A refrigerator not cooling is irritating and a threat to all your stored food. For example, the milk can become sour, and your expensive wine can go warm. Your refrigerator’s fan might be running, but the interior still feels warm.
Before purchasing a new fridge, check out why your refrigerator is not cooling, but the fan is running. Sometimes, you can address the issue on your own if you are aware of the cause.
Symptoms Your Refrigerator is Not Cooling Properly
Just because you find some spoiled food, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your fridge isn’t cooling properly. However, here are some obvious signs that can tell you whether your refrigerator lacks serious cooling efficiency.
- Your fridge’s thermostat reading is higher than 40℉.
- You notice excessive ice buildup, especially around the vents.
- The freezer reading is over 0℉.
- There is more condensation than usual inside the refrigerator.
- You get a foul smell whenever you open the refrigerator.
- Indeed, fresh groceries tend to wilt quicker. Foods are spoiling before the mentioned expiration date.
Why is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?
Several reasons can be there when you try to investigate why your refrigerator not cooling. Among them, the following ones are quite common, especially when the fan is still running.
1. Incorrect Temperature Settings
Is your refrigerator’s temperature too high? Then, your refrigerator won’t experience sufficient cooling even when the fan is running. An accidental push or bump can shift the thermostat from its previously set temperature.
However, resetting the thermostat control is quite easy. Spot your fridge’s thermostat dial and set it to the desired temperature. Well, it will take a day for your refrigerator to restabilize the temperature and restore efficient cooling.
2. Over-Stuffed Refrigerator
Your fridge keeps the interior uniformly cool by circulating the cool air. Well, the airflow will be blocked if the refrigerator is stuffed with too much food and fresh produce. As a consequence, you will come across that your refrigerator is not cooling but the fan is running.
If you notice that your refrigerator is too full, then you must free up some space. Organize your food and beverages to free up vertical space. On the other hand, understocking your refrigerator can also cause cooling problems. You can stock your refrigerator up to 75% for optimal cooling.
3. Dirty Gasket
Your refrigerator keeps the cool air within itself with the help of flexible door seals or gaskets. Over time, debris and dirt from food or fingerprints can build up on the refrigerator gasket. Consequently, your refrigerator door won’t seal properly and the cool air will easily escape.
Hence, cleaning the door seal may help you restore your appliance’s cooling without a refrigerator compressor replacement. Wipe down the gaskets with a sponge and a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Make sure you avoid using abrasive brushes or cleaners, as they can damage the gasket permanently.
4. Damaged Door Seals
If you discover that your fridge door still doesn’t shut even after cleaning, then the gasket might have worn out. In this situation too, the cool air will escape your refrigerator. And you will face your refrigerator not cooling even though the fan is running.
So, inspect the door seal carefully. If you find the gasket to be damaged or worn out, a fridge rubber seal replacement will do the job. In case you are comfortable with replacing the gasket, get a brand-specific door seal.
Then, you can refer to your refrigerator’s user manual and remove the necessary screws. Thus, you can remove the old and damaged gasket. Stick to the specific instructions to install the gasket carefully. Otherwise, contact refrigerator repair services to check on the door seal and replace it if required.
5. Inconvenient Location
Why is my refrigerator not cooling? Well, the location can be blamed sometimes. Keeping your refrigerator in an enclosed space can interfere with its ability to cool. Ensure you position your refrigerator away from walls and cabinets.
Allow enough clearance for your refrigerator. In addition, you should keep your fridge away from other appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and ranges. On the other hand, you should run your kitchen fan while cooking. This will reduce the heat and your refrigerator won’t bear the consequences.
6. Dirty Condenser Coils
Your refrigerator consists of condenser coils that cool down the refrigerant fluid. Thus, your appliance stays cool. However, condenser coils can accumulate dirt and dust over time. So, they can lose their capacity to cool the refrigerant.
So, your refrigerator loses its cool. Well, you can prevent this by cleaning the condenser coils with a vacuum cleaner. Ensure you repeat the cleaning process every 6 months. On a related note, be careful about not bending the coils.
7. Blocked Vents
Your refrigerator is not cooling but the fan is running—if you still face this issue, then it’s time to check out the air vents. Most models receive their cool air from the vents connected to the freezer section. You might end up thinking that the freezer is not working, whereas the vents are blocked.
Built-up ice and food items can block the vent. As a result, freezer air won’t come out and your refrigerator will feel warmer. For a quick fix, spot the vents between your freezer and fridge. Then, move all the items that are blocking the vent. Chip the ice blocks gently to get rid of them.
8. Unlevel Refrigerator
Is your refrigerator perfectly leveled? Otherwise, your appliance’s door switch won’t work. And, your refrigerator will fail to cool down if the door switch doesn’t work properly. Hence, your fridge should be leveled for proper cooling experiences.
As a quick fix, you can use a bubble level to check your refrigerator’s positioning. You can make adjustments to level the appliance. Then, check if its door shuts properly to retain optimal cooling.
9. Refrigerant Leak
Your refrigerator is not cooling but the fan is running. If you haven’t found a reason to justify the cooling inefficiency yet, then chances are that your appliance suffers from a refrigerant leakage. Yes, a refrigerant leak can cause a loss of cooling capacity.
However, there’s not much you can do. Ensure you turn off your appliance and contact refrigerator repair services. A qualified and experienced technician must be able to identify the leak and fix it before the situation escalates. Handling refrigerants is dangerous. So, always consider expert intervention for your refrigerator not cooling because of coolant leakage.
When to Call in Professional Refrigerator Repair Services…
Do you need a refrigerator compressor replacement or a fridge rubber seal replacement? Let the professionals decide the best for your appliance and your well-being. If you still encounter refrigerator not cooling scenarios, then contact an expert.
Only experienced refrigerator repair services can tell what’s wrong with your appliance. Also, they can tell whether a repair or replacement will work in your favor.