A refrigerator that's warm but still running is one of the most common calls we get. Before you pack everything into coolers, these six checks take a few minutes — and sometimes they're the whole fix.
1. Check the temperature setting
It sounds obvious, but dials get bumped when the fridge is loaded. The fridge should sit around 37°F and the freezer at 0°F.
2. Listen for the fans
Open the freezer and listen. If you can't hear the evaporator fan running (it usually stops while the door is open — press the door switch to check), cold air isn't being pushed into the fridge. Also check the fan near the compressor at the bottom back.
3. Look for frost on the back wall
A thick layer of frost on the freezer's back panel usually means the defrost system has failed. The coils are iced over and air can't get through. That's a repair, not a setting — but it's a common and fixable one.
4. Clean the condenser coils
Dusty coils under or behind the fridge can't shed heat. Unplug it, pull off the bottom grille and vacuum them. Pets make this worse fast.
5. Check the door seals
Close the door on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, the gasket isn't sealing and warm air is leaking in. Also make sure nothing inside is keeping the door from closing.
6. Give it room
An overpacked fridge blocks the vents between the freezer and the fridge. Make sure the air vents inside aren't covered by food.
When to call
If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, you see heavy frost, the compressor is clicking on and off, or nothing above fixed it, it's time for a technician. Don't wait too long — food safety starts slipping once the fridge stays above 40°F.
Call us at (731) 326-1855 or book online. See our refrigerator repair page for what we fix.
Fridge still warm?
Call now or pick a time online — it takes about a minute.