Refrigerator Not Cooling? A Step-by-Step Checklist Before You Call
Simple checks for a refrigerator that is not cooling, what each symptom usually means, and when it is time to call a technician.
Check the easy things first
Make sure the fridge is plugged in and the outlet works, and that nobody bumped the temperature dial. Look at the door gaskets: slip a dollar bill in the door and close it. If it slides out easily, the seal is not holding.
Crowded shelves can block the vents between the freezer and the fresh-food section. Move items away from the back wall and give the air room to flow.
Clean the condenser coils
The coils, usually under the front grille or on the back, get covered in dust and pet hair. Dirty coils make the compressor run longer and hotter. Unplug the fridge, remove the grille and clean them with a coil brush and vacuum. Doing this once or twice a year can prevent many service calls.
Read the symptoms
Freezer cold but fridge warm: often a defrost problem or a failed evaporator fan. Look for heavy frost on the freezer's back panel.
Both sections warm and a clicking sound: the compressor may be trying to start, which often points to the start relay.
Fridge runs constantly: dirty coils, a bad door seal, or a failing condenser fan.
Protect your food
Keep the doors closed. A full freezer stays frozen longer than a half-empty one. Food in the fresh-food section is generally safe for about four hours without power or cooling, according to food safety guidance; move perishables to a cooler with ice if the repair will take longer.
When to call a technician
Call for help if the simple checks do not fix it, if you hear the compressor clicking on and off, or if there is oil around the tubing, which can signal a refrigerant leak. Sealed-system repairs require an EPA Section 608 certified technician. Before approving the job, ask what part failed, the total price, and whether replacement makes more sense for the age of the unit.