Fridge Not Working but Freezer is Cold? DIY Repair Guide

Refrigerators old and new are prone to occasional malfunctions, but sometimes the problem affects only the fridge and not the freezer. Here’s what you can do if your fridge is working but your freezer isn’t.

Check the Temperature

Usually, we can get a good impression of whether or not a refrigerator is or isn’t working just from opening the door and putting a hand inside. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to have an electronic temperature reader on hand to perform spot checks around the fridge.

Food safety guidelines for Australia state that 5°C or colder is necessary for refrigerated goods, so if you’re getting readings of 5°C or above, food will begin to spoil rather quickly.

Remove and Clean Racks

Once you’ve determined that the refrigerator isn’t reaching sufficient levels of refrigeration (or isn’t working at all), start by unplugging the appliance. Safety is important, so you don’t want to risk electric shock with a running refrigerator.

Begin by disassembling all of the racks and trays within. Use this opportunity to give them a deep clean in warm, soapy water. A screwdriver may be required to remove panels. In many makes and models, the back panel is where cold air is circulated into the refrigerator, so this will need to be removed as well.

Check for Airflow Restrictions

Once the back panel has been removed, inspect the channel that connects into the refrigerator for any possible restrictions. Often what will happen is that cold air carried through may begin to form blockages of ice, which lessens the efficiency of the refrigerator and may be the cause of the problem. Wash the component inside and outside to ensure that any obstructions are removed.

Inspect the Port Between Freezer and Refrigerator

For refrigerators with a freezer on the top part (most models), removing the back panel will reveal a channel between the freezer and refrigerator. This port can also become blocked with ice. Using a screwdriver or other hard, narrow object, chisel away at the blockage and ensure that air is permitted to flow freely from freezer to refrigerator.

Start the Refrigerator Again

Once you’ve cleared any blockages preventing proper airflow within the refrigerator and between freezer and refrigerator, put all of the racks and trays back in place and plug it in again. “Did you turn it off and then on again?” may seem like a tired trope at this point, but if you’ve followed the above steps the refrigerator should be working properly again in most cases.

Results don’t come immediately, however. Wait a couple of hours before taking internal temperature readings again with a focus on the back of the refrigerator. If temperatures have dropped to below 5°C, call it a success. Otherwise, there may be other underlying issues that will likely require the assistance of a qualified domestic appliance repairman.

Domestic Appliance Repair

Malfunctioning refrigerators are unfortunately a very common problem faced by homeowners. Even new refrigerators (or especially, depending on make and model) are prone to malfunctions.

Instead of risking doing the job yourself, consider contacting a reputable and professional company such as Domestic Appliance Repair. Our team of qualified appliance repair people will be able to fix your refrigerator and have it in good working condition for years to come.

Brands & Suburbs We Regularly Service