FixItCity.com

Appliances

Refrigerator not cooling: easy checks and food safety

A warm fridge is often caused by a bumped dial, blocked vents, a leaky door seal or dusty coils. Start with these checks, and keep an eye on your food while you work.

Updated · 6 min read

The light comes on when you open the door, but the milk feels lukewarm. A refrigerator that runs but doesn't cool is worrying, mostly because of the food inside. The good news is that many causes are simple: a setting that got bumped, food blocking the vents, a door that isn't sealing, or coils covered in dust.

The checks below take 20 to 45 minutes. After any change, the fridge needs time to catch up, so you'll recheck the next day.

Start with food safety

Put an appliance thermometer in the middle of the fridge and another in the freezer. The USDA says the refrigerator should be at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below.

The USDA also says to discard perishable food, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers, that has been above 40°F for 2 hours. Don't taste food to decide if it's safe. If the fridge is warm and you can't fix it quickly, move perishables to a cooler with ice or to a working fridge.

What you'll need

Shopping links may earn us a small commission at no cost to you. Disclosure.

Check the temperature setting

Dials and buttons get bumped by groceries, kids and cleaning. Look at both the fridge and freezer controls, since many models have one for each.

  1. Find the controls. They're usually inside along the top or on the door. Your owner's manual shows the layout for your model.
  2. Check for a showroom or demo mode. Some models have a display mode that runs the lights but turns off cooling. If your manual lists one, follow its steps to turn it off.
  3. Adjust one step at a time. Whirlpool says to move the control one step colder, wait at least 24 hours, and check again.

A brand-new refrigerator also needs about 24 hours to cool down fully.

Clear the vents and give food some room

Cold air flows from the freezer into the fridge through vents, then returns. When a big container or bag sits against a vent, parts of the fridge go warm. Whirlpool also notes that an overpacked fridge has trouble holding a steady temperature.

  1. Find the vents. Look for slots on the back or side walls of the fridge and freezer.
  2. Move items away. Leave a little space in front of every vent.
  3. Thin out a crowded shelf. Air needs room to move around food.
  4. Check the freezer. Heavy frost covering the back wall can be a sign of an airflow or defrost problem. Note it for the technician if cooling doesn't improve.

Check the door gasket

The rubber seal around each door keeps cold air in. Whirlpool says seals may not close properly if they're dirty, damaged or worn.

  1. Look closely. Run your hand and a flashlight along the seal. Look for tears, gaps, flat spots or sticky buildup.
  2. Clean it. Wipe the seal and the cabinet surface it touches with warm, soapy water. Dry it well.
  3. Make sure the door closes. Check that nothing sticks out from a shelf or bin and holds the door open a crack.

A torn gasket can be replaced. Get the exact part for your model number. Our guide on finding your appliance model number shows where to look.

Clean the condenser coils

Condenser coils release the heat pulled out of your fridge. When they're coated in dust, pet hair or grease, the fridge can't cool well. On many models, the coils sit behind a grille at the bottom front. On others, they're on the back.

  1. Unplug the refrigerator.
  2. Remove the base grille. On many Whirlpool models it's held by two Phillips screws. Some grilles snap off. Check your manual.
  3. Vacuum the coils. Use a brush attachment and a coil brush to loosen dust. Work gently so you don't bend the thin fins or tubes.
  4. Vacuum the grille and the floor area.
  5. Put the grille back and plug the fridge in.

Cleaning instructions vary by model, so follow your owner's manual if it's different.

Check the space around the fridge

A refrigerator needs some breathing room. Whirlpool's guidance for many models is about half an inch on the sides and an inch at the back, and to keep it away from ovens and heaters. Don't block the base grille. Refrigerators are made for indoor rooms, so a fridge in a very hot garage may struggle in summer.

Listen for the condenser fan

On many models, a small fan near the compressor at the bottom back keeps the coils cool. With the fridge running, you can often hear it or feel air moving out the bottom front. If the compressor is running but the fan is silent, or you hear grinding or clicking, don't try to fix it yourself. Note what you heard for the technician.

When to call a pro

Call for repair if:

  • You've done the checks above, waited 24 hours, and the fridge is still above 40°F.
  • The fridge is silent, clicks on and off, or the fan isn't running.
  • The freezer works but the fridge stays warm. This can point to a fan or defrost problem a technician should diagnose.
  • You notice heavy frost buildup on the freezer's back wall.
  • The breaker trips or you smell burning.
  • You rent. Let your landlord know, since the fridge often belongs to them.

Read how to choose an appliance repair technician, or use our fix it or call a pro quiz.

Keep it from happening again

  • Keep appliance thermometers in the fridge and freezer and glance at them weekly.
  • Clean the coils on the schedule in your manual, more often if you have pets.
  • Wipe the door seals when you clean the shelves.
  • Keep food from blocking the vents.
  • Let hot leftovers cool a bit, and avoid loading lots of warm items at once.

Common questions

What temperature should my refrigerator be?

The USDA says the refrigerator should be at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below. Use an appliance thermometer to check, since the dial numbers aren't degrees.

How long does food stay safe in a fridge that stopped cooling?

The USDA says an unopened refrigerator keeps food safely cold for about 4 hours. Throw out perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers that has been above 40°F for 2 hours.

How long after changing the setting will my fridge get colder?

Whirlpool says to wait at least 24 hours after a change before you check again, and to adjust one step at a time.

How often should I clean refrigerator coils?

It depends on your model and your home. Whirlpool suggests about every other month for some models, and more often if you have pets or a lot of dust. Check your owner's manual.

Sources

Related