Refrigerator

Refrigerator not cooling: the safe checks

Before calling anyone, rule out airflow and door problems. These are the checks a technician does first, and they are all safe.

1. 1

   Confirm what is warm

   Note whether only the fridge side is warm or both sides. Only the fridge warm points to airflow; both warm points to the cooling system.

2. 2

   Check the dial or app setting

   Make sure nobody knocked the temperature control or left a holiday/demo mode on.

3. 3

   Clear the vents

   Move food away from the vents inside, especially the back wall and the gap between freezer and fridge.

4. 4

   Look for frost

   Open the freezer and look at the back wall. Heavy frost or a solid sheet of ice means the defrost system needs a professional.

5. 5

   Listen for the fan

   With the door closed, listen for a fan. Silence inside while the compressor hums often means a failed evaporator fan.

6. 6

   Clean the coils

   Unplug it, then vacuum the dusty coils at the back or behind the kick plate. Blocked coils cause poor cooling.

7. 7

   Check the door seal

   Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal is leaking warm air in.

FIX vetted guide