin turning off and on more frequently as it tries to maintain the cooler temperature.
- Tripped circuit breakers - Since a failing compressor draws more current, it can cause frequent circuit breaker trips.
- Frost - Abnormal amounts of frost building up in your refrigerator or freezer could be a sign that the compressor isn't working correctly.
Along with a faulty compressor, worn-out or damaged door seals could cause your refrigerator to feel warm. Door seals prevent the cold air from escaping, so when the seal is no longer tight, your fridge has to work harder to cool itself properly. The result could be poor cooling overall.
2. Defective Thermostat
Your refrigerator's thermostat tells it when to turn off and on so that it maintains its set temperature. If it's broken, it may not be able to tell the compressor to turn on or sense the internal temperature correctly. Signs that your thermostat is defective, include:
- Excessive frost - If you notice excessive frost accumulation in the refrigerator or freezer, it could be due to a problem with the thermostat.
- Extreme or inconsistent temperatures - Your fridge feels warm or even hot.
- A non-working signal - Refrigerators with digital thermostat displays can send a non-working signal indicating a thermostat issue.
- Compressor problems - If your compressor fails to turn on or runs constantly, it could be a sign that the thermostat isn't communicating effectively.
- Freezing in the refrigerator - if your refrigerator is freezing your food, your thermostat may not be signaling to the cooling system to shut off correctly.
- Strange cycling - The cooling system turning on frequently or staying on.
A professional appliance repair company can test your thermostat and replace it if necessary.
3. Malfunctioning Evaporator Fan
Your refrigerator's evaporator fan is responsible for circulating the cold air throughout the interior. It does this by pulling in warm air and pushing it over the cooler evaporator coils, then blowing it back into the refrigerator. If the evaporator fan malfunctions, cold air isn't distributed, even when the compressor is running. Signs the evaporator fan may not be working include:
- Ice building up in the freezer - If the air can't circulate, moisture can build up and freeze around the evaporator coils, which could block the fan blades, worsening the issue.
- Warm refrigerator - A warm refrigerator is a common indication that the evaporator fan isn't running.
- Weird noises - A faulty fan can make weird noises like buzzing, ticking, or grinding, which may stop when the door opens.
- Running compressor - The compressor may run continuously as it tries to cool the refrigerator to the set temperature.
- Uneven cooling - Since the fan isn't moving the cool air around, you may notice some areas of your fridge are warmer or cooler than others.
4. Blocked Vents
Every refrigerator has vents on the inside that allow cool air to circulate between the fridge and freezer compartments. If they're blocked, either from improperly stored food or overcrowding, the cold air can't circulate properly throughout the interior. Your vents may be blocked if you notice:
- Mold growth or odor - Blocked air and moisture can cause bacterial and mold growth, leading to bad smells.
- Temperature issues - Without proper air circulation, your refrigerator may have inconsistent internal temperatures.
- Less efficiency - Blocked vents cause your refrigerator to work harder, which can increase electrical costs.
- Freezing food - Items in the way of the vent can freeze as the cold air hits them.
5. Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils allow your refrigerator to release heat and maintain the internal temperature. When they're dirty, they cause the appliance to work harder, which can make the compressor fail and shorten the refrigerator's lifespan. Signs of dirty condenser coils are:
- Reduced efficiency - Dirty coils can make your refrigerator work harder, reducing its efficiency.
- Greater energy consumption - As your fridge works harder, it uses more energy, possibly causing your electric bill to increase.
- Overactive compressor - You may notice your compressor working overtime to cool the fridge and push hot air out.
A warm refrigerator can be caused by numerous issues, like a faulty compressor or door seals, a defective thermostat, a malfunctioning evaporator fan, blocked air vents, or dirty condenser coils. It's important to call an experienced appliance repair company to ensure your fridge is fixed correctly. Mr. Appliance is proud to offer comprehensive appliance repair services in Rockwall, TX. No matter the issue, their experienced team has the skills and expertise to return your appliances to perfect working order. Experience the superior customer service, fair pricing, and unmatched professionalism from the most trusted name in appliance repair in Texas, Mr. Appliance.
