If your refrigerator is not cooling, it can be a major inconvenience and potentially even a health hazard if your perishable food spoils. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem and potentially fix it yourself.
Why won’t my refrigerator cool at all?
There are several possible reasons why your refrigerator may not be cooling. Some common issues include a malfunctioning thermostat, a faulty compressor, or a problem with the condenser fan. Other potential causes include a malfunctioning electronic control board, a faulty temperature control board, or a problem with the compressor start relay.
Symptoms common to all refrigerators
There are several symptoms that are common to all refrigerators when they are not cooling properly. These include:
- The refrigerator is not cold enough, or the temperature inside the fridge is warmer than usual.
- The freezer is not cold enough, or the temperature inside the freezer is warmer than usual.
- The refrigerator is making unusual noises, such as knocking or buzzing sounds.
- The refrigerator is leaking water or ice.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem.
Replace the refrigerator thermistor
The thermistor is a sensor that measures the temperature inside your refrigerator. If the thermistor is malfunctioning, it can cause the refrigerator to stop cooling or to cool improperly. To test the thermistor, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the thermistor. It is usually located near the back of the fridge, behind the control panel.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the thermistor.
- Set the multimeter to the resistance setting and touch the probes to the thermistor terminals.
- Check the reading on the multimeter. It should be within a certain range, depending on the temperature inside the fridge. If the reading is outside of this range, the thermistor is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator condenser fan
The condenser fan is responsible for circulating air over the condenser coils to dissipate heat. If the condenser fan is not working properly, the fridge will not cool properly. To test the condenser fan, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the condenser fan. It is usually located near the back of the fridge, behind the control panel.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the fan.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity setting and touch the probes to the fan terminals.
- If the multimeter beeps, the fan is functioning properly. If it does not beep, the fan is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator electronic control board
To replace the refrigerator electronic control board, you will need to purchase a new control board and follow these steps:
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the control board.
- Carefully unplug the connectors from the old control board and remove any screws or mounting hardware that holds it in place.
- Install the new control board in the same location, making sure to secure it with the screws or mounting hardware.
- Plug the connectors back into the new control board.
- Replace the control panel and reconnect the fridge to the power source.
It is important to follow these steps carefully and to make sure that the new control board is compatible with your fridge. If you are unsure about how to replace the control board, it is recommended to contact a professional appliance repair service for assistance.
Replace the refrigerator compressor start relay
The compressor start relay is a small device that helps the compressor start and run properly. If the start relay is malfunctioning, it can cause the fridge to stop cooling or to cool improperly. To test the start relay, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the start relay. It is usually located near the compressor, either on the back of the fridge or inside the control panel.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the start relay.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity setting and touch the probes to the start relay terminals.
- If the multimeter beeps, the start relay is functioning properly. If it does not beep, the start relay is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator temperature control board
The temperature control board is responsible for regulating the temperature inside the fridge. If the control board is malfunctioning, it can cause the fridge to stop cooling or to cool improperly. To test the control board, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the control board. It is usually located behind the control panel or inside the fridge near the back.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the board.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity setting and touch the probes to the board terminals.
- If the multimeter beeps, the board is functioning properly. If it does not beep, the board is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator temperature control thermostat
The temperature control thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature inside the fridge. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it can cause the fridge to stop cooling or to cool improperly. To test the thermostat, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the thermostat. It is usually located behind the control panel or inside the fridge near the back.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the thermostat.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity setting and touch the probes to the thermostat terminals.
- If the multimeter beeps, the thermostat is functioning properly. If it does not beep, the thermostat is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator defrost timer
The defrost timer is responsible for regulating the defrost cycle of the fridge. If the defrost timer is malfunctioning, it can cause the fridge to stop cooling or to cool improperly. To test the defrost timer, you will need a multimeter. Follow these steps:
- Locate the defrost timer. It is usually located behind the control panel or inside the fridge near the back.
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the control panel to access the defrost timer.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity setting and touch the probes to the defrost timer terminals.
- If the multimeter beeps, the defrost timer is functioning properly. If it does not beep, the defrost timer is likely malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.
Replace the refrigerator compressor
To replace the refrigerator compressor, you will need to purchase a new compressor and follow these steps:
- Disconnect the fridge from the power source and remove the back panel to access the compressor.
- Carefully unplug the connectors from the old compressor and remove any screws or mounting hardware that holds it in place.
- Install the new compressor in the same location, making sure to secure it with the screws or mounting hardware.
- Plug the connectors back into the new compressor.
- Replace the back panel and reconnect the fridge to the power source.
It is important to follow these steps carefully and to make sure that the new compressor is compatible with your fridge. The compressor is a complex and essential component of the fridge, and replacing it can be a challenging task. If you are unsure about how to replace the compressor, it is recommended to contact a professional appliance repair service for assistance.
Conclusion
If your refrigerator is not cooling, there are several potential causes and steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem. These include replacing the thermistor, the condenser fan, the electronic control board, the compressor start relay, the temperature control board, the temperature control thermostat, the defrost timer, and the compressor. By following these steps and replacing any faulty components, you may be able to fix your fridge and get it cooling properly again. However, if you are unsure about how to troubleshoot or repair your fridge, it is recommended to contact a professional appliance repair service for assistance.
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