Refrigerator Issues to Watch Out For

5 Common Refrigerator Issues and How to Try to Fix Them.

If you are experiencing refrigerator issues and your fridge is over a decade old, it may be time to get a new one.  If you are unable to get a new refrigerator at this time or your fridge isn’t that old, there are a few things you can do to get it working again.

Here are 5 common issues refrigerators have and what to do to try to fix them:

1. Not getting cold.

Refrigerators should keep your food between 37° and 41°. If you feel warm air coming out every time you open your fridge, try:

• Adjusting the thermostat.
• Unblocking the vents to ensure adequate airflow.
• Cleaning and vacuuming the condenser coils.

If it still feels warm, the condenser or evaporator fans may be broken which requires a professional.

2. Food is freezing.

If food is freezing in your refrigerator it would be best to check:

• That the temperature control thermostat is still directing power to the compressor and fan motors.
• The thermistor and that it is still sending the fridge temperature reading to the control board.
• The control board is still supplying voltage to the compressor and fan motors.

You may have a defective thermostat, thermistor, and/or temperature control board that may need to be inspected and fixed by a professional.

3. Frost.

If you are having frost buildup, first check for cracked gaskets. If there is no crack in your refrigerator gasket, then there could be something wrong with the defrost sensor. You will need a professional to help with repairs.

4. The ice maker isn’t working.

Most modern refrigerators have a built-in ice maker. If yours has stopped working try:

• Before you start troubleshooting, shut off the valve to the water supply.
• Look for any kinks or tears in the water supply line by pulling the fridge away from the wall.
• Ensure the water inlet valve is open.
• Check for debris in the water filter and replace it if needed.

If the water inlet is fine, then it’s most likely that the ice-making mechanisms could be malfunctioning and you will need to call in a professional.

5. Not running after moving to a new home.

If you have recently moved to a new home and the refrigerator you brought isn’t working, you need to give the lubricant several hours to settle before turning the fridge back on. When you lay a refrigerator down, the lubricant escapes from the compressor into the cooling pipes. If you run the fridge too quickly after being on its side, the compressor could be damaged and will not work. Give it a few hours and it should be good to go again. If not, then call in a professional.

At Sarah’s Appliance Repair, we are refrigerator experts. We can figure out what the problem is and repair it if we see there are a few more years left in its life expectancy. If you are having refrigerator problems, feel free to give us a call and we can be at your home in no time.