A refrigerator not cooling isn't just annoying; it can lead to sour milk, warm wine, and spoiled food. Thankfully, there are simple DIY solutions for the most common causes of an incorrect fridge temperature that can help solve the problem.
So before you run out to buy a new fridge, check the top ten reasons why your refrigerator is not cooling, and exactly how to fix them.
Signs Your Fridge Isn’t Cooling Properly
Aside from sour milk, other signs you need to look out for that could indicate your refrigerator is not cooling include:
- The thermostat reading anything above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Your attached freezer reading at over zero degrees.
- Excess frost or ice buildup, especially around vents.
- More condensation inside the fridge than usual.
- Foul smells when you open your refrigerator.
- Fresh produce wilting quickly or spoiling before the expiration date.
Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling? 10 Reasons
Wrong Temperature Setting
Resetting the temperature control is often the first—and easiest— fix for a refrigerator not cooling. A thermostat is easy to accidentally bump or push, and too high of a temperature setting will lead to spoiled food, while too low of a temperature can cause food in your fridge to start freezing.
Thankfully, the thermostat is just as easy to correct. Locate the thermostat dial (typically on the ceiling of the fridge next to the light) and change it to the correct temperature setting—between 35 and 38 degrees— then wait a day for the temperature of your fridge to restabilize.
Tip
The FDA recommends that refrigerators be at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and that freezers be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Purchase a separate appliance thermometer to check temperatures rather than relying on internal gauges.
Full Refrigerator
Refrigerators stay cool by circulating air throughout the appliance, and when they are overfilled with too much food, air flow is blocked. This prevents the inside of your fridge from regulating its temperature, and could be the reason why your refrigerator is not cooling. Making use of refrigerator organization techniques and storing your food more efficiently will free up vertical space, and allow cool air to flow again.
Tip
Under-stocking your fridge can also cause temperature issues, because refrigerators need to have enough mass to retain cooler temperatures. Try to keep your refrigerator about three-quarters full of food and beverages.
Fridge Location
Indoor refrigerators have a specific cooling capacity and should always be used inside your home only—for additional food storage, you need a specific garage refrigerator built to withstand the wider range of temperatures.
Placing your fridge too close to your walls, other cabinets, or hot appliances such as dishwashers, ranges, and ovens can also impact its ability to cool, so make sure you use your kitchen's fan while cooking to reduce heat, and are allowing for enough clearance on the sides and back of your refrigerator: at least 3/8-inch on the sides, and 1-inch in the back.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are found on the back of your refrigerator, cooling refrigerant fluid and allowing your appliance to fill with cool air. When they are dirty or dusty, the fridge cannot properly cool. Prevent this issue by pulling your refrigerator out and cleaning the condenser coils every six months with a dusting wand and a handheld vacuum or attachment, taking care not to bend the coils.
Tip
If you have pets, you should consider pulling the refrigerator out and cleaning the coils more frequently than every six months.
Blocked Air Vents
Most refrigerators get their cool air from vents connected to the freezer section, and food items or built-up ice could be blocking the cool air vent from letting the freezer air come through and keeping your fridge from cooling. Locate the vents between your fridge and freezer, and move any items that are blocking them. Remove any ice blocking the vents by gently chipping it away.
Dirty Door Seals
Over time, the flexible door seals (also called gaskets) on your refrigerator can build up dirt and debris from food or fingerprints, keeping the door from sealing properly and letting cool air out. You can solve this problem by wiping down the gaskets and parts of the fridge they touch with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Avoid abrasive cleaners, brushes, scouring pads, flammable fluids, or window cleaning sprays, as these can damage the gaskets as well.
Broken Door Seals
If you have cleaned the gaskets but they still aren't sealing, they may have broken or detached from your fridge's door over the years, which will also cause cool air to leak from the fridge. Check if you need to replace your gaskets by closing your refrigerator with a dollar bill in the door, and pulling on the bill to see if it comes out too easily.
DIY this fix by getting a universal or brand-specific door gaskets, and soaking the new gasket in hot water to make it more flexible. While you wait, remove any screws and loosen and detach the old gasket, then follow the new gasket's instructions to lay it in place.
Unlevel Fridge
If your refrigerator isn't properly balanced, it could impact the door's ability to close or prevent the door switch from working correctly. This means the appliance won't cool down your food. Use a bubble or laser level to check your fridge is perfectly level from side-to-side, and tilting 1/4 inch towards the back when measured from front to back to allow doors to shut properly.
Loose Plug
Sometimes the problem can be solved with the simplest solution: the plug. It's possible your refrigerator isn't plugged in, or the plug is loose. If the light in the fridge isn't on and it's not cold inside, this could be the issue. But if the fridge is cold inside but there's no light, it's likely a burned-out bulb.
Double-check your refrigerator's plug is tight and solid in the outlet, and make sure it's in the correct outlet type. GFCI outlets may shut off power to the fridge.
Stuck Condenser Fan
Your refrigerator's condenser fan can be found on the outside of the appliance next to the condenser coils and compressor (the component pumping the refrigerant). If it gets stuck due to built-up dirt, debris, or stored objects, the compressor can overheat and cause your fridge to shut down. If you clear everything out and the fan still isn't running, you may need to replace the its motor.
When to Call a Pro
Fixing or replacing a condenser fan's motor requires a professional, and so do some of the less common, more complex reasons for a refrigerator not cooling.
If the compressor is not turning on or off, its safety device—the compressor relay—needs replacing, the thermostat isn't working, or the internal evaporator fan is no longer blowing cool air when you open your refrigerator's door, you'll need to call an appliance technician, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) specialist, or an engineer.
Cost to Fix a Refrigerator
DIY fixes for cooling issues such as organizing an overfull fridge, adjusting refrigerator locations, and cleaning condenser coils, air vents, or gaskets can all be done at no cost, with the use of cleaning supplies and food storage containers you already have around the house.
Replacing the gaskets on your refrigerator door will cost between $35 and $100, fridge leveling feet are $10 to $20, and laser levels can range from $50 to $150. Professional repairs for other refrigerator components will cost anywhere between $100 and $600.
Signs You Need a New Refrigerator
Sometimes a refrigerator not cooling could simply be down to its age. The average fridge has a lifespan of 10 years—and up to 20 if it's regularly maintained—so consider a new refrigerator if your appliance's age is within this range.
Other signs you need a new refrigerator include technical issues such as loud noises, excessive condensation, and increased electrical bills from your fridge overworking. It's also important to consider how additions to the family, more home cooking, and any other lifestyle changes may impact the size of refrigerator your household needs, and if it may be time for an upgrade to a bigger model.
FAQ
Why is my refrigerator not cooling but the freezer is?
The likely cause is a problem with the evaporator fan or coils that are not functioning properly. Another problem could be a defrost timer malfunction. Although you can troubleshoot the problem as a DIY project, it may be best to call in a pro.
Should I unplug my refrigerator if it's not cooling?
If your fridge is not cooling but the light is on,your freezer may have an icy build-up. Unplugging your refrigerator may be a good troubleshooting move. The ice may be blocking a vent in the freezer that's preventing your refrigerator portion from properly cooling.
When should I turn down the temperature in my refrigerator?
Turn down the temperature (which makes it colder) a notch in the hot summer months. When it's very hot and humid, your refrigerator will struggle to keep items cold. The items you put into your fridge may also be very warm from the room temperature on a hot day and your fridge needs that extra boost to keep food cold.
