how do i know if my fridge is not working

What is the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working?

If Your Fridge Has Stopped and the Light is Off As obvious as this sounds, often a fridge shuts down completely because it's simply getting no power. The first thing to check is the breaker (in your home's electrical service panel) of the circuit serving the fridge.

How do you check if fridge is working or not?

0:533:14Troubleshooting a Refrigerator Not Cooling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis video will walk you through that process if there's no frost on the evaporator coils. Let'sMoreThis video will walk you through that process if there's no frost on the evaporator coils. Let's move on in some more advanced checks. Most refrigerators like this common Kenmore model have a

Why would fridge suddenly stop working?

Typical causes are: 1) the door is left open frequently, 2) the condenser coils need cleaning, 3) the door doesn't seal against the refrigerator box, 4) the cold control is set too cold, or 5) something is blocking the flow of cold air inside the fridge.Jan 26, 2021

What are the signs of a failing refrigerator?

8 Signs a Refrigerator is DyingFood is going bad too quickly. ... Condensation appears on the outside of the fridge. ... Excess frost. ... Your refrigerator is super noisy. ... Your refrigerator never makes any noise. ... The coils feel too hot. ... Cracks in the shell. ... The refrigerator is over ten years old.Dec 24, 2021

Will unplugging a fridge reset it?

Unplug your refrigerator Disconnect your fridge from its power source by removing the power cord from the wall outlet. You may hear some whooshing or knocking noises after you do so; that's normal. Make sure your fridge stays unplugged for several minutes, otherwise the reset won't work.Jun 15, 2021

Is my fridge broken or just the light?

The best way to test a fridge is still working if the light has gone out, simply turn the thermostat up the compressor will start up, some older fridges take a little time to start up however you will hear the and feel the vibration from the compressor, if the compressor does not start up call a appliance Electrician ...

Why is my fridge not cold?

Clogged coils can cause poor cooling. Check to make sure nothing is stuck in the condenser fan and that it spins freely (models with coils on the back won't have a fan). To do this, unplug the fridge and pull it out. Clean the fan blades and spin the fan by hand to see if it's stuck.Feb 10, 2022

Why is my fridge not making a noise?

The Light Is On, But It's Not Making Noise A silent fridge is never good news. It could be that the compressor is broken. You could try turning the thermostat to a really low, cold setting and if this doesn't kick the compressor into gear, it could mean it's completely dead.Aug 10, 2016

How long does a fridge last?

10 to 15 yearsHow long does a refrigerator last? The typical life expectancy of a refrigerator is 10 to 15 years, and the average fridge with a freezer on the bottom or top can reliably run for about 13 years.Feb 23, 2022

What to do if the fridge stops working?

What to Do If Your Refrigerator Stops WorkingRemove the Food and Put Into a Cooler. When your refrigerator stops working and it's not a simple fix, make sure you get the items out as soon as you can and into another place where they can remain cool. ... Call a Professional to Find Out What's Wrong. ... Choose Repair or Replace.Feb 7, 2017

What are the problems common refrigerator problems?

Common Refrigerator Problems and How to Fix ThemWater Leaking on the Floor. ... Freezer Isn't Cold Enough. ... Refrigerator is Cycling Too Often. ... Fresh Food Compartment Is Warming Up. ... Sheet of Ice on the Freezer Floor. ... Buildup of Frost in the Ice Dispenser. ... Ice Maker is Overflowing. ... Refrigerator is Freezing Food.More items...

What happens when fridge compressor goes out?

If the compressor is wearing out in your refrigerator, it will likely cycle more often, or you will notice issues like food spoilage.

Do I need to defrost my fridge if I don't see ice anywhere?

No, probably not. If your fridge is newer and there isn't ice building up, it's likely that you've got a fridge with automatic defrosting. Many of...

How do I defrost my fridge?

Just unplug it and wait. It'll melt on its own over a day or two. You can use hot water to speed up the process, but you're really just better off...

At what point should I just replace my refrigerator?

If it costs more to repair the refrigerator than it would be to just buy a new one, there's really no point to fixing the fridge. You may also want...

How to diagnose a refrigerator?

To diagnose refrigerator problems, start by making sure your refrigerator is plugged in and checking the circuit to your kitchen to make sure you haven't lost power. If everything looks good, check the temperature gauge to see if your fridge is overheating.

What happens if your refrigerator is not level?

If your refrigerator is not level, things might not seal correctly , and the defrost drain might leak. The refrigerator was designed to operate correctly when level. Unplug the refrigerator, then place a level on top of the refrigerator.

Why do you defrost the freezer?

Defrost the freezer in case there's too much ice built up and clean your condenser coils. If there is a build of debris on your condenser coils, they won't be able to efficiently dissipate heat, and the refrigerator will have to constantly cool.

Why is it important to check the temperature of a refrigerator?

It's important to check both the refrigerator and the freezer temperature settings, because the refrigerator gets its cold from the freezer. A problem with the freezer setting will affect the refrigerator as well.

Why does my refrigerator keep running?

If you live in a humid environment, just loaded the refrigerator, or recently adjusted its temperature, it might take a while for the refrigerator to cool completely. It could take 24 hours or possibly more for it to cool.

How to check if refrigerator door seal is faulty?

If the seal is faulty, your refrigerator will have to constantly cool itself. Use a piece of paper to check for breaks in the seal. Close the door on the piece of paper and pull it out.

Why is water pooling in my refrigerator?

Water pooled inside the refrigerator might be caused by a clogged drain tube. Clean out a clogged drain tube by forcing a solution of water and baking soda or bleach through the tube with a basting syringe. The refrigerator should be turned off before attempting to clean the drain pan and tube. Level the refrigerator.

The Refrigerator Is Not Cool Enough

The thermostat is designed to regulate temperature to chill food and beverages. If items don’t seem as cool as they should be, reset the refrigerator thermostat by raising it a degree. It should then turn on or restart. But if it does not, there may be a technical malfunction.

Unusually Cold Refrigerator

If food freezes inside the fridge or its compartments, the cause may be a faulty thermostat. You can use an appliance thermometer to check the thermostat, or try increasing the temperature a couple of degrees. Then wait a day to check whether the food has become unfrozen.

Refrigerator Temperature Fluctuation

The best temperature for a refrigerator is between 30°F and 40°F, but even slight fluctuations can spoil food and allow disease-causing microbes to grow. Refrigerator temperature should be at or below 40°F to keep perishable food cool and fresh, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Temperature Troubleshooting Tips

Thermostat problems aren’t always the cause of issues with your refrigerator’s temperature. These troubleshooting tips can help figure out why you have a warm refrigerator and determine what course of action to take:

Contact Wilshire Refrigeration

Wilshire Refrigeration is factory-certified to repair Sub-Zero appliances. We are open during the coronavirus pandemic to provide refrigerator service and provide any necessary repairs or maintenance.

Why is my fridge not cooling?

If there is, your fridge may not be cooling correctly. This could be due to an issue with your fridge’s mechanics, or it could be as simple as replacing the rubber seal. Over time, the seal with accumulate cracks and tears, causing cold air to seep out when the door is shut.

Why does my fridge make a loud noise?

When the temperature rises higher than the set level, your fridge’s motor and compressor should then kick on and make a slightly louder sound. However, if you notice your refrigerator is constantly kicking on and off or if the continuous humming becomes loud enough to notice, your fridge may be broken.

Why does my freezer look like Antarctica?

Does your freezer look like the surface of Antarctica? If ice is building up inside your freezer, it may be because your fridge is having a hard time controlling the temperature.

How to melt ice in a refrigerator?

You can then melt the ice by blowing on it with a hair dryer or placing a pot full of boiling water inside.

Is it normal for a refrigerator to be hot?

However, it should not feel hot. If you place your hand towards the back of your fridge and feel excessive heat, don’t hesitate to call a refrigerator repair company in Portland. Even if your fridge appears to be maintaining its temperature, a hot motor is a sign that it’s working overtime.

Why does my refrigerator not close?

Fridge Door Does Not Close or Seal. A common cause of energy inefficiency in refrigerator operation is a door that doesn’t close or seal properly. If the door doesn’t swing closed, the hinge (sometimes called a “cam”) at the bottom of the door may be worn out.

What to do if your refrigerator light doesn't work?

If the refrigerator’s light doesn’t work and its motor doesn’t run, here is the basic refrigerator troubleshooting you can do: 1 Check its electrical power. Make sure the refrigerator is plugged into a live receptacle that’s receiving power (plug in a working lamp or an outlet circuit tester).

Why does my refrigerator run constantly?

Typical causes are: 1) the door is left open frequently, 2) the condenser coils need cleaning, 3) the door doesn’t seal against the refrigerator box, 4) the cold control is set too cold, or 5) something is blocking the flow of cold air inside the fridge.

How long does it take for a refrigerator to defrost?

Normally, the defrost timer cycles the refrigerator to defrost for about 20 minutes every six to eight hours —it essentially heats up coils to melt the ice. If it isn’t working right, ice remains on the tubing and, eventually, restricts airflow through the refrigerator.

What temperature should a refrigerator be?

As a rule, refrigerators maintain 36 to 40 degrees F. in the refrigerator box and 0 to 5 degrees F. in the freezer box. If your refrigerator compartment freezes its contents, even when the cold control is set to its lowest setting, the problem is likely to be a defective refrigerator temperature sensor or cold control.

What happens if your refrigerator runs without stopping?

If your refrigerator runs without stopping, its refrigerant could be low. A refrigerator with low refrigerant cannot reach the low temperature of the cold control dial setting. You’ll need a refrigerator repair person to test and/or boost refrigerant levels.

How to tell if refrigerator is frost free?

1 Determine whether the refrigerator section is being cooled. If you see frost at the top of a frost-free refrigerator even when the cold control is set low , it means the refrigerator probably has a full charge of refrigerant but the thermostat is faulty or out of calibration.

Why does my refrigerator go bad?

This is one of the first and the most obvious signs indicating that there is something wrong with your refrigerator, which is hindering it from performing its job of keeping food cool inside, and prevent it from bacterial contamination.

Why does my refrigerator keep getting hot?

Since heat is a by-product of a compressor motor’s operation , more heat is generated as a result, raising the temperature at the back of your appliance by a considerable degree.

What happens if your refrigerator compressor is bad?

If your refrigerator compressor is bad, there is a good chance that the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment will not reach the temperature optimal for delaying the food decay process.

Why does my refrigerator make a clicking noise?

Under normal operation, the compressor will make a clicking noise whenever it turns on and that is it. The motor makes a faint humming sound which is normally indecipherable until you actually listen for it with your ear next to the appliance. But if all of a sudden you are hearing clunking, grating or any other type of weird noise emanating from your refrigerator, there is a good chance a bad compressor is to blame.

How old is a refrigerator?

Your Refrigerator Is More Than Ten Years Old. Finally, every electrical equipment comes with a rated lifespan, and for a compressor motor, that is about ten years. If your refrigerator is older than that, now is a good time to look into a new one. Depending on how intense the problem is with your compressor, it will either have to be repaired ...

Do you have to replace a refrigerator compressor?

Depending on how intense the problem is with your compressor, it will either have to be repaired or replaced. In the event that there are a lot more issues with your refrigerator than just the compressor, you will most likely have to replace the whole thing.

Does a refrigerator freezer have frost?

It makes sense for the freezer compartment in your refrigerator to have frost on the inside surface, but when the same thing starts happening in the food storage units, you might have compressor trouble on your hands.

Why is my refrigerator not working?

Faulty motor. A defective motor is a leading reason behind refrigerator not working problem. In many cases, the refrigerator unit will shut down immediately or won’t start at all if the motor is defective. Motors usually have to be replaced when they get broken. In such case, call a fridge repair professional.

Why won't my fridge turn on?

Coolant shortage. If the fridge doesn’t have enough coolant, it may not turn on or may not operate correctly. The coolant circulates through the evaporator coils and cools the air flowing over it and eventually sends cold air in the food section.

Why does my refrigerator shut down?

The compressor is a motor which compresses the refrigerant or coolant and circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator and condenser coils. Problems with your compressor may cause the fridge to shut down. Keeping compressor clean and lubricated can help to prevent refrigerator start-up problem.

What to do if your refrigerator doesn't start?

If your fridge does not start it is always recommended to check the MCB (miniature circuit breaker). Problem with MCB can be a leading cause of refrigerator breakdown. In such case call a refrigerator repair professional.

What is the back of a refrigerator?

At the back of a refrigerator there are condenser coils that convert high pressure high temperature gas into high pressure liquid. During this conversion, the condenser coils dissipate a lot of heat from the rear end. If the condenser coils are covered with dirt, heat may not dissipate properly and refrigerator may not work efficiently and may stop working completely.

What happens when a capacitor goes bad in a refrigerator?

But when the capacitor goes bad, it fails to trigger refrigeration cycle and in some case the refrigerator does not even start.

Why does my refrigerator feel hot?

The back of a refrigerator should feel warmer than the front because that’s where the motor is located, but if it feels hot to the touch, that can be a sign of malfunctioning. Several problems can cause overheating, such as a dirty condenser or issues with the coils or ventilation system.

What does it mean when your fridge is wet?

You’re seeing condensation or frost. If you notice that the inside of your refrigerator feels wet, there are droplets of condensation, or frost suddenly comes out of nowhere, this may mean your fridge’s days are numbered.

Why does my refrigerator use more energy?

If certain components of a refrigerator aren’t working properly, you can see the effects on your electric bill, according to SF Gate. If your fridge has a faulty gasket, for example, other components such as the evaporator, condenser, fans and, thermostats, must work harder and, therefore, will use more energy. One surprising culprit: sticky buildup from food. This can cause gaskets to tear prematurely, so Shimek suggests regularly cleaning them with a warm, soapy sponge.

Why does my Shimek vacuum overheat?

Several problems can cause overheating, such as a dirty condenser or issues with the coils or ventilation system . As the first line of defense, as well as for regular maintenance, Shimek suggests cleaning the coils with the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.

What temperature should my refrigerator be?

According to Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, the temperature inside your refrigerator should be between 37 and 41 degrees.

How old is a refrigerator?

Your fridge is more than 10 years old. All appliances have a finite life, even very high-end ones. If any of the problems above keep persisting, then try to remember when you bought your refrigerator or check the manufacture date. There should be a sticker somewhere inside.

How much does it cost to fix a fridge?

According to Puls’ 2019 National Appliance Repair Report, it costs an average of $242 to repair a fridge. If your fridge is on its deathbed, though, you may be paying that fee more than once.

Why is my evaporator fan stuck in the fridge?

If you can't feel any cool air flowing into the fridge, and you know the evaporator fan is working, the damper is likely stuck in the closed position. If the damper has a removable vent protecting the damper flap, remove the vent and see if you can manually move the damper.

Why is my freezer ice and frost building up?

You might think the stuck damper is causing the cooling problem, but if you have not verified that, there might be a problem with the evaporator coils instead. Check the inside of your freezer. If you see ice and frost building up on the walls, this is a sign that your self-defrost system is not working and that ice is also collecting on the surface of the evaporator coils.

Where is the damper on a refrigerator?

It is usually found in the top of the fridge or on the back panel near the top. The damper is controlled by a thermostat, which triggers it to open and close depending on the temperature of the air in the refrigerator.

Does a damper in a refrigerator cause a problem?

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. A stuck damper will cause cooling problems in your fridge. Refrigerator dampers allow cold air to flow from the freezer to the refrigerator. A stuck damper restricts that airflow, causing the air in the refrigerator to become warm — sometimes too warm to keep ...