April 20, 2023

Refrigerator: Why isn't my refrigerator cooling well?

If the refrigerator isn't cold enough, first check whether containers are blocking airflow at the vents; the owner's manual usually shows where the vents are. Your refrigerator also might seem warmer than usual for a day if you’ve just added a lot of food—wait 24 hours after adding lots of food to see if the refrigerator cools properly.

High temperatures are also a sign of a control system problem, a failure in the air control damper, low refrigerant charge and other malfunctions. Watch the troubleshooting videos below for more tips on resolving refrigerator cooling problems.

refrigerator

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR REFRIGERATOR PROBLEM

JC-REF-Replace-the-refrigerator-defrost-sensor

Replace the refrigerator defrost sensor

The refrigerator defrost sensor-also known as the defrost bi-metal termination thermostat-trips when it detects that the temperature of the evaporator is getting hot enough that it might overheat. When the defrost sensor trips, it shut off power to the defrost heater. If the defrost sensor trips because it's not working correctly, frost builds up on the evaporator fins, eventually making the refrigerator and freezer not cool well. You can use volt/ohm meter to check the defrost sensor for continuity. Replace the defrost sensor if it shows no continuity at around 0 degrees F.

Refrigerator defrost sensor

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-REF-replace-defrost-sensor-in-side-by-side-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace a defrost sensor in a side-by-side refrigerator

If your side-by-side refrigerator isn't as cool as it should be and frost is forming in the freezer, a failed defrost sensor could be to blame. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace the refrigerator defrost sensor, also called a defrost thermostat bi-metal.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-REF-Replace-the-diffuser-in-a-side-by-side-refrigerator

Replace the diffuser in a side-by-side refrigerator

The diffuser--or air damper--in a refrigerator controls cold-air flow from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. If the diffuser is stuck fully open, food in the refrigerator freezes. If it's stuck closed, the refrigerator becomes too warm while the freezer cools properly. Replace the damper if it's not controlling the flow of cold air from the freezer.

Diffuser in a side-by-side refrigerator

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-REF-Replace-the-diffuser-in-a-side-by-side-refrigerator
July 20, 2015

How to replace a diffuser in a side-by-side refrigerator

If your refrigerator's freezer section is the right temperature but the food in the fresh food section is freezing or not cold enough, the problem could be the diffuser. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace the refrigerator diffuser in 60 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
JC-REF-Replace-the-refrigerator-thermistor

Replace the refrigerator thermistor

If the refrigerator is not cooling enough, the thermistor might be faulty. The thermistor sends temperature information to the thermostat, so a broken thermistor will give bad information.

Refrigerator thermistor

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-REF-replace-refrigerator-thermistor-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace a refrigerator thermistor

If your refrigerator isn't keeping the temperature you set, the problem could be the thermistor, which senses the temperature. This DIY repair guide shows how to easily replace the thermistor in 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-thermistor-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the thermistor in a top-freezer refrigerator

Is your refrigerator too cold or not cold enough? The thermistor might not be reading the temperatures correctly. This DIY repair guide and video give easy-to-follow instructions on how to replace the thermistor in a top-freezer refrigerator in just 6 steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC REF Clean-the-refrigerator-condenser-coils

Clean the refrigerator condenser coils

Dust-covered refrigerator coils can prevent the refrigerator and freezer from running efficiently and cooling properly. Follow the instructions in your owner's manual for cleaning the condenser coils. Unplug the refrigerator before accessing and cleaning the coils. On most refrigerators, the coils are behind the bottom front grill. Clean the condenser coils with a coil brush.

Clean the refrigerator condenser coils

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-REF-how-to-clean-refrigerator-condenser-coils
July 20, 2015

How to clean refrigerator condenser coils

Does the ice cream in your freezer seem too soft or the beverages in your refrigerator not cold enough? It could be the condenser coils need to be cleaned. This DIY repair guide shows how to clean the refrigerator condenser coils in 4 easy steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-REF-Repair-the-refrigerator-defrost-system

Repair the refrigerator defrost system

The refrigerator automatic defrost system periodically melts frost from the evaporator to improve heat exchange. During defrosting, the compressor stops, the defrost heating element turns on, and frost melts from the evaporator fins. The condensate drips to a evaporator drip tray below the evaporator and then flows through a defrost drain tube to a drain pan next to the compressor in the machine compartment. The condensate water evaporates from the drain pan before the next defrost cycled. If the defrost process fails, diagnose and repair the problem.

Repair the refrigerator defrost system

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-REF-replace-defrost-sensor-in-side-by-side-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace a defrost sensor in a side-by-side refrigerator

If your side-by-side refrigerator isn't as cool as it should be and frost is forming in the freezer, a failed defrost sensor could be to blame. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace the refrigerator defrost sensor, also called a defrost thermostat bi-metal.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-refrigerator-defrost-control-assembly-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace a refrigerator defrost control assembly

If your Kenmore or LG refrigerator displays an Er dS error code or an Er dH error code and the freezer won't defrost, it could be the defrost control assembly failed. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace the defrost control in 8 easy-to-follow steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 120 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-defrost-bi-metal-thermostat-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the defrost bi-metal thermostat in a top-freezer refrigerator

If your refrigerator isn't cooling well and frost builds up around the evaporator, the problem could be the defrost bi-metal thermostat. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace the defrost bi-metal thermostat in about 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-defrost-thermistor-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the defrost thermistor in a top-freezer refrigerator

If your refrigerator isn't as cold as it should be, it could be a faulty defrost thermistor. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace a defrost thermistor in a top-freezer refrigerator in just 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

How to replace the electronic control board on the back of a refrigerator.
January 12, 2021

How to replace an electronic control board on the back of a refrigerator

If the control panel lights or fans in your side-by-side, top-mount or bottom-freezer refrigerator aren't coming on, it could mean the electronic control board has failed. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace a faulty refrigerator electronic control board in 7 quick steps.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-electronic-control-board-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the electronic control board inside a top-freezer refrigerator

If your refrigerator won't cool at all, the electronic control board may be faulty. This DIY repair guide and video show how to easily replace the electronic control board, and it usually takes only 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-defrost-heater-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the defrost heater in a top-freezer refrigerator

Is the freezer in your top-freezer refrigerator not as cold as it should be? The problem could be a faulty defrost heater. This DIY repair guide and video have easy-to-follow instructions on replacing the refrigerator defrost heater.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-defrost-heater-in-side-by-side-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace a defrost heater in a side-by-side refrigerator

When a side-by-side refrigerator isn't cooling well and frost builds up in the freezer, the defrost heater may be at fault. This DIY repair guide with step-by-step instructions shows how to replace a failed defrost heater in a side-by-side refrigerator.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-REF-Replace-the-refrigerator-evaporator-fan

Replace the refrigerator evaporator fan

The evaporator fan is mounted on the evaporator assembly. It moves air across the evaporator fins and through the cabinet for cooling. If the evaporator fan is defective, replace it.

Refrigerator evaporator fan

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JC-REF-Replace-the-refrigerator-evaporator-fan
July 20, 2015

How to replace an evaporator fan motor in a side-by-side refrigerator

If neither side of your side-by-side refrigerator is cold, the evaporator fan motor might not be blowing cold air. This DIY repair guide shows you how to replace the evaporator fan motor.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

RG-REF-replace-fan-motor-in-top-freezer-fridge-intro-image
July 20, 2015

How to replace the evaporator fan motor in a top-freezer refrigerator

Is your refrigerator not as cold as it should be? A failed evaporator fan motor, which blows cold air from the evaporator to the refrigerator, could be the problem. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a faulty evaporator fan motor in a top-freezer refrigerator.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-REF-Replace-the-refrigerator-defrost-timer

Replace the refrigerator defrost timer

The defrost timer is an electro-mechanical device that controls the intervals between automatic defrost cycles in the refrigerator. The defrost timer motor runs and moves the control components in the device. When the control contacts in the defrost timer advance into the defrost cycle, the compressor stops and the defrost heater turns on for a specified period of time to melt frost off of the evaporator fins. This promotes more efficient exchange of heat across the evaporator. When the specified period of defrost ends, the defrost timer contacts switch back to allow normal cooling operation in the refrigerator.

You'll need to replace the defrost timer if it doesn't advance when activated.

Faulty contacts in the timer can also cause the defrost heater to either not energize at all or constantly energize. In that instance, replace the defrost timer.

Refrigerator defrost timer

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-REF-Adjust-the-freezer-or-refrigerator-door

Adjust the freezer or refrigerator door

The refrigerator or freezer doors swing on hinges that can be damaged or bent. Over time, the doors may begin to sag, allowing warm moist air into the refrigerator or freezer door that creates excessive frost that can eventually cause the drain tube to freeze. This refrigerator repair involves adjusting or repairing the hinges so that the doors work properly and stay aligned.

Adjust the freezer or refrigerator door

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your refrigerators

Choose a symptom to see related refrigerator repairs.

Main causes: blocked vents, defrost system problems, evaporator fan failure, dirty condenser coils, bad sensors, condens…

Main causes: damaged door seal, faulty defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat, broken defrost heater, bad defrost timer o…

Main causes: jammed ice cubes, broken ice maker assembly, dirty water filter, kinked water line, bad water valve, freeze…

Main causes: control board or cold control failure, broken compressor start relay, compressor motor failure, defrost tim…

Main causes: leaky door gasket, defrost system failure, evaporator fan not running, dirty condenser coils, condenser fan…

Main causes: blocked air vents, compressor problems, condenser or evaporator fan not working, control system failure, se…

Main causes: water valve leaking, frozen or broken defrost drain tube, overflowing drain pan, cracked water system tubin…

Things to do: clean condenser coils, replace the water filter, clean the interior, adjust doors to prevent air leaks, cl…

Most common repair guides to help fix your refrigerators

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your refrigerator.

How to replace a refrigerator water valve

How to replace a refrigerator water valve

Replace the water valve that feeds water to the ice maker and water dispenser if it no longer controls the flow of water…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to clean refrigerator condenser coils

How to clean refrigerator condenser coils

Help your refrigerator run more efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils. It's easy and takes just a few minutes.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board

How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board

If the temperature in your refrigerator doesn't match the temperature you set, the problem could be the temperature cont…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your refrigerators

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your refrigerator.

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Maytag Refrigerator

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Maytag Refrigerator

No matter what style Maytag refrigerator you have, we can walk you through replacing the water filter.…

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…

How to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems

How to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems

If your refrigerator's ice maker isn't producing as much ice as it should, or water is flowing poorly from the dispenser…