Refrigerator Not Cooling: Causes and Solutions

It’s a feeling of pure panic—you open your fridge to grab something cold, and instead of the refreshing chill you expect, you’re greeted with warm air. Trust me, I’ve been there. You start frantically checking the settings, rearranging food, even muttering under your breath like it’ll somehow fix itself. But don’t worry—before you start looking up repair services, know that you might be able to fix this yourself. I’ve done it, and if I can, you can too!

Let me walk you through this step by step, breaking down the most common causes and the fixes I’ve used myself when my refrigerator decided to stop cooling. By the end of this, you’ll be ready to tackle the problem and (hopefully) save yourself a repair bill.

Step 1: Check the Power Supply

It might sound too simple to be the problem, but believe me when I say, sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one. The first time my fridge wasn’t cooling, I was convinced something major had gone wrong. I didn’t even think to check if the fridge was still getting power. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

• Check the outlet: Is the fridge properly plugged in? It might sound silly, but sometimes the plug can come loose or get accidentally unplugged (especially if the fridge has been moved recently).
• Test the outlet: If it’s plugged in but still not cooling, the next thing to check is the outlet itself. Try plugging in another appliance to see if the outlet is working. If it’s dead, you might have a blown fuse or tripped breaker.

Once, I found that my fridge had been plugged into a faulty surge protector. Switching it to a new outlet fixed everything. Don’t overlook the simple stuff!

Step 2: Adjust the Thermostat

Let’s talk settings. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally bumped the thermostat when moving things around in the fridge or freezer. If your fridge isn’t cooling, the thermostat could have been adjusted by mistake. Here’s what to do:

• Check the temperature settings: The ideal temperature for your fridge should be around 37°F (3°C), and your freezer should be at 0°F (-18°C). If it’s set too high, that could be why your fridge feels warm.

I remember one time, after a family gathering, my freezer was packed with leftovers, and someone had accidentally turned the fridge knob all the way down. It took me a while to figure it out, but as soon as I readjusted the settings, everything started cooling properly again.

Step 3: Ensure Airflow Inside the Fridge

This one took me a while to figure out. Your refrigerator needs proper airflow to keep everything cool. If it’s overpacked or if food is blocking the vents, the air won’t circulate, and certain areas of the fridge can end up too warm.

• Check the vents: There are vents in both the fridge and freezer sections that circulate cool air. If these are blocked by food or containers, your fridge won’t cool efficiently.
• Rearrange your food: Make sure there’s enough space for air to circulate. I’ve made this mistake more than once—especially after a big grocery trip, when I shove things in without thinking. A quick rearrangement of items can make all the difference.

Once, I found a stack of food blocking the main vent in my fridge. After moving things around, the cooling improved dramatically within a couple of hours.

Step 4: Clean the Condenser Coils

I learned this one the hard way. If your fridge isn’t cooling, dirty condenser coils might be the culprit. These coils are responsible for releasing heat from the fridge, and if they’re covered in dust and grime, the fridge has to work much harder to stay cool—sometimes it can’t keep up.

• Locate the coils: Depending on your fridge model, the coils will either be at the back of the fridge or underneath it. If they’re underneath, you might need to remove a grille to access them.
• Clean the coils: Use a vacuum or a coil cleaning brush to gently remove dust and debris. Be sure to unplug the fridge before doing this.

The first time I cleaned my coils, I was shocked at how much dust had accumulated. After cleaning them, my fridge started cooling much more efficiently. If you haven’t cleaned yours in a while, this might be the issue.

Step 5: Check the Evaporator Fan

Here’s another potential culprit that often goes unnoticed: the evaporator fan. This fan is responsible for circulating cold air throughout the fridge and freezer. If it’s not working properly, your fridge might not be able to cool effectively.

• Listen for noise: If your fridge isn’t cooling and you don’t hear the fan running when you open the fridge door, the fan might be broken or blocked.
• Inspect the fan: To check the fan, you’ll need to remove the panel at the back of the freezer compartment. Once exposed, check to see if the fan is obstructed or damaged.

I had to replace the evaporator fan in my fridge once after it completely stopped spinning. It wasn’t a hard repair, and after installing the new fan, the fridge cooled like new again.

Step 6: Defrost the Freezer

Sometimes, a build-up of frost can cause cooling issues. If your freezer is overpacked or if the defrost system isn’t working properly, frost can block the airflow between the freezer and fridge compartments, causing the fridge to warm up.

• Manually defrost the freezer: Unplug your fridge and let it sit for a few hours to melt any frost build-up. Be sure to place towels around the base of the fridge to catch any water from melting ice.

I remember one particularly bad case where my freezer was so frosted over that the door wouldn’t even close properly. After a few hours of defrosting and cleaning out the ice, my fridge finally started cooling again.

Step 7: Test the Start Relay

The start relay helps the compressor kick into gear, and if it’s faulty, your compressor might not start, which means your fridge won’t cool. Replacing the start relay is a relatively simple fix.

• Unplug the fridge: Always unplug the fridge before attempting any repairs.
• Access the relay: The start relay is usually located on the side of the compressor (you’ll find it behind the back panel of your fridge). Remove it and give it a shake—if you hear a rattling noise, it’s likely faulty and needs to be replaced.

I had to replace my start relay once after the compressor wouldn’t start. I was nervous about tackling this repair, but it was actually quite simple. The new part cost around $20, and within 30 minutes, the fridge was running perfectly.

Step 8: Call a Professional (If Needed)

At this point, if you’ve gone through all the steps and your fridge still isn’t cooling, it might be time to call in a professional. Some issues, like a failed compressor, require specialized tools and expertise to fix.

But don’t feel defeated—by going through these steps yourself, you’ve already saved a lot of time and potentially diagnosed the problem, which can make a professional repair quicker and cheaper.

Why Fixing It Yourself is Worth It

I know firsthand how intimidating it can feel when your refrigerator stops cooling. The first time it happened to me, I felt completely overwhelmed. But once I started troubleshooting, I realized that many of the causes were simple enough to fix on my own. And the satisfaction of repairing something with your own hands? That’s priceless.

By following these steps, not only can you save money, but you’ll also gain a better understanding of how your fridge works. Plus, the next time something goes wrong, you’ll have the confidence to tackle it head-on.