12:03 PM 10 Reasons My Refrigerator Isn't Cooling | |
10 Reasons My Refrigerator Isn't Cooling If you open the refrigerator and find sour milk or warm wine, it should be obvious that your refrigerator is not cooling well enough. The problem is not just irritation and odours; it's a health problem. Listeria and other foodborne pathogens, along with mold, can thrive in refrigerators that are not cool enough. In many cases, there is no need to rush and buy a new refrigerator. While you may have to end up calling a wizard to repair some devices, other fixes are easy to perform and don't require special tools or knowledge. Listed below are ten obvious reasons why your refrigerator is not cooling and what to do about them.
Resetting the temperature control is often the first and easiest solution for a refrigerator that is not cooling enough. If you have children in your home, they are sometimes the culprit in temperature changes, especially if they are outside the refrigerator. But anything can unintentionally drop the temperature, including touching it with your hand or stuffing food into the refrigerator or freezer. Set the thermostat to the desired temperature. Be sure to check both the freezer and refrigerator as they should have separate controls. Don't expect the temperature in the box to change immediately. Instead, wait a whole day for the temperature to stabilize. 2. Condenser coils are dirty When the condenser coils on the back of the refrigerator are dirty or cobwebbed, the unit cannot cool properly. Unlock the anti-tip brackets located on the outside of the bottom front of the chassis. Carefully pull out the refrigerator and clean the coils with the vacuum cleaner's hand nozzle. Be careful not to bend or damage the coils. 3.Door gaskets are not clean Over time, flexible door seals (gaskets) can become contaminated with food or fingerprints, preventing the door from closing properly. Wipe the gaskets with a sponge and warm soapy water. Also wipe the areas of the refrigerator where the gaskets touch. Do not use abrasive cleaners, brushes, sponges, flammable liquids or window cleaning sprays. 4.Food is blocking the vents Check inside the refrigerator box for foods that may be blocking the vent. Large boxes or bags may have been accidentally placed in front of the vents to prevent cold air from entering the unit. Move these items aside or move them to another shelf. 5. The refrigerator is understaffed If you've cleaned the door gaskets and they're still loose, it's time to completely replace the gaskets. To save money, this can be a DIY project. You can find generic and branded door seals online, ranging from $35 to $100. 7. Refrigerator is not level Refrigerators need to be close to level for them to work properly. From side to side, the refrigerator should be perfectly level. However, from front to back, the refrigerator must tilt 1/4 inch backwards so that the doors can close properly. Use a bubble or laser level to check. 8. Clearances are not respected The refrigerator must have enough free space on the sides and especially at the back for air circulation and proper cooling. Tolerances vary depending on the brand of your refrigerator, so check the instructions for details. As a general rule, you will need at least 3/8" on the sides and at least 1" in the back. 9.Location affects cooling capacity If the refrigerator is placed in a warm or cold environment, such as outdoors or in a garage, the cooling capacity of the unit may be affected. Even if the refrigerator is located in a temperate room, hot appliances such as dishwashers, stoves or ovens located near the refrigerator may affect the cooling of the refrigerator. 10. Power supply is defective Make sure your refrigerator's electrical plug is firmly inserted into the outlet. Refrigerators should not be plugged into GFCI outlets as the GCFI may cut power to the refrigerator. | |
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