Refrigerator Not Cooling? 6 Things to Check Before Calling for Repair

A warm refrigerator is stressful, but many causes are easy to fix yourself. Work through these checks. Meanwhile, move perishables to a cooler with ice if the fridge is above 40°F.

In this guide

1. 1. Check the settings
2. 2. Unblock the vents
3. 3. Clean the condenser coils
4. 4. Test the door seals
5. 5. Listen for the fans
6. 6. Check for frost buildup
7. When to call for service

1. Check the settings

Make sure the thermostat is set correctly, around 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer. Some models have a demo or showroom mode that turns cooling off. Check the manual for how to exit it.

2. Unblock the vents

Cold air usually flows from the freezer into the fridge through vents. Packing food against them blocks airflow. Move items away from vents on both sides.

3. Clean the condenser coils

Dusty coils can’t release heat.

1. Unplug the fridge.
2. Find the coils, either behind a kick plate at the bottom front or on the back.
3. Vacuum them with a brush attachment, or use a coil cleaning brush.
4. Plug it back in.

Do this once or twice a year, more often if you have pets.

4. Test the door seals

Close the door on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, the seal is leaking cold air. Clean the gasket with warm soapy water. If it’s torn or flattened, order a replacement by model number.

5. Listen for the fans

• Condenser fan (near the coils at the bottom back): it should spin when the compressor runs. Clear any debris.
• Evaporator fan (inside the freezer): if the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm and you don’t hear a fan, the fan may have failed or be blocked by ice.

6. Check for frost buildup

Heavy frost on the back wall of the freezer can block airflow and may point to a defrost problem. Unplug the fridge, empty it, and let it defrost fully for 24 hours with the doors open and towels down. If it cools afterward and the frost returns, the defrost system needs repair.

When to call for service

Call for service if the compressor runs constantly but nothing gets cold, it clicks on and off, or none of the above helps. It may be a sealed-system or control board problem.