Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?
by the Berry team · Updated
A refrigerator that is running but not cooling most often has dirty condenser coils, a failed fan, or a defrost problem that has iced over the evaporator coil, and those are usually repairable for a few hundred dollars or less. If the compressor or sealed refrigerant system has failed, especially on an older fridge, replacing the refrigerator usually makes more sense than repairing it.
Likely causes and what they cost to fix
Ordered roughly from most to least common. Freezer cold but fridge warm points to the middle rows. Both warm points to the top and bottom rows. Start with the first checks.
| Cause | How to recognize it | DIY cost | Pro cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings, blocked vents, or door not sealing | Temperature dial bumped, food packed against the vents, or a gasket that does not seal all the way around. | DIY$0, or $50-$100 for a new gasket | Pro$150-$300 to replace a gasket |
| Dirty condenser coils | Both sections run a bit warm, the fridge runs constantly, and coils at the bottom or back are covered in dust or pet hair. | DIY$0-$20 for a coil brush | Pro$100-$200 for a cleaning visit |
| Failed condenser fan | If the coils are at the bottom: no fan noise near the back bottom, and the back of the fridge feels hot. | DIY$30-$80 for the motor | Pro$150-$350 |
| Failed evaporator fan | Freezer is cold, fridge is warm, and you do not hear a fan in the freezer when the door switch is pressed. | DIY$30-$80 for the motor | Pro$150-$350 |
| Defrost system failure | Frost builds up on the freezer back wall, airflow to the fridge stops, and the fridge slowly warms. | DIY$20-$80 for a heater, thermostat, or timer | Pro$200-$450 |
| Start relay or control board | The fridge clicks every few minutes and the compressor does not stay running. | DIY$20-$60 for a relay | Pro$150-$500 |
| Compressor or refrigerant leak | Coils and fans are fine, the compressor hums or is silent, and nothing gets cold. Common on older units. | DIYNot a DIY job | Pro$500-$1,500+, often more than an older fridge is worth |
Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.
First, protect the food
Food safety guidance says the fridge should be at 40 degrees or below, and the freezer at 0 degrees. A cheap appliance thermometer, about $5-$10, tells you where you stand. If the fridge has been above 40 degrees for more than about two hours, perishable foods like meat, dairy, leftovers, and cooked dishes should be thrown out. Move what you can to a cooler with ice or a working freezer while you troubleshoot.
First checks
- Check the settings. Make sure the temperature control was not bumped, and that the fridge is not in a showroom or demo mode, which runs lights without cooling.
- Clear the vents. Inside the fridge and freezer, there are vents where cold air flows. Food packed against them blocks the airflow.
- Test the door seal. Close the door on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, the gasket is not sealing there. Clean the gasket with warm soapy water and check that the fridge is level so the doors swing shut.
- Listen. You should hear the compressor hum and at least one fan. Press the door switch with the freezer open and listen for the evaporator fan.
- Look behind and underneath. Vacuum the condenser coils, and make sure the fridge has a few inches of space at the back and top for air.
How to clean the condenser coils
Unplug the fridge. On most models the coils are behind the kick plate at the bottom front, which pops off. On some older models they are on the back. Use a long coil brush and a vacuum to pull out dust and pet hair. Doing this once or twice a year, more with pets, keeps the fridge from working overtime.
Fridge warm, freezer cold
In most refrigerators, the cold is made in the freezer, and a fan pushes some of that air into the fridge section. When the freezer stays cold and the fridge warms up, the cold air is not making it across. Usually that is the evaporator fan, a frosted-over coil from a defrost failure, or a blocked air passage.
If you see heavy frost on the back wall of the freezer, try a manual defrost: unplug the fridge, empty it, prop the doors open, and put towels down. It can take a day to fully melt. If cooling returns and then fades again over a week or two, the defrost system has a failed part that needs replacing.
Repair or replace?
Fans, defrost parts, gaskets, and relays are usually worth fixing at almost any age. A compressor or sealed system repair on a fridge more than about 10 years old often is not, since the repair can cost a large share of a new fridge and other parts are aging too. See how long appliances last and when to repair or replace.
When to call a pro
- Coils are clean, fans run, settings are right, and it still will not cool.
- The compressor clicks on and off every few minutes, or hums without running.
- Frost keeps coming back after a manual defrost.
- You smell burning, or the fridge trips a breaker or GFCI.
- Water is leaking under the fridge. See fridge water line leaks if yours has an ice maker or dispenser.
What makes it worse if you wait
- A fridge running a few degrees warm spoils food faster and can make it unsafe to eat before anything smells off.
- A fridge that runs nonstop with dirty coils wears out the compressor, the most expensive part to replace.
- Defrost failures get worse until airflow stops completely, and meltwater can leak onto the floor.
Common questions
Why is my fridge not cold but my freezer is?
Usually because cold air from the freezer is not reaching the fridge. Common causes are a failed evaporator fan, a defrost problem that has iced over the coil, or food blocking the vents between the two sections.
What temperature should a refrigerator be?
At or below 40 degrees, and many people aim for about 37 degrees. The freezer should be at 0 degrees. An inexpensive appliance thermometer is more reliable than the dial setting.
How much does it cost to fix a refrigerator that is not cooling?
Cleaning coils is free to about $20. Fan, defrost, gasket, and relay repairs typically run $150-$450 with a technician. Compressor and sealed system repairs often run $500-$1,500 or more, which is why older fridges are often replaced instead.
How long can food stay in a fridge that stopped cooling?
Food safety guidance says perishables should be discarded if they have been above 40 degrees for more than about two hours. A closed fridge usually stays cold for around four hours without power, so keep the doors shut and use a thermometer.
Not sure that's your problem? Snap a photo and Berry will tell you what it is and what it should cost.
Keep reading
- Why Is My Fridge Water Line Leaking or Not Working?How to fix a leaking refrigerator water line, slow dispenser, or ice maker with no water, what lines and valves cost, and how to prevent a hidden leak.
- How Long Do Appliances Last?How long refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, and other appliances usually last, how to find their age, and what repair and replacement cost.
- Should You Repair or Replace an Appliance?How to decide whether to repair or replace a fridge, washer, dryer, dishwasher, or range, using age, repair cost, and the 50 percent rule of thumb.
- Appliance Maintenance: What to Do, How Often, and What It CostsThe full appliances guide hub.