First, it may be helpful to learn how a refrigerator/freezer is supposed to work. There's an excellent description of normal operation on our website.

Next, take a few minutes to look at our refrigerator/freezer detailed appliance illustrations to see where certain parts are located:

side by side	freezer on top	freezer on bottom

Here are some common things to check to determine your problem:
. evaporator fan motor
. condenser fan motor
. dirty condenser
. improper installation
. thermostat
. damper control (if equipped)
. defrost system

o timer (or adaptive control board) o thermostat o heater

. freezer drain
. door seals
. age of the appliance

Evaporator fan motor - This fan motor is located in the freezer section. It circulates air through the evaporator coil and into the freezer and refrigerator compartments. If it's stuck, burned out, or worn, it may not spin fast enough to distribute cool air. You may have to remove the back wall of the freezer section to get access to the fan. You may also have to push in the fan/light switch in order to test the fan.

Condenser fan motor - This fan motor is located underneath the entire appliance, usually in the back. It blows air across the condenser coil to dissipate heat from the coil. If the fan motor is stuck or burned out, you'll have to replace it. It should run whenever the compressor runs.

Dirty condenser - The condenser coil is a black metal coil underneath the appliance. It must be kept clean to allow heat from the coil to dissipate. Use a condenser brush and a vacuum cleaner for this task. This is also a good time to clean the grill at the bottom front of the appliance.

Improper installation - Refrigerator/freezers need some clearance between them and cabinets, walls and other appliances to allow for proper cooling. Read your appliance user's guide to learn how much clearance is needed for your unit. A good rule of thumb is one inch on either side and the back and two to three inches on top.

Thermostat - This device calls for cooling. It's often replaced unnecessarily when a cooling problem is discovered. The thermostat usually reads the temperature in the refrigerator, not the freezer. Refrigerator/freezers are designed to have the proper balance in cooling capacity between the refrigerator section and freezer section. See damper control.

Damper control - This thermostatically controlled device allows more or less cold air into the refrigerator section. It's often labeled as a "freezer" temperature control. By adjusting this damper you'll increase or decrease the amount of cold air directed into the refrigerator, which helps balance the temperatures in the two compartments. If it sticks or fails to open or close, you'll have to replace it.

Defrost system - The defrost system is usually made up of three components: the defrost timer (or adaptive control board), the defrost thermostat (or bi-metal) and the defrost heater. The timer regulates when to begin a defrost cycle. The defrost heaters turn on during a defrost cycle to melt any frost or ice build up on the evaporator coils. The defrost thermostat protects the appliance by turning off the heater when a certain temperature is reached. Read more about these components in our refrigerator help section.

Freezer drain - While not as common as other problems, it's possible for a freezer drain to clog and allow water to freeze and stall the evaporator fan motor. If this happens, you'll need to clear any ice and water from the drain area and clear the clogged drain.

Door seals - If either the freezer or refrigerator door seal/gasket isn't sealing tightly, air will be allowed into the freezer. This will make the refrigerator work much harder to cool air inside the appliance and may cause too much frost and ice to build up on the evaporator, reducing the cooling ability of the appliance.

Age of the appliance - As refrigerators and freezers age, the compressor becomes less efficient at compressing refrigerant gas. This reduces the cooling potential of the appliance. This problem is more noticeable when outside temperatures rise in the summer months. When this situation occurs, it's often more economical to replace the appliance rather than replace the compressor. You'll need a professional diagnosis and assessment to make that determination.

We hope this information helps you solve your refrigerator/freezer cooling problems. More information is available on our website, and our RepairGuru offers free email diagnostic help.

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Fun facts
Freezing stops the growth of bacteria. A full upright or chest freezer will keep food frozen for up to two days during a power failure. A half-full freezer will keep the food frozen for about one day if the freezer is kept closed. Food that still contains ice crystals or feel refrigerator-cold can be re-frozen. -From Pauline Couture's Fun Facts About Ice.

Appliance maintenance calendar
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