Auburn GA Appliance Maintenance & Repair: Solving the Most Common Refrigerator Problems Posted on January 31, 2023January 27, 2023 by Harold Frost, Non-Running and No Cooling A refrigerator is an essential appliance in every household, and it is crucial that it functions properly to keep food fresh and safe. But, as with any machine, refrigerators may experience problems, and they can be frustrating to deal with, hence the need for regular appliance maintenance and repairs. Two of the most common issues that homeowners face are frost building up in the freezer, the refrigerator not running, and the refrigerator not cooling. In this article, we will explore the causes and possible solutions for these problems, so you can have your refrigerator running smoothly again in no time. Why is frost building up in my refrigerator’s freezer? Frost build-up in the freezer can be a frustrating problem that can affect the performance of your refrigerator. It can cause your freezer to work harder to keep food frozen, leading to higher energy bills. It can also make it difficult to access food in the freezer, and can cause your food to spoil faster. Here are a few common causes of frost build-up in the freezer and their solutions: Damaged door seal: The door seal is responsible for keeping cold air in the freezer and preventing warm air from entering. If the door seal is damaged, it can allow warm air to enter the freezer, causing frost to build up. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the door seal. To check if the door seal is damaged, you can do the following: Close the door on a dollar bill, if you can pull out the bill easily, then the seal is damaged and needs to be replaced. Inspect the door seal for any cracks or tears. Clean the door seal with warm soapy water and make sure it is dry before replacing it. Faulty defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat: The defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat is responsible for monitoring the temperature in the freezer and triggering the defrost cycle. If the sensor or thermostat is faulty, it can prevent the defrost cycle from occurring, causing frost to build up. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the sensor or thermostat. To check if the sensor or thermostat is faulty, you can do the following: Check the temperature in the freezer, if it’s above freezing point, then the sensor or thermostat is faulty. Inspect the sensor or thermostat for any physical damage. Test the sensor or thermostat with a multimeter. Broken defrost heater: The defrost heater is responsible for melting the frost that builds up in the freezer. If the defrost heater is broken, it can prevent the frost from being melted, causing it to build up. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the defrost heater. To check if the defrost heater is broken, you can do the following: Inspect the defrost heater for any physical damage. Test the defrost heater with a multimeter. Check the continuity of the defrost heater with a multimeter. Bad defrost timer or control board: The defrost timer or control board is responsible for controlling the defrost cycle. If the defrost timer or control board is faulty, it can prevent the defrost cycle from occurring, causing frost to build up. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the timer or control board. To check if the defrost timer or control board is faulty, you can do the following: Inspect the defrost timer or control board for any physical damage. Test the defrost timer or control board with a multimeter. Check the continuity of the defrost timer or control board with a multimeter. If you’re experiencing frost build-up in your freezer, it’s important to identify the cause and take the appropriate steps to fix the problem. By troubleshooting the issue and addressing the underlying cause, you can help ensure that your refrigerator continues to perform well and keep your food fresh. It’s also a good idea to consult the manufacturer’s manual or seek help from a professional technician if you are unsure about the repair process. Why won’t my refrigerator run? There are several potential causes for a refrigerator that won’t run. One of the most common is a failure of the control board or cold control. This component is responsible for controlling the temperature inside the fridge, and a malfunction can prevent the unit from running at all. Another potential cause is a broken compressor start relay. This component is responsible for sending power to the compressor motor, and a malfunction can prevent the motor from starting. Compressor motor failure is another common problem. The compressor motor is responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the system, and a failure of this component can prevent the fridge from cooling. Lastly, defrost timer problems can also lead to a refrigerator not running. The defrost timer controls the defrost cycle, which is responsible for removing frost buildup from the freezer. A faulty timer can cause the refrigerator to stop running. In any of these cases, it’s important to have the refrigerator inspected by a qualified appliance repair technician to determine the exact cause of the problem and to repair it. In some cases, the problem may be something that can be fixed with a simple repair, while in other cases it may be necessary to replace a component. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems from developing. Why won’t my refrigerator cool at all? There are several potential causes for a refrigerator that won’t cool at all. One of the most common is blocked air vents. These vents are responsible for allowing air to circulate throughout the fridge, and if they become blocked, the fridge will not be able to cool properly. Another potential cause is compressor problems. The compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the system, and a failure of this component can prevent the fridge from cooling. The condenser or evaporator fan not working is another common problem. These fans are responsible for circulating air over the condenser coils and evaporator coils, respectively, and if they fail, the fridge will not be able to cool properly. Control system failure and sensor problems can also cause a refrigerator to not cool. The control system is responsible for regulating the temperature inside the fridge, and a failure can prevent the fridge from cooling. Sensors, such as the thermostat, are responsible for detecting the temperature inside the fridge and communicating it to the control system. If these sensors malfunction, the fridge may not be able to cool properly. In any of these cases, it’s important to have the refrigerator inspected by a qualified appliance repair technician to determine the exact cause of the problem and to repair it. In some cases, the problem may be something that can be fixed with a simple repair, while in other cases it may be necessary to replace a component. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems from developing.