If you've ever had the experience of opening your fridge door only to find that your food hasn't been chilled properly, you know how frustrating it can be. It's even more confusing when you hear the fridge running, but it's not cooling. So you might have wondered what's responsible for this strange behaviour.
Dirty Coils
If the coils behind or underneath your fridge are clogged with dust, dirt or food particles, the fridge might run continuously but still not be able to cool. Dirty coils can significantly reduce the efficiency of the compressor, leading to poor cooling performance. You can clean the coils by unplugging the fridge, removing the grille, and using a vacuum or a brush to clean the coils.
Thermostat Fault
The thermostat regulates the temperature inside your fridge. If it's damaged or malfunctioning, it might cause the fridge to run constantly without cooling. To check if the thermostat is the culprit, set it to the lowest setting and listen for a clicking sound. If you can hear the sound, the thermostat is probably okay. If not, it's time to replace it.
A Broken Door Seal
The door seal, also known as the gasket, is responsible for creating an airtight seal around the fridge door to keep the cold air inside. If it's cracked, torn or worn out, it may cause the fridge to run constantly, trying to compensate for the loss of cold air. You can check the door seal by running your hand over the edge of the door. If you feel any drafts or cold spots, it's time to replace the gasket.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant cools the air inside your fridge. If the lines are leaking or the fridge wasn't filled with sufficient refrigerant at the time of manufacturing, it might run continuously without cooling. In this case, you'll need to call a professional technician to locate the leak and refill the refrigerant to fix the problem.
Dirty Condenser Fan
The condenser fan is responsible for dissipating heat from the fridge's compressor. If it's clogged with dust or debris, it can cause the compressor to overheat and shut down, leading to poor cooling performance. To clean the condenser fan, unplug the fridge, locate the fan at the back of the fridge and use a brush or a vacuum to remove any dirt or debris.
What to Do Next
If you've checked some or all of these components and still cannot get to the bottom of the issue, your frustration may have reached a fever pitch. However, help is at hand if you call out an experienced contractor. They'll be delighted to take a look at the machine and restore normal working order as soon as possible.
Contact a professional to learn more about refrigeration repair.
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