If your fridge is humming but the food is warming up, you’re probably wondering what went wrong. The good news is many cooling issues are fixable without a technician. Grab a screwdriver, unplug the unit, and follow these practical steps. You’ll save time, avoid a pricey call‑out, and still know exactly when it’s time to hand it over to the pros at Northampton Appliance Repairs.
First, understand what usually makes a fridge stop working. The most common culprits are dirty condenser coils, a blocked door seal, a faulty thermostat, a stuck evaporator fan, or a build‑up of frost in the freezer compartment. Less often, the compressor or refrigerant leak is to blame – those are the cases where you’ll need a qualified repair service.
1. Safety first. Pull the plug or turn off the breaker. Never work on a live appliance.
2. Check the power. Make sure the outlet works by testing another device. If the fridge isn’t getting power, the problem is electrical, not cooling.
3. Clean the condenser coils. Locate the coils at the back or underneath the fridge. Use a vacuum brush or a coil cleaning brush to remove dust and pet hair. Clean coils improve heat exchange and often restore cooling.
4. Inspect the door seal. Close the door on a dollar bill – if it slides out easily, the gasket is worn or dirty. Wash it with warm, soapy water and dry it. Replace it if it’s cracked; a good seal keeps cold air in.
5. Verify the thermostat setting. Make sure the dial is set to the recommended temperature (usually 3‑5°C for the fridge, -18°C for the freezer). If the thermostat feels loose or unresponsive, you may need a new one.
6. Listen for the evaporator fan. Open the freezer and listen. If you hear the fan whirring, it’s working. If not, locate the fan, remove any ice blockage, and spin it by hand. A broken fan motor requires replacement.
7. Defrost a frosted freezer. Excess frost can block airflow. Unplug the fridge, leave the doors open, and let the ice melt. Place towels to catch water, then wipe dry and restart the unit.
8. Test after each step. Plug the fridge back in and give it 30 minutes to start cooling. You should hear the compressor kick in and feel cold air at the back.
If you’ve tried these fixes and the fridge still isn’t cooling, the issue is likely with the compressor, refrigerant, or a sealed system component. Those parts need a certified technician.
When in doubt, call Northampton Appliance Repairs. Their local team can diagnose complex problems quickly, and they offer a guarantee on all repairs. It’s better to let the experts handle a sealed‑system issue than risk damaging the appliance further.
Remember, regular maintenance—cleaning coils every six months and checking door seals—keeps most fridges running smoothly. A little DIY effort now can save you a lot of hassle later.
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