Common solutions for: Refrigerator runs constantly
- Condenser Coils are Dirty. The condenser coils are usually located under the refrigerator. ...
- Freezer Temperature is Above 10 Degrees F (-12C) If the freezer temperature is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12C), the refrigerator will not be cold enough.
- Defrost Heater Assembly. ...
- Defrost Thermostat. ...
- Door Gasket. ...
- Evaporator Fan Motor. ...
- Defrost Control Board. ...
Why is my refrigerator running but not cooling?
Why is my refrigerator running but not cooling? The most common reason why a refrigerator is not cooling is a problem with the evaporator coils. Over time, evaporator coils can become covered with ice, which prevents the coils from working properly. If the coils are covered in ice, the ice will need to be defrosted to fix the problem. Why is my ...
What to do if your refrigerator is not cooling properly?
Maytag Refrigerator Not Cooling or Freezing – Quick Fix
- Condenser Fan Motor. To check if the motor is faulty, spin the blades of the fan with your hands. ...
- Evaporator Fan Motor. Turn the blades of the fan manually. ...
- Start Relay. Test the relay between the start and run terminals to check for continuity. ...
- Start Capacitor. ...
- Condenser Coils. ...
- Thermistor. ...
- Temperature Control Thermostat. ...
Why does my refrigertor and freezer not getting cold?
Refrigerator: Why is my freezer not cold enough? Defrost system problems, dirty condenser coils, fan failures, leaky door gaskets or control problems can lead to your freezer not getting cold enough. Although you may see the cooling problem start in the freezer, you'll typically soon find the refrigerator and freezer not cool enough.
How to fix a refrigerator that is not cold enough?
How to make refrigerator colder
- Give the simple steps a once over. Please go through the simple steps we mentioned and make sure that they are appropriately corrected.
- Replacing your air damper. A faulty air damper can keep cold air from moving into your refrigerator. ...
- Tackling somewhat bigger problems. ...
How do you fix a fridge that is not cooling?
Pull the unit away from the wall and unplug it. Check the owner's manual for any “off” or “zero” settings in your fridge and freezer and set them to off or zero. Plug the unit back in and adjust the temperature controls of both to your desired setting. Give the fridge about 24 hours to cool to your set temperature.
Why is my fridge not cooling but fan is running?
If your freezer fan is still running, but your fridge is not getting cold, your compressor or the compressor start relay could be bad. Where It's Located: The compressor is located behind your fridge and at the bottom. It is a black, tank-like part.
What causes a refrigerator to not get cold enough?
Your refrigerator needs proper air circulation in order to function properly. Overloading it may block the airflow inside the cabinet. If cool air isn't getting to some parts of the refrigerator, remove some of the items inside the fridge and make sure that airflow is not restricted, especially near the vents.
How do you know if the fridge compressor is not working?
Your refrigerator compressor is responsible for that humming sound. So, if the sound stops for good, or if the sound goes from faint to a constant or very loud humming noise that does not shut off, it may be a sign the compressor is broken or malfunctioning.
Will unplugging a fridge reset it?
Yes, unplugging the refrigerator will reset the appliance, provided you leave the refrigerator unplugged and undisturbed for 45 to 50 minutes. When the refrigerator is unplugged, do not open the doors.
Can a fridge stop working but freezer still works?
Evaporator Coils One of the main reasons for fridge not cooling but freezer works is that the evaporator coils are not working in proper order. The evaporator coils are filled with frost, so air doesn't get space to pass through them to get cold. For a solution, you have to first remove the frost by blowing hot air.
Why is my fridge warm?
One of the most common causes of a warm fridge is overfilling it with food. Air can't circulate properly when you stuff your fridge to the rafters, making it hard for your system to maintain a safe food storage temperature.
How do you reset a refrigerator?
1:132:36Refrigerator Troubleshooting, Hard Reset, and Liquid ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the cause of your issue is still a mystery you'll want to try what is called a hard reset unplugMoreIf the cause of your issue is still a mystery you'll want to try what is called a hard reset unplug your unit from the wall for 30 to 45. Minutes then plug the unit back in this will reset the unit.
What is the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working?
The first thing to check is the breaker (in your home's electrical service panel) of the circuit serving the fridge. Most homes have a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the fridge alone, while older homes may have it on a general kitchen circuit.
Why is my fridge and freezer on but no cold air blowing inside?
There can be other issues why your refrigerator is not blowing cold air such as a bad compressor, bad temperature control thermostat, dirty condenser coils, or even the main control board may be defective. (There is a refrigerator troubleshooting guide here that can help you even further if needed.)
Is the fan on the refrigerator supposed to run constantly?
The condenser in a refrigerator is a motor, and like the one in your car it needs constant airflow to remain cool enough for the working parts to remain in working condition.
Should fridge fan always be running?
The evaporator fan is responsible for circulating the cold air from your coils and into the refrigerator section. Without it working, the cool air will not be efficiently blown onto your fresh food. However, your refrigerator will still try to maintain that temperature by instead just running all the time.
Frost-Free Feature Not Working
If the frost-free feature fails, it will cause a buildup of frost around the evaporator coils in the freezer. This causes a malfunctioning of the e...
Faulty Or Incorrect Temperature Control
A faulty thermostat can lead to a refrigerator that is not maintaining the desired coldness. Check for this problem and also ensure that the temper...
Inadequate Air Flow Inside Refrigerator
A refrigerator that is loaded with too many food items can fail to maintain an adequate level of coolness across all the items kept in it. The surf...
Vents Between Freezer and Refrigerator Are Clogged
The vents between the freezer and refrigerating section blow cold air from the freezer across to the refrigerator. If these vents are clogged with...
What to do if the light on my fridge doesn't come on?
If the light doesn’t come on, make sure the power cord is plugged in firmly and check again.
What to do if refrigerator fails?
While replacing some components on a refrigerator are not too difficult, pinpointing the exact cause of the problem can be tricky and requires the use of electrical testing equipment .
What to do if you don't trust the temperature reading?
If you don’t trust the temperature reading that you’re getting, or if yours is an older fridge without an internal thermostat, consider purchasing a separate, low-cost refrigerator thermostat ( view example on Amazon) for the purposes of testing. Advertisement.
How does cold air circulate in a refrigerator?
Cold air circulates back and forth through vents that run between the refrigerator’s freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. If something blocks the airflow, it can result in inconsistent temperatures in the refrigerated compartment.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
Check the refrigerator’s thermostat. New refrigerators usually come preset at a mid-range temperature, between 35 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit because that’s the optimal temperature range for a fridge in order to keep perishable foods safe.
Can a thermostat change the temperature?
Thermostat dials inside the fridge can get bumped by cartons of milk or other items, though, which can change the set temperature. Even exterior digital thermostats can also be inadvertently changed by little fingers or if someone leans against the control panel, unknowingly changing the temperature.
Can a freezer vent block a vent?
Frost buildup in the freezer can also block a vent, reducing or preventing cold air from reaching the refrigerator compartment. If the freezer compartment is heavily frosted, unplug the fridge and open the freezer door to allow the frost to melt. Once it melts, plug the fridge back in and it should cool better.
Why is my refrigerator not cooling?
If you open your refrigerator and find sour milk or warm wine it should be apparent that your fridge is not cooling well enough. The problem is more than just one of annoyance and odors; it’s a health issue. Listeria and other foodborne pathogens, along with mold, can grow in refrigerators that are not cool enough.
How to clean the coils on a refrigerator?
When the condenser coils on the back of the refrigerator are dirty or covered in spiderwebs, the unit cannot properly cool. Unlatch the anti-tip brackets located at the exterior bottom-front of the cabinet. Carefully slide the refrigerator out and clean the coils with the hand attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Be careful not to bend or otherwise damage the coils.
How to clean a refrigerator door gasket?
Over time, the flexible door seals (gaskets) can become dirty from food or fingerprints, preventing the door from sealing properly. Wipe down the gaskets with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Also wipe down the sections on the f ridge where the gaskets touch. Do not use abrasive cleaners, brushes, scouring pads, flammable fluids, or window cleaning sprays.
How far should a refrigerator tilt?
From side-to-side, the fridge should be perfectly level. From front-to-back, though, the fridge should tilt 1/4-inch toward the back to allow the doors to shut properly. Use a bubble or laser level to check. 08 of 10.
Why is mass important in a refrigerator?
Mass within the refrigerator helps to maintain coolness. And the mass that you’ll need to provide comes in the form of food items. Understocked fridges need to work harder to maintain cool temperatures. Well-stocked (but not overstocked) fridges have sufficient mass to retain those cool temperatures.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
The FDA recommends that refrigerators be at 40 F or lower and that freezers be set at 0 F or lower. Purchase a separate appliance thermometer to check temperatures rather than relying on internal gauges.
How much does it cost to replace door gaskets?
To save money, this can be a do-it-yourself project. You’ll find universal and brand-specific door gaskets online for between $35 and $100.
Why Is the Refrigerator Compressor Running But Not Cooling?
You should set the freezer to at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit. When the fridge stops cooling, it is vital to solve this problem as soon as you can.
Why do you need to clean the condenser coils in a refrigerator?
You must keep the fridge condenser clean to remove heat from the fridge. If the condenser coils are dirty , the refrigerator will not cool to the proper temperature. Dirty coils can also lead to a malfunctioning thermostat.
How to find a frosted evaporator coil?
To locate the evaporator coil, remove the cover that is inside of your freezer. If frost is covering the coil, you will have to thaw it out.
How to cool a refrigerator after a grocery trip?
If your refrigerator is full of leftovers or after a grocery store trip, the items could be obstructing circulation. Remove any unnecessary items and organize the fridge to unblock airflow and allow the refrigerator to cool.
What is the purpose of a refrigerator compressor?
The purpose of the refrigerator compressor is to push refrigerant vapor into the coils outside of the fridge. This creates heat, which forms hot gas and later cools and absorbs the heat from the refrigerator.
What happens if the refrigerator door is closed?
Make sure that the doors and gaskets are working correctly. When the door is completely closed, the light in the refrigerator should turn off. If the light doesn’t turn off, the door may not be functioning correctly.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to thaw?
Transfer any food into another refrigerator or a cooler while you take care of this problem. Unplug the refrigerator and allow the coils to thaw for 48 hours, checking halfway through. After 48 hours , plug the refrigerator back in.
What happens if a freezer fan is frost free?
If the frost-free feature fails, it will cause a buildup of frost around the evaporator coils in the freezer. This causes a malfunctioning of the evaporator fan that blows cold air around. The fan can also be damaged if it hits the frost.
What causes a refrigerator to not work?
2. Dirty Condenser Coils. Dirty condenser coils can result in improper functioning of the fridge. These coils are located on the back or the underside. If you find this to be the cause of the problem, unplug the refrigerator before you attempt any cleaning, then pass the vacuum cleaner over the coil area.
Why does my refrigerator keep opening and closing?
Repetitive and frequent opening and closing of the refrigerator is also a possible cause because the warm air from outside replaces the cold air in the refrigerator every time you open it.
Why is my refrigerator not staying cold?
on Apr 13, 2021. A refrigerator not staying cold enough is a hassle, as you are at risk of spoiling the foods inside. Most often, this problem is caused by something easy to fix. 1. Faulty Door Gaskets. The door gaskets in a refrigerator ensure a sealed closure every time you shut the door.
What is the temperature of a refrigerator?
Normally, refrigerators are set to a temperature of about 0°C (32°F), whereas the freezer sections are around -17°C (1.4°F). 5. Inadequate Air Flow Inside Refrigerator. A refrigerator that is loaded with too many food items can fail to maintain an adequate level of coolness across all the items kept in it.
How to tell if a fan blade is damaged?
You can tell when a fan blade gets damaged by the loud no ise coming from the now unbalanced fan. 4. Faulty or Incorrect Temperature Control. A faulty thermostat can lead to a refrigerator that is not maintaining the desired coldness.
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To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
Why does my fridge make a clicking noise?
Dirty condenser coils will cause your fridge to turn on and off, which will create a loud clicking noise. To check if dirty coils are the issue, turn off the fridge, open the bottom access panel, and look at the coils.
How long to let freezer coils thaw?
The best way to defrost coils is to let them thaw for at least 24 hours. This ensures that all the frost from the frozen section is completely melted and evaporator coils are free and clear of frost.
Why is my fridge not cooling?
In this instance, the cause is a faulty evaporator fan. A stuck or broken evaporator fan usually makes a high-pitched noise, and is located by the coils. Every fridge has an evaporator fan that’s located near the ice machine coils and covered by a fan cover.
How to tell if air compressor is clicking?
In order to diagnose a clicking sound coming from your air compressor, unplug the relay from the compressor and shake it. If the relay rattles on the inside, then it needs to be replaced.
How long does it take for a refrigerator to thaw?
To thaw them, remove the freezer door from the fridge and look at the coils. If they’re covered in frost, you’ll need to wait a few days (1-2 days in most cases).
How to test if a fan is interfering with a compressor?
In order to test if the fan is interfering with the compressor, experts say to use a fan or hairdryer to blow air over the condenser in “no heat” mode. If cooling and running starts, then a faulty condenser fan caused the compressor to malfunction. The solution is to replace the faulty fan with a new one.
Why is a thermistor important?
The thermistor is important for monitoring the air temperature inside the fridge. If it’s defective, the refrigerator won’t cool properly and it might seem like a more technical problem. If you suspect a faulty thermistor, please contact a fridge repair expert as this is a difficult fix.
What is the coil on a refrigerator called?
Every refrigerator has a set of coils called an evaporator . The refrigerator may have one or more evaporator fan motor (s) depending on the model and evaporator locations. The evaporator fan motor circulates the cold air from the coils thru the compartment. If there is only one evaporator it is in the freezer side.
What happens if you don't turn on a defrost heater?
If the defrost heater doesn't turn on, the frost will build up on the coils and eventually no air will be able to travel through the coils to provide cooling . The defrost thermostat can be checked for continuity. It should have continuity when it reaches the low temperature of its operating range.
What to do if freezer temperature is too high?
If the freezer temperature is too high, ensure that the condenser coils are clear of debris and the condenser fan is working properly. In addition, check to see if frost has accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, part of the defrost system has likely failed.
Why does my refrigerator keep running?
If the refrigerator runs constantly, the main control board might be defective. A few times a day the control board is supposed to turn off the cooling system and turn on the defrost heater to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the freezer evaporator coils. If the control board is defective it could cause the system to never cycle into defrost.
How does a defrost thermostat work?
In order for this to work, the defrost thermostat has to sense that the coils are cold enough. If the coils are cold enough the defrost heater will turn on. If the thermostat is defective it may not be able to sense the temperature of the coils and then wo... n't turn on the defrost heater.
What is a dirty condenser coil?
01 - Condenser Coils are Dirty. The condenser coils are usually located under the refrigerator. They dissipate heat from the refrigerator as refrigerant passes through them. If debris accumulates on the coils, the refrigerator will have to work harder to remove the heat. If the coils are significantly dirty, the refrigerator will run constantly in ...
Why does my refrigerator not defrost?
The defrost heater assembly turns on several times throughout the day to melt away any frost that may have accumulated on the evaporator coils. If the defrost heater assembly is defective, the refrigerator will not defrost, and frost will continue to accumulate on the evaporator coils. If the evaporator coils are frosted over, the refrigerator will work harder to remove the heat. As a result, the refrigerator will run constantly in an effort to cool down. To determine if the defrost heater is de...
How to check if evaporator damper is working?
Damper control: Checking to see if there’s an issue with the damper is fairly easy — simply stick your hand in front of the vent to test it out . If you don’t feel cool air flowing into the fridge (but you know the evaporator fan is working), the damper is likely stuck or in a closed position.
What happens if a defrost thermostat fails?
Defrost system: In situations where the defrost heater burns out or the defrost thermostat fails, frost can build up on the evaporator coils. As these coils become frosted over, eventually no air will be able to pass through to provide cooling.
What is the purpose of a refrigerator fan?
A small fan and motor are mounted near the evaporator, helping draw air over the coils and circulate it to the fridge and freezer. If this fan fails, you’ll likely be stuck with a warm refrigerator.
Why is my fridge not cold?
5 Reasons Why the Fridge Is Not Cold But the Freezer Is 1 Evaporator fan: Every refrigerator contains a set of coils called an evaporator, which makes the inside of the fridge cold. A small fan and motor are mounted near the evaporator, helping draw air over the coils and circulate it to the fridge and freezer. If this fan fails, you’ll likely be stuck with a warm refrigerator. 2 Defrost system: In situations where the defrost heater burns out or the defrost thermostat fails, frost can build up on the evaporator coils. As these coils become frosted over, eventually no air will be able to pass through to provide cooling. 3 Damper control: The damper control is an automatic or manually operated door that opens and closes to allow more or less cold air into the refrigerator. If this door is stuck or broken, it won’t let in enough cold air to maintain a proper temperature. 4 Thermistor: A thermistor is essentially a temperature sensor used in refrigerators and freezers. The sensor is supposed to send the temperature reading from the fridge to the control board, but if it’s defective, it’s likely the refrigerator will not cool. 5 Temperature control board: The control board is like the ‘brains’ of the refrigerator, monitoring the temperature sensors, kick-starting the compressor and fans, and regulating the defrost cycle. A failed board will misread the temperature sensors, meaning the fridge will be unable to cool correctly.
Why is my ice cream wilting?
In the event that your ice cream is solid but your produce is wilting, you’ll likely be left wondering what’s going on (and you may also be left with a mess to clean up ). When the fridge is not cold but the freezer is , the problem is probably tied to one of your refrigerator’s mechanisms not working as designed .
What is a temperature control board?
Temperature control board: The control board is like the ‘brains’ of the refrigerator, monitoring the temperature sensors, kick-starting the compressor and fans, and regulating the defrost cycle. A failed board will misread the temperature sensors, meaning the fridge will be unable to cool correctly.
How to tell if evaporator fan motor is faulty?
Evaporator fan: To determine if your evaporator fan motor is faulty, try turning the fan blade by hand. If the blade does not turn freely or it seems unusually noisy, you’ll want to replace it. Additionally, a multimeter can be used to test the motor windings for continuity; if continuity is lacking, a replacement will also be in order.
