Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?
My refrigerator is not cold enough

Insite to what the Cause is, "how to" Fixes, and When it's over

Refrigerators and freezers are designed to maintain a certain temperature. The FDA recommends that you keep your fridge at 40°F or lower, while the freezer should be set below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (or 32 Celsius).

Is your refrigerator not cooling or preserving your food? It might be cool but it's not cold. Our team at Stark Appliance repair can help you resolve your refrigerator cooling problem. We will walk you through the repair steps, as well as explain when you should step back and let a professional handle it.

The best place to start checking

In some cases, the refrigerator is not broken, it's just that it isn’t cool or cold enough. These “simple guidelines" can help you from an awkward conversation with a repair technician and from any unnecessary service charges.

The refrigerator was not plugged in

• You might be surprised to know how many people don't stop to think of the obvious and are quick to jump to conclusions, never stopping to check if their fridge is even plugged in. By far this is the easiest thing to confirm.
  

The thermostat has been turned down

• Another easy thing to check and rule out is your thermostat. Check that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature. For a side-by-side freezer/refrigerators unit you'll typically find this information in the back. Over-under units can have their thermostat under the fridge.

The cold air is not circulating

The door isn’t closing properly

Once you have looked through this list and if your refrigerator or freezer temperature still isn’t performing correctly, chances are you have a much more complicated issue. There are telltale signs that will indicate your warming fridge is more of an issue than perhaps having an overcrowded freezer - and our certified experts will tell you what to identify and where.

Refrigerator Problems and How to Repair Them

Refrigerator Compressor

Your refrigerator's compressor is the part that distributes refrigerant vapor into the coils you see on the outside of the fridge. The compressor acts in a manor of pushing and the pressure creates heat. This will then turn into a gas that will then cool and absorb heat from the freezer and or fridge. If the freezer fan is still operating and you notice the fridge is not getting cold, your compressor or possibly the compressor start relay could no longer be working.

Where is my refrigerator compressor?

• The compressor is located behind your fridge and at the bottom. It is a black, tank-like part. The compressor start relay is the part that feeds the cords into the compressor. You will need to pull your fridge away from the wall to access both parts. Make sure you unplug your refrigerator from its power source before you start.
  

Fixing a Refrigerator Compressor

• Replacing a refrigerator compressor start relay is easier and more affordable than buying a new compressor. That being said, trying a new relay with your compressor would at least let you know if a new compressor is necessary. Replacing a compressor means you’ll need to first remove it from what is referred to as a suction line and compressor discharge line followed by the electrical package. This means you'll need to sever the lines before loosening the bolts that hold the compressor in place.  Remember that when you're connecting your new compressor you will need to be reconnect to the suction line, discharge line, and process line. These lines have welds that secure them. Make sure to switch over the crossover line prior to evacuating your new system.

Refrigerator Condenser Coils

Where is my refrigerator condenser coil

• Condenser coils are found typically across the bottom or on the back. They connect from the compressor and the freezer.
  

How can I fix a refrigerator condenser coil

• with clogged coils, a cleaning really helps. First, unplug the refrigerator, then remove what is referred to as the "toe grill". With a coil brush, push the tool into the condenser coils and knock off the dust that has collected there. Then reconnect the refrigerator's toe grill.
  

Refrigerator Condenser Fan

Call Stark Appliance Repair Today!

Where Is my refrigerator condenser fan?

• The condenser fan is located in the bottom cabinet by the compressor and the condenser coils. It is important to note that refrigerators with condenser coils on the back will not have a fan.

How to fix my refrigerator condenser fan

• Confirm the condenser fan is working and nothing is blocking it. Dust as well as other objects can interfere with the condenser fan blades spinning. Once you know the fan is spinning okay and its ruled out as being the issue, the condenser fan motor may need to be replaced.  You can find a replacement from the manufacturer. Once you have the motor's replacement, unfasten the mounting screws that hold the fan up and remove that assembly from the motor. Now after you've taken off the mounting of the old motor, you can install the new motor.
  

Refrigerator Evaporator Fan

The evaporator fan is the part of the fridge that blows the cool air you feel when you open the door. It pulls air across the evaporator coil, cooling it, and then pushes the air through the freezer and refrigerator. If the evaporator fan does not work or kick on when the compressor does, your unit will not be able to produce cool air.

How to find the refrigerator evaporator fan

• The evaporator fan is located behind your freezer wall. Empty your freezer of everything - shelving etc., before you proceed.

How to repair my refrigerator evaporator fan

• If the fan does not seem to be working, you might need to replace the fan motor. After removing the evaporator panel in the back of the freezer, locate the fan and remove the mounting clip, fan blade, and wire harness. Install the new motor into the wire harness and put the motor into the housing. Insert the fan blades completely and reapply the mounting clip. Reattach the evaporator panel and put back the shelving.

Refrigerator Air Damper

Where is your refrigerator air damper

• The refrigerator air damper is located between the fresh food compartment and the freezer in your refrigerator. On a side-by-side refrigerator, the air damper should be located in the upper left corner of the fridge.

How to repair refrigerator air damper:

•  Removing the air damper means removing any screws holding the conduit cover or damper cover into place, you'll need to remove the covers.  Notice the thermostat sensor near the damper, remove it. If you have an Icemaker in your freezer, please remove the tray. There will be a motor, which can be unscrewed and unplugged to move the compartment out of the way. Unscrew the rear duct panel release the tabs holding the air damper in place. Remove the old one and install the new air damper, replacing all the compartments you removed in the process.

Now that you've exhausted your options

Saying Goodbye to Your Unit

It happens, refrigerators expire, so when it's past the point of no return it will actually be more cost-effective to purchase a new refrigerator instead of repairing your current one. So how can you tell when your refrigerator needs to go?

Most consumer reports advise that the age of your unit and the cost of your repair service are the best indications for when you should replace your refrigerator. Refrigerators need the first repair within:

• 7 years for bottom-freezers with additional repairs in the future
• 5 years for side-by-side fridge/freezers with additional repairs in the future
• 3 years for top-freezers with additional repairs between 3-6 years, and replacement after 7 years