At a Glance:
Solution 2: Leveling Your Fridge
Solution 3: Cleaning Refrigerator Coils
Solution 4: Check for Blocked Vents
Solution 5: Check for Damaged Gaskets
Solution 6: Give Enough Clearance
Signs You Need Professional Refrigerator Repair
Refrigerator not cooling? It can be a frustrating situation, and when left unfixed, the consequences can range from having to replace your groceries to replacing your refrigerator entirely. A warm refrigerator is more common than you might think, and luckily, the problem can be solved if you know where to look. By following these seven ways to fix a refrigerator not cooling, you can save up to hundreds on replacement, repairs, and delivery fees — not to mention a headache or two.
Just in case you are ready to replace, we’ve also included a few top-rated refrigerators we recommend for their durability and reputation as reliable refrigerator brands.
Find In-Stock Refrigerator Deals
Check the Thermostat
The refrigerator goes through a lot of traffic throughout the day, and in between grabbing items and moving things around, it’s not impossible to accidentally touch the temperature controls. And any household that has children knows dials and buttons are prime targets for fiddling, so it’s not a bad idea to start your troubleshooting by checking the refrigerator thermometer if you’re asking yourself, “Why is my fridge not cooling?”
If it has been changed, reset it and check the internal conditions after a few hours. If the inside of the fridge is still warm, it will be another issue.
Level Your Refrigerator
As silly as it sounds, a commonly overlooked reason for a fridge not cooling may be that it’s not balanced. At the bottom of most fridges are a series of adjustable levels, and when these go out of balance, they can cause the doors to not close properly. When that happens, cold air can seep out, leading to temperature drops inside.
To fix this problem, place a leveler at the top of the fridge. Whichever way the bubble leans toward indicates which side is lower. To adjust the level, use a hex wrench (or an adjustable wrench) and twist the level until both sides are even.
Clean Dirty Condenser Coils
As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind, which is why many users forget to routinely clean their refrigerator coils. These are like the arteries to the fridge, and when dust accumulates on these grates, it makes it hard for a refrigerator to cool properly.
Fortunately, the fix is simple. If you have a freestanding refrigerator, carefully pull it out to access the back. Then, take the brush attachment on a vacuum and remove the dust buildup. If you have a built-in refrigerator, you can access the condenser coils located either at the top or bottom behind a grill.
The best practice is to clean your refrigerator coils every month, but at the minimum, clean them every season.
Check for Blocked Air Vents
Did you know how you organize your refrigerator also affects how it functions? That’s because there is a series of air vents located throughout the refrigerator, which, when blocked, cuts off cold air supply throughout the interior. Additionally, many modern refrigerators use sensors that determine internal temperatures. Blocking air vents can trigger these sensors to think conditions are stable, which can reduce the frequency of air circulation, resulting in a warm refrigerator.
Review for Damaged Gaskets
Small as they may be, refrigerator gaskets play a crucial role in retaining cold air inside a fridge. Unfortunately, the plastic that gaskets are made of is susceptible to damage and old age. If you have an older fridge, the gaskets may be worn or warped, which can cause cold air leakage. Replacing refrigerator gaskets isn’t the hardest repair, but it’s important to do it properly, which is why we recommend having a professional do the job.
Use Proper Clearance
It’s not just the ventilation inside of a refrigerator that matters — the exterior is important too. Each manufacturer has a different recommended clearance depending on the model, but in general, a refrigerator needs at least one inch of clearance around the entire perimeter to work properly. Otherwise, a fridge will be inefficient and will likely have problems keeping the inside at optimum temperatures.
Learn More: How To Refrigerator Repair
Signs You Need Professional Refrigerator Repair
The bad news is your refrigerator not cooling may indicate an expensive repair, in which you’ll need to decide whether it’s better to fix your appliance or replace it. These are a few of the more costly repairs associated with a fridge not getting cold if you’re still asking, “Why is my refrigerator not cooling?”
✅ Listen for unusual sounds
Every refrigerator has an evaporator fan(s) whose function is to manage temperature settings throughout the refrigerator. You can typically hear this component kick in after a fridge has been opened for an extended period. When it’s running properly, it will sound like a hum, but scraping, clanky metal, or rattling are all indications that your evaporator fan is damaged.
A refrigerator evaporator fan can be replaced without professional help, but it requires advanced knowledge of refrigerator parts, not to mention up to two days to defrost the appliance before work can be done. On average, the job will cost you between $100 and $200, which is reasonable. But keep in mind, once a part has failed, the chances of the problem reoccurring are higher than normal, meaning you can potentially pay for the job multiple times, which can cost as much as replacing your fridge.
✅ It may be the circuit board
Smart refrigerators use computer chips, which can become damaged, leading to a fridge that doesn’t cool properly. Unfortunately, this diagnosis isn’t easy to do at home. If your refrigerator still doesn’t cool after troubleshooting using the suggestions above, you’ll need to schedule a service appointment to determine whether your refrigerator is fixable or needs to be replaced.
✅ It may just be old
The average refrigerator has about 10 years of solid use, though how well you maintain it throughout its lifespan will determine how long a refrigerator lasts. With that said, an older refrigerator will have a harder time keeping items cool than a newer model, and repairing an older refrigerator might cost more in the long run if issues come up again due to the age of the appliance.
If it’s time for an upgrade, here are three top-rated refrigerators our experts recommend.
The Affordable Replacement: Whirlpool® 24.6 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator
The last thing you want is to replace your broken refrigerator with another lemon, but luckily, this Whirlpool refrigerator has over 3,300 5-star ratings from buyers. Make no mistake: this is a simple refrigerator, so if smart features and the latest technology are what you’re looking for, invest in another model. But if you’re searching for a dependable refrigeration system that “Keeps everything cold and fresh!!” this is a great way to replace your fridge that doesn’t cool without overspending. Stock up on groceries with nearly 25 cubic feet of capacity in a side-by-side design that make it easy to access items.
Whirlpool WRS325SDHZ Refrigerator Reviews
The Quick Replacement: LG 27.2 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Pittsburgh refrigerator shoppers looking to replace a fridge that doesn’t cool can enjoy this LG model as soon as tomorrow with next-day delivery. Along with over 300 5-star ratings, one reviewer states, “It does a fantastic job of keep food cold or frozen,” referring to LG’s Linear Cooling System that is powerful enough to keep settings within one degree of setpoint. Additionally, we give points to the Door Cooling+ feature that ensures items in the door are just as cool as the rest of the groceries inside. This refrigerator is also massive when it comes to capacity, with over 27 cubic feet, so it’s an ideal replacement for larger households.
LG LRSXS2706S Refrigerator Reviews
The Splurge: Samsung Bespoke 23 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator with Beverage Center™
With a 96 percent buyer recommendation, this top-rated Samsung Bespoke refrigerator offers reliable performance that buyers and experts endorse. One testament comes from this reviewer, who claims, “The Power Freeze option came in handy with our latest storm here in FL to make sure our food stayed cold in case of an outage.” Impressive to say the least, as are other features such as Twin Coolin Plus that regulates temperatures in the fridge and freezer independently, a FlexZone Drawer you can adjust for extra freezer or fridge space, and Wi-Fi compatibility.
Samsung RF23BB8600QL Refrigerator Reviews
The fact of the matter is no household can properly function without a working refrigerator. Arming yourself with some DIY knowledge is your best defense against costly repairs and new purchases, but some refrigerator problems simply aren’t worth the cost. Your next best defense is having a team of experts to answer your questions about your refrigerator not cooling. At Don’s Appliances, we specialize in appliances, so we can help answer all the questions you have about repairing or replacing your refrigerator. Stop by today or shop online to see how we can help with appliance service from our team of specialists ranked as a Top 100 Servicer or to find a new refrigerator.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Refrigerators at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop refrigerators online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help diagnose refrigerator not cooling issues and decide whether it’s time to replace — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: Common Refrigerator Issues & Repairs