Common Refrigerator Problems and How to Troubleshoot on Your Own

At first glance, refrigerators are one of the most innocent appliances you can buy for your home. You buy it, place it in its spot, open it, close it, and use it for about the next five years, no big deal. You won’t be bothered much by it more than what you usually store in it. It’s all good until it starts breaking down, starts freezing too much, stops cooling, and other things—a total headache. You’ll bring it to the repairman, but you ask yourself, does it really have to cost me money and time? So, you Google your refrigerator problems, and luckily, you’ve run into this post. Apparently, you are not alone in this matter; problems with refrigerators aren’t quite rare, especially if you do not know how to use them and care for them well. But as you know, there’s a solution to every problem; so, we’ve listed four of the most common and basic refrigerator problems and asked experts how to diagnose and troubleshoot them manually.

Common Refrigerator Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: The Fridge Doesn’t Cool Anymore

One of the most common problems you may encounter with your fridge is when it suddenly stops cooling. When the refrigerator stops cooling properly, the food items will have a high risk of going bad. You would most likely think that your refrigerator has broken down, but there are definitely things that you should look into before making that conclusion:

#1 Culprit: The Power Outlet

It sounds funny, but yes, it happens. Handymen do get called only to find out that the fridge isn’t plugged correctly. It can either be completely unplugged or loosely plugged, so before anything else, make sure that your appliance is plugged properly into an outlet and is getting enough power. If the fridge light does not come on even after you’ve plugged it in, you may have a problem with the outlet. In that case, you may want to test another well-functioning electrical device in a similar outlet to see if it is working correctly. If the outlet is not working, then plug your fridge into a functioning one. Make sure that you check voltage requirements before plugging into anything.

#2 Culprit: The Thermostat Settings

If that didn’t solve your problem at all, look at the fridge thermostat and make sure that the temperature is set correctly. Usually, the thermostat is located deep inside the fridge, and for that reason, users can tamper with the temperature by mistake. Adjust your thermostat to cool, if that’s the case; however, it could also be that the fridge’s thermostat is not functioning correctly. A manual or a technician may help you fix the thermostat.

#3 Culprit: Condenser Coils and Fan Motor

The condenser coils and fan motor are important in your fridge’s mechanism. On one hand, the condenser coil, typically located underneath the refrigerator, helps in the heat dispersal as the refrigerant goes through. On the other hand, the condenser fan motor pulls the air through the condenser coils of the fridge and over the compressor. When either isn’t working properly, it hinders the fridge’s cooling ability. Condenser coils that are extremely dirty will prevent the refrigerator from maintaining a proper temperature. That is why you must always keep them clean. But when cleaning these parts of the fridge, remember to exercise caution and safety. Handling coils sloppily may end up in an accident.

Problem #2: Too Much Ice Forming in the Freezer

While an icy cold freezer is what you would normally want in a fridge, too much ice forming is actually obstructive. It can lock you out of your own freezer and can give you too much work. Ice forming in freezers is relatively normal, but if you notice that you’ve been defrosting your fridge too often, then that’s a sign that there’s something wrong with your refrigerator.

#1 Culprit: Door Seal and Gaskets

If too much ice forms in your freezer, it’s likely due to a crack or a bad seal on your refrigerator door. Cracks and poorly sealed doors allow moisture and warm air to leak through the fridge’s door gaskets. Inspect the refrigerator door gaskets for cracks, tears, and other damages that may cause leaks, and make sure that it’s fixed or replaced with something new.

#2 Culprit: The Fridge May Be Too Close to the Wall

Surprisingly, one of the things that can affect your fridge’s performance is its proximity to the wall. If it’s too close to the wall, it may not have enough air for circulation and efficient dissipation. Resolve this by simply moving the fridge farther from the wall to give it more room for breathing.

#3 Culprit: Clogged Vents and Drain

If the ice buildup is exclusive to the freezer, it’s possible that the freezer drain is clogged. In this case, you will need to do some manual unclogging. Just unplug the fridge and remove the freezer covers, then pour hot water into the drain until the clogging clears. The water should begin to drip down smoothly into the drain pan underneath the fridge.

Problem #3: Refrigerator is Too Noisy

Noisy refrigerators are one of the most annoying things that can happen in your home. The constant rumbling will surely rob you of sleep if you live in a relatively small apartment, and the recurring noise will bring you anxiety. If it’s already prodding at your peace of mind, here’s what you can do:

#1 Culprit: Fan Blade

If the fridge is making noise whenever you open its doors, you should contact a refrigerator specialist to look at it’s fan blades. It could either be the one in the evaporator or the one in the condenser. There may be something that’s stuck on your fan blades, so you may want to make sure that it’s clean and free from obstructions. Check for possible debris that may be obstructive to its movement. If either the evaporator or the condenser fan blade is found to be defective, replace it immediately with the help of a professional.

#2 Culprit: Compressor

If your fan blades are looking fine, check to see if the noise comes from the compressor. If your fridge is a little aged, the components may have already been worn out, including the compressor. In this case, contacting a specialist to check and diagnose the compressor will be your best bet.

Problem #4: Water Leaks

The last thing you want is a puddle of water in any part of your home. Aside from the additional work it requires, a puddle of water can be a cause of an unpleasant accident. So, how can you actually stop your refrigerator from contributing to such unwanted water leakage?

#1 Culprit: Frozen or Clogged Defrost Drain

The last thing you want is a puddle of water in any part of your home. Aside from the additional work it requires, a puddle of water can be a cause of an unpleasant accident in your home. So, how can you stop your refrigerator from producing such unwanted water leakage? Unplug the refrigerator and unclog the drain hole with a stiff wire. Then, remove the remaining ice from the drain hole using a syringe with warm water.

#2 Culprit: Drain Pan

The drain pan or drip pan is the part of the refrigerator that is vital in the condensation flow of your unit. It catches the condensation flowing from the defrost drain outside the fridge where it can evaporate. What happens is that if the drain pan is damaged or cracked, it will leak water onto the floor before it even evaporates. If you start seeing a water leak on your floor, check your drain pan for damages and provide necessary repairs or replacements.

#3 Culprit: Water Inlet Valve

If your fridge comes with an ice maker and water dispenser, then it must have a water inlet valve. The water inlet valve typically supplies water to your ice maker and water dispenser. If the inlet valve is cracked or loose-fitting, then it will cause water to leak out of the valve and onto your floor. Make sure that it’s secured tightly to the line of water or, if it’s severely damaged, make sure you get a replacement all at once. That sums up the four most common refrigerator problems you’ll probably experience. If you feel that the solutions mentioned above are doable, then it would be amazing to try and do it yourself. Just don’t forget to take proper and safety precautions to avoid unnecessary accidents and injuries. But of course, these tricks only apply to the problems listed above.

If you ever find yourself in a trickier situation, it may be time to talk to a customer care service or, better yet, buy a new refrigerator unit. These problems often happen because we only make appliance choices according to size, style, and price. While those things are equally important to a refrigerator, technical aspects should also factor in.

With that, Condura has a reliable after-service care team that will cater to all your technical problems. If your Condura refrigerator needs professional help, don't hesitate to book a service today.