Fridge or Refrigerator not cooling: the Most common Reasons behind refrigerators not cooling properly in all seasons

It can be so frustrating to have a Refrigerator that doesn’t serve its purpose fully, especially on a hot summer afternoon when you are ready and fully prepared to enjoy a cold glass of juice and find that your fridge is not cooling properly or not cooling at all. There are very possible reasons behind the whole saga of why your refrigerator is not cooling properly or not cooling at all. Read below the highlighted reasons behind the refrigerator not cooling, and maybe you will be able to understand and find a solution to why your refrigerator is not cooling properly.

Fridge not cooling Reasons

• Frosted evaporator coil

Fridge not cooling: The refrigerator has some evaporator coils and a circulating fan that is placed in the freezer zone of the refrigerator. Excessive frost that develops in the evaporating coils can be a major cause of the fridge not cooling properly. The accumulated frost usually accumulates slowly around the fan and the evaporator coils. The frost leads to the separation of the coils and the fan, thus making the circulating fan unable to draw in the air over the frosted coils.  However, if there is some cooling taking place, then it’s very minimal, with no airflow over the coils. The frost should not be left there, however, the frost should be dealt with by manual defrosting or automatic defrosting in frost-free refrigerators. This will enable proper cooling inside the refrigerator.

• Faulty evaporator fan

The fan normally helps circulate the cool air from the freezer to other parts inside the freezer. If the fan stops working, it stops circulating the cool air that circulates inside the food section. This leaves the freezer cold, but the food section is not cooling.

• Spoilt defrost system

Every refrigerator has a free defrost system, and the defrost system helps to control the cooling and defrost cycles. The defrost system is usually controlled by a defrost timer and a defrost heater.

A defrost timer operates by switching the fridge between cooling and defrost modes. In case a defrost timer goes bad and happens to stop at cooling mode, it will automatically lead to the building up of excessive frost, thus reducing the airflow.

• The faulty compressor of the fridge

The compressor is a very important and vital part of the refrigerator. It is the heart of the refrigeration cycle. When it has a problem and fails to work well, then it automatically affects the entire cooling process and it doesn’t even start. The compressor helps to compress the refrigerant from a low cooling pressure vapour and leads it to high pressures hot vapours. The compressed refrigerant in the hot vapour streams through the condenser whereby at this point it gets condensed into a high-pressure liquid. Then, the liquid is used to cool down a low-pressure vapour as it streams through the evaporator coils. The air that streams through the cooling coils helps to keep the fridge cool. This automatically means, that if in any case, the compressor goes out of order, the whole refrigeration cycle does not even start.

• Insufficient refrigerant level in fridge compressor

A heart requires blood to pump to enable sufficient flow and proper circulation of the blood into a human being. Thus if the compressor is the heart of the refrigerator then it requires enough refrigerant to help the sufficient cooling process. Any refrigerant leakage or low levels will affect the cooling inside the fridge. So, such small issues can be prevented by always checking the level of your refrigerant to ensure you have enough refrigerant always.

• Dirt-insulated condenser coils

A lot of heat dissipated by the refrigerant in the condenser can cause the refrigerator to stop cooling properly. If the condenser coil is left dirty and loaded with debris, it blocks the heat from flowing out of the coils properly. The heat stays inside the fridge thus reducing the cooling process which is very dangerous.

• Defective condenser fans

The refrigerator has a fan that usually forces hot air out of the fridge. In case it goes bad or gets spoilt, the hot air will not be released into the room thus remaining inside the refrigerator. The heat left inside may cause the temperature inside the fridge to rise. A damaged fan motor or flawed fan blade will prevent the condenser fan from operating and functioning and the Refrigerator from not cooling properly.

• Faulty start relay

This is a small device that is placed near the compressor. Its major function is to help the compressor to start up. In case this relay is out of order, then automatically the compressor will not start and that goes without saying the cooling process in the fridge will not begin.

• Defective start capacitor

The start capacitor is a device that gives and boosts the compressor to start up. In case the capacitor gets burned off or rather is out of order, possibilities are the compressor might not start up and the refrigeration cycle or process will not commence causing the refrigeration cycle not to begin and hindering the refrigeration cooling process.

• Faulty thermistor

This is a sensor that usually controls the air temperature inside the refrigerator. it also controls when to start and begin the cooling cycle of the refrigerator. When the thermistor runs bad or faulty, then their fridge fails to cool at all or cools continuously.

The refrigerator not cooling is not a new thing. It’s a widespread problem that can be handled by professional personnel dealing with fridge repairs. It requires quick and immediate attention once a problem is detected. Always seek a competent person to help you examine and diagnose the issues and the key causes of your refrigerator not cooling properly.

Reasons behind Fridge or Refrigerator Ice Build Up

This is one of the most annoying and tiring things when you open your refrigerator and it looks like ice land. It is completely frozen and you can’t even notice the compartments. The whole ice thing makes the refrigerator too cold and one starts wondering if still safe for your food. The Real Reasons behind the Fridge or Refrigerator Ice Build-Up Here

However, this is caused by a few tiny problems which are very much solvable at home. You don’t have to dig deep in your wallet for this. We can highlight some of the issues causing this common refrigerator problem.

Refrigerator Ice Build Up

• Door seal: yeah! “Door” is an unthinkable part of the fridge/freezer (refrigerator). What about the door? A damaged door seal causes the problem more than one can think. The outer air which gets its way through increases the ice buildup. The more the air the more ice and thus becoming unhealthy for your stuff.
• Door hinges: Door again, if the hinges are not well attached they give the extra space and allow the air to flow in. Refrigerators are well designed not to let in outside air. They work with the gases/coolants which cool the external part making the inside cool to below-normal temperature. Hope it clicks that fridge doesn’t need the outside air to freeze or be cold.
• Space: Simple and very shocking points, when you move the appliance too close to the wall the problem may occur. It doesn’t seem too logical but when the refrigerator is too close the compressor doesn’t have enough space to circulate air to the appliance. Give a bit of space and avoid technicians and unnecessary spending.
• Clogged vents: food particles and drinks plus dust are part of the issues causing refrigerators to fill up. How do I unclog this? You need to remove all the stuff and unplug the fridge. Secondly, remove all the refrigerator covers leaving the frozen drain. Use hot water to pour it into the drain ensuring it collects at the drain pan below the refrigerator.

There are common points that we can handle, and it all drops down to the air issue. If air gets into the refrigerator, excess ice will be found. Some may wonder why we don’t need this ice. Don’t we need our food and drinks cold and very cold indeed? Yes, but this doesn’t give the correct preservation and can cause food spoilage.  The fridge is OK when food is cold and at the right temperature instead of being covered and frozen by chunks of ice.

Fridge, not cooling & Ice Build Up other common causes

The above are some of the minor issues which may cause the Refrigerator Ice Build Up. We also have other common causes. Temperatures set too low will also cause ice buildup. We can set the fridge at the right temperatures according to the foodstuff inside. Let’s take a look at some quick ways we can use at home to reduce the problem of Refrigerator Ice Build Up.

• Set the right temperatures: In actual knowledge, the freezer doesn’t need low temperatures. You can check what kind of food and also the quality and set a reasonable degree. Colder levels will only encourage the ice to fill up and spoil the food.
• Fill up the freezer section: Remember the problem causing the ice buildup we talked about air. Yes, ensure you keep this compartment full to reduce space for air to settle. It will also reduce water accumulation, this water which turns to ice won’t have the chance if the refrigerator is packed.

Fridge not cooling-Wondering what will happen if I don’t have much to pack. Just fill all the bottles and milk packs with water, then set them in the refrigerator. You will have reduced space for air and also make a water cube that will cool the freezer.

• Keep the refrigerator door closed often. The fridge needs to be kept off the extra air. Pick your stuff or pack fast. Ensure there is no unnecessary door opening. Pick and pack what you need without standing and just gazing at what needs to be kept where. Air flowing in will cause more ice buildup and spoil food.
• Use of a rough sponge to rub off the ice: It is okay for individuals to use a sponge to rub off the ice. Don’t let the ice increase. You can just wipe it off. Don’t be hard on the surface. Be very careful.

• Scrap using a wooden spoon: it is the easiest way to remove it. Be careful not to damage it too. Remove it to the last but always check for more and use the sponge method.
• Rubbing using a heated cloth and alcohol: is a good idea, but it works best for smaller amounts of ice. You need to hold the cloth using tongs deep in very hot water and then pour on the alcohol. Now place the cloth on the frosted parts of the refrigerator. Watch the ice melt away and ensure it is in thin layers. It might waste a lot of water.
• Defrost the freezer: Empty the refrigerator and then unplug it from the power source. You will have to remove all the shelves and leave the chambers clear. Pick clean towers and place them in the freezer at the bottom of the freezer. This assists in holding the melted ice and opening the doors to let air circulate. In most cases, the environment will be warm enough to cause the ice to melt. After this plugin, the fridge, wipe all the water to avoid refrigerator ice buildup.
• Now check the thermostat for temperatures. Note that you should always keep the thermostat just below zero, which is -18.

How do I change the fridge thermostat?

This is one of the easiest ways where no professional is needed. Just unplug the refrigerator go direct to your thermostat and use the manual on the refrigerator. Most thermostats are found at the back but in a few, you find the device under the fridge. Remove the cover carefully using a screwdriver and there you can now pull the two wires of the thermostat.

You can now replace the panel this should be done carefully as you read the instructions. Plug in the fridge and test the new thermostat adjusting the right temperatures.  Note don’t buy just any thermostat you have to carry with you the right serial code and type of your refrigerator.

Defrost timer and biometal fuse also play role in Refrigerator Ice Build Up. so check these to handle this issue.

Reasons for water leakage from the Fridge Refrigerator at Home

Fridge not cooling – Some problems with the refrigerator are very common. Problems like water leakage from your refrigerator are obvious and they need not worry you. Mostly the water will leak from the bottom of the refrigerator or collects from the vegetable drawers. We have discussed most of the major and common causes of water leakage from the refrigerator.

• Blockage in the drainage hole

The refrigerator has a drainage hole at the rear end above the drawers. The whole thing is in the evaporation tray that is right above the compressor. Normally, when the refrigerator is operating, water goes down into the hole. In case the whole gets blocked by food particles or any other type of dirt, the water will flow back to the refrigerator instead of passing through the whole. This water will be seen as leakage. The remedy to this is to call a professional refrigerator repair technician to clean up the blocked hole. By doing this, the water will flow normally through the drain hole and there will be no water leakage.

• Broken drain pan

A fault drain pan can lead to water leakage from the refrigerator. The drain pan is located or placed below the refrigerator or just near the compressor. During the defrost cycle of the refrigerator, the refrigerator usually builds up a lot of ice and frost over the cooling coils. This ice eventually melts and flows down to the drain pan. Always the heat from the condenser evaporates the water and prevents it from flowing out of the drain pan. In case the drain pan is broken, water will eventually spill off and seem to be leakage.

• Water filter

During installation, you must ensure that every part of your refrigerator is well-fitted. This is because, if not done well, they can be a leading cause of many emerging issues. For example, if your water filter is not fitted properly, or the filter is too old, if it doesn’t fit correctly with your refrigerator model, or if you make the changes, there will be a poor connection between the filter and the water supply. To prevent refrigerator water leakage, ensure and confirm no water seeps or passes due to the holes left in the filter. It’s also very important to check the model of both the fridge and the filter for proper matching and assurance of effective compatibility.

•  Defrost drain

Among the reasons for water leakage in the refrigerator is a faulty defrost drain. When the drainage pan gets blocked by the food particles. It automatically prevents the water that is accumulated during the defrost process from passing through and draining into the pan. The undrained water will begin to build up and cause leakage from your refrigerator. The remedy to this problem is to clean and remove any particle that is causing the blockage from the drain pan.

• Water Tank Assembly

When your refrigerator leaks water, the water tank assembly may have leapt a leak. At this point, it’s good to check the water tank assembly while it’s still in the refrigerator to confirm if there is any leakage found. Remember the tank need not be under any kind of pressure. This hole might be very tinny to go unnoticed so you need to be very careful and keen. Sometimes this tank could be made of coiled tubes thus making it so difficult to find and identify the cracks. Whenever you discover any leakage, you need to replace it immediately to avoid water leakage. The plastic used to make the tanks doesn’t accept glue very well so it’s advisable to replace it with a new one.

• Water inlet valve

When your refrigerator is leaking water, the problem could be that the valve might be having a crack or a loose fitting. The water fitting is very sensitive and needs a minimum of 20psi to enable it to shut properly. In case the water inlet is not shutting off properly, and the water pressure is good you need to replace the water inlet valve.

• Water filter housing

If your refrigerator is leaking water, most probably the water filter is cracked or rather broken. Scrutinize the water filter properly and replace it immediately in case you find some cracks since this is the only remedy to this problem.

• Water filter head

At times the water filter head could be at default or cracked leading the water leakage from the refrigerator. Breaking the seal or the missing seal might be also the cause of the leakage. Confirm if the seal is there if not find a replacement immediately.

• The water filter

In most cases, the water filter might be poorly installed, check keenly the installation of the same to ensure you prevent the leakage of the water in the refrigerator.

• Ice maker

The water line connections to the ice maker can, at times, become very loose or the seals can age or become loose. Such problems may lead to water getting pooled under and around the refrigerator. Some of these ice-makers are made of plastic hoses, which may tear or crack. At times, they get kinked, creating pressure that changes into a leakage in the connection area. It’s a good idea to check the water line leading to the ice maker, usually located on the exterior of the fridge. Check for any signs of moisture if you find the supply line is the problem. You are likely to find water dripping down through that line onto the floor. The remedy is to tighten the connections or better yet, replace the water line. It will also be effective if you replace the connectors to get a restored seal.

Fridge not cooling – The refrigerator is a very delicate appliance, it requires to be handled with a lot of care and whenever you notice any abnormality you should address the matter immediately. However, due to its delicacy always use a qualified technician to address the matter to prevent more damage if you leave it to the quacks from water leakage from the refrigerator.