How to Fix A Fridge That’s Not Cooling—What to Know
Whether you’ve got a mini-fridge on your bedroom carpet or a fridge freezer without a water dispenser, they are all useless if they aren’t cooling your food properly. A non-freezing refrigerator is not only an oxymoron, it’s a dilemma in the home too. It means you can’t store food, make ice, and worst of all, no cold beers for you! But don’t fret, you too can learn to troubleshoot and fix your fridge to get it back to working capacity.
To help you out, this guide will help you to fix a number of common cooling problems. If you want to save money or get yourself into home appliance repair, this project is designed for you! This is also a step in the right direction for other future repair projects—so keep these in mind when faced with minor home appliance problems.
Basic Fridge Troubleshooting
Before considering the replacement of parts and installing them, there are basic maintenance checks that can easily fix your fridge. It may seem that the issue is deeply-rooted and complex, but it can also just be a simple glitch—like a slightly loose wire or incorrect settings that result in poor mini-fridge electricity use. To identify the most common of them, look into this list:
- The fridge coils may need cleaning and can be the root cause of poor cooling. Vacuum them and then wipe them down to clear it out.
- The fridge light must turn on as soon as the door is opened.
- Make sure the fridge thermostat is not turned off or on a low-level. If it runs and yet doesn’t deliver on the set cooling temperature, it may be poor mini-fridge electricity integration.
- If you have a freezer, make sure the cooling vents are not blocked by thick ice or too many frozen products.
- Make sure the refrigerator fans are also cleaned out. Observe if it’s jammed when you run the compressor.
- Notice whether the compressor fan or evaporator fan is running noisily or if it is not running at all. If either is the issue, then you need to replace them immediately.
Fridge Repairing Tools and Where To Repair
If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, you need to know what tools you need for the job and where to have it repaired. The tools you need will be a wire stripper or cutter, a socket/ratchet set, and an evaporator fan/condenser fan that is compatible with your fridge. Take note of other damaged fridge parts that you may need to factor in as well.
Once you have all your tools, you want to be working either outside in open sunlight or in an open space inside the house, like your garage. This will ensure you have proper lighting and enough space to move around.
Replacing Fridge Parts
To get your fridge up and cooling again, refer to the items on this list. Rule out which parts need to be replaced and follow the process carefully. If you feel that you may break the fridge further or you installed something incorrectly, immediately call fridge repair services, as you will end up spending more money if you don’t.
Replacing the Fridge Evaporator/Condenser Fan
If the fridge compressor is running, the evaporator fan needs to be replaced. First, you need to let your fridge thaw out for 1 to 2 days. Next, locate the fan—this is most of the time found at the back, near the floor. Remove the cover and the screws (be careful of the plastic plugs). Next, remove the fan gently and replace it with the new one. Attach the new fan to the wires with the wire stripper, and then test it if it runs.
Replacing the Compressor
If the whole compressor is the issue, this needs professional repair services as it is not easy to fix by your own hand. In fact, there is a bigger chance of making a mistake in this process—which is why it’s crucial to have an expert hand help you out.
Conclusion
If your fridge shows any signs of malfunctioning, make sure you either repair your fridge yourself or get it repaired immediately. Grocery bills and electricity bills both increase when it doesn’t work. So, don’t freeze up—get your refrigerator running immediately!
Have any fridge-related problems like mini-fridge electricity problems? We’ve got all the fridge repair and buying guide information you need. Learn more about your fridge with us!