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Why Is My Refrigerator Not Getting Cold? Here Are The 5 Most Common Reasons And How To Fix Them.

Chelsea Monroe is the Test Kitchen Director for Chop'n Prep magazine. With 15 years in the culinary industry, Chelsea has worked as a chef at acclaimed restaurants in New York and San Francisco. She now oversees recipe development and product testing for the magazine. Chelsea specializes in discovering the best...

What To Know

  • To clean the condenser coils, unplug the refrigerator and use a vacuum cleaner or a brush attachment to remove the dust and debris.
  • If the thermostat is faulty, it may not accurately sense the temperature, causing the refrigerator to run longer than necessary or not cool properly.
  • If the fan motor is faulty, it may not circulate the cold air properly, causing the refrigerator to run longer than necessary or not cool properly.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your fridge until something goes wrong. And when your fridge stops getting cold, it can be a real pain. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some common reasons why your fridge might not be getting cold, and we’ll give you some tips on how to fix the problem. So if your fridge is on the fritz, keep reading!

Why Refrigerator Not Getting Cold?

Refrigerator not getting cold? There can be a number of reasons for this, and it’s important to identify the root cause of the problem in order to fix it. Here are some common reasons why a refrigerator might not be cooling properly:

1. Dirty condenser coils: Condenser coils are responsible for dissipating heat from the refrigerator. If the coils are dirty, they can’t effectively dissipate heat, which can cause the refrigerator to work harder and take longer to cool. To clean the condenser coils, unplug the refrigerator and use a vacuum cleaner or a brush attachment to remove the dust and debris.

2. Faulty thermostat: The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature inside the refrigerator. If the thermostat is faulty, it may not accurately sense the temperature, causing the refrigerator to run longer than necessary or not cool properly. To check if the thermostat is faulty, unplug the refrigerator and check the thermostat for continuity using a multimeter. If there’s no continuity, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.

3. Clogged vents: Vents in the refrigerator allow cold air to circulate, so if they’re clogged, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. To check if the vents are clogged, unplug the refrigerator and check the vents for obstructions. Remove any obstructions that you find and test the refrigerator again.

4. Faulty compressor: The compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the refrigerator, so if it’s not working properly, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. To check if the compressor is faulty, unplug the refrigerator and check the compressor for continuity using a multimeter. If there’s no continuity, the compressor is faulty and should be replaced.

5. Faulty evaporator fan motor: The evaporator fan motor is responsible for circulating cold air throughout the refrigerator. If the fan motor is faulty, it may not circulate the cold air properly, causing the refrigerator to run longer than necessary or not cool properly. To check if the fan motor is faulty, unplug the refrigerator and check the fan motor for continuity using a multimeter.

What Could Be The Reasons Why A Refrigerator Is Not Cooling?

  • 1. The refrigerator may not be cooling properly due to a problem with the thermostat. If the thermostat is faulty, it may not allow the refrigerator to cool properly.
  • 2. The refrigerator may not be cooling properly due to a problem with the coolant. If the coolant is not flowing properly, the refrigerator will not be able to cool properly.
  • 3. The refrigerator may not be cooling properly due to a problem with the condenser. If the condenser is dirty, it may not be able to cool properly.
  • 4. The refrigerator may not be cooling properly due to a problem with the evaporator. If the evaporator is dirty, it may not be able to cool properly.
  • 5. The refrigerator may not be cooling properly due to a problem with the fans. If the fans are not working, the refrigerator will not be able to cool properly.

How Can I Troubleshoot A Refrigerator That Is Not Cooling?

Refrigerators are one of the most widely used appliances in every household. However, sometimes they can run into problems, such as not cooling properly. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot a refrigerator that is not cooling:

1. Check the temperature setting: Make sure that the temperature setting on the refrigerator is correct. The refrigerator should be set between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment, and 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer compartment.

2. Check the power source: Make sure that the refrigerator is plugged in and that the power cord is securely connected to the wall outlet. If the power cord is loose, try plugging it back in securely.

3. Check the condenser coils: The condenser coils are located on the back or bottom of the refrigerator. Make sure that they are clean and free of debris. If the coils are dirty, they may not be able to dissipate heat effectively, which can cause the refrigerator to work harder and not cool properly.

4. Check the evaporator fan: The evaporator fan is located in the freezer compartment. Make sure that it is clean and free of debris. If the fan is dirty, it may not be able to circulate air effectively, which can cause the freezer compartment to not cool properly.

5. Check the evaporator coils: The evaporator coils are located in the freezer compartment. Make sure that they are clean and free of debris. If the coils are dirty, they may not be able to absorb heat effectively, which can cause the freezer compartment to not cool properly.

6. Check the defrost system: The defrost system is responsible for defrosting the freezer compartment. Make sure that it is functioning properly. If the defrost system is faulty, it can cause the freezer compartment to not cool properly.

7. Check the seals: Make sure that the seals on the doors of the refrigerator are tight. If the seals are loose, air can escape from the refrigerator, which can cause the refrigerator to work harder and not cool properly.

How Can I Test The Refrigerator’s Evaporator Fan?

Testing the evaporator fan in your fridge is a relatively simple process that can be done with a few tools and a little bit of patience. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Gather your tools: You will need a multimeter, a small screwdriver, and a flashlight.

2. Locate the evaporator fan: The evaporator fan is usually located at the back of the fridge, behind the coils. You may need to remove the refrigerator’s back cover to access the fan.

3. Disconnect the fan: Disconnect the fan from the wiring harness by unplugging it.

4. Test the fan: Set the multimeter to the lowest ohms setting and touch one probe to the fan’s motor and the other to the fan’s blades. If the fan is functioning properly, the meter should read between 2 and 3 ohms. If the meter reads higher than 3 ohms, the fan may be malfunctioning.

5. Check the fan’s motor: If the fan’s motor is functioning properly, it may be a problem with the fan’s blades or wiring. To check the motor, remove the fan’s blades and touch the probes to the motor’s wires. If the motor is functioning properly, the meter should read between 2 and 3 ohms. If the motor is malfunctioning, you will need to replace it.

6. Replace the fan: If the fan is malfunctioning, you will need to replace it. To do this, remove the fan’s blades and unplug the fan from the wiring harness. Replace the fan with a new one and reconnect it to the wiring harness.

7. Test the fan again: After replacing the fan, test it again to ensure that it is functioning properly.

By following these steps, you should be able to test the evaporator fan in your fridge and determine whether it is functioning properly. If the fan is malfunctioning, you will need to replace it.

How Can I Test The Refrigerator’s Condenser Fan?

Testing a refrigerator’s condenser fan can be done using a multimeter or a multi-meter app on a smart device. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Disconnect the fridge from the power source.

2. Locate the condenser fan at the rear of the fridge. It is usually located at the bottom, near the floor.

3. Remove the fan cover to access the fan.

4. Use the multimeter or smart device to measure the voltage across the fan terminals. There should be 120V to 240V AC.

5. If the voltage reading is low or zero, the fan motor is faulty and should be replaced.

6. If the voltage reading is high, the fan motor is good, but there may be a problem with the fan blades or the fan motor capacitor.

It’s important to note that while the condenser fan is running, you should not touch any wires or components inside the fridge. Also, do not attempt to repair the fan yourself, as it requires specialized tools and knowledge. Instead, contact a professional refrigerator repair technician to handle the repair.

How Can I Test The Refrigerator’s Temperature Control Thermostat?

Testing a refrigerator’s temperature thermostat can be done in a few easy steps. First, you will need a multi-meter. Set the meter to ohms and disconnect the wire harness from the thermostat. Then, test the thermostat’s continuity by placing a probe on each terminal. If the meter reads zero, the thermostat is functioning properly.

Next, check the thermostat’s resistance by placing a probe on each terminal and touching the probes together. The meter should read infinity. If the meter reads any resistance, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.

Finally, reconnect the wire harness to the refrigerator and test the thermostat’s temperature setting by placing a thermometer in the refrigerator. The thermostat should be set to between 38 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is not within this range, adjust the thermostat accordingly.

Testing a refrigerator’s thermostat is a simple process that can ensure your refrigerator is working correctly and saving you money on your energy bills.

Recommendations

In conclusion, if your fridge is not getting cold, the problem could be with the condenser coils, the evaporator fan, the temperature control thermostat, or the defrost system. It is important to diagnose the issue and fix it as soon as possible, as your food could spoil if the fridge is not cold enough.

Chelsea Monroe

Chelsea Monroe is the Test Kitchen Director for Chop'n Prep magazine. With 15 years in the culinary industry, Chelsea has worked as a chef at acclaimed restaurants in New York and San Francisco. She now oversees recipe development and product testing for the magazine. Chelsea specializes in discovering the best tools for improving home cooking techniques. Whether it's finding the easiest way to julienne vegetables or baking artisan breads without a stand mixer, Chelsea puts appliances, gadgets and utensils to the test. When she's not obsessing over the latest innovations, Chelsea enjoys traveling, cooking for friends and family, and experimenting with seasonal, local ingredients. Her goal is helping home chefs produce restaurant-quality meals with minimum fuss using the right kitchen tools.
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