Absolute Fridge Not Cooling? 8 Common Causes and What to Do
The light comes on, it may even be humming, but the milk is warm. Most of the time it isn't the expensive part. Here are the usual causes in order, what you can check in five minutes, and how to tell when it really is the compressor.
🔍 R350 call-out to inspect & diagnose⚡ Same-day call-outs · 90% of major spares carriedQuick answer
A fridge that isn't cooling most often has dirty condenser coils, a failed condenser or evaporator fan, a defrost fault that has iced up the evaporator, a faulty thermostat or temperature sensor, or a worn door seal. A failed compressor or gas leak is less common, and usually shows up as a fridge and freezer that are both warm with the compressor silent or clicking. Check the settings, the door seal and the coils at the back first. If it's still warm, the fault needs testing.
First: is the freezer still cold?
This one question points to very different faults:
- Freezer cold, fridge warm: almost always an airflow or defrost problem, not the compressor. See fridge not cooling but freezer fine.
- Both warm: look at the condenser, the fans, the start relay, the compressor or the gas.
The 8 common causes
| # | Cause | Clues |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrong setting or a door left ajar | Thermostat knocked to warm, or something stopping the door closing |
| 2 | Dirty condenser coils | Dust and fluff on the coils at the back or bottom, and the fridge feels hot on the sides |
| 3 | Condenser fan failed | No fan running near the compressor at the back, and the compressor very hot |
| 4 | Evaporator fan failed or blocked | Freezer cold but no air blowing inside, or a rattling or clicking fan |
| 5 | Defrost fault | Thick ice on the back panel inside the freezer, and water under the drawers |
| 6 | Thermostat, sensor or control board | Compressor never starts, or runs non-stop. Common after load-shedding. |
| 7 | Worn door seal | Paper slides out easily when the door is closed on it, with frost or sweating near the seal |
| 8 | Compressor, start relay or gas leak | Both compartments warm, with the compressor silent, clicking on and off, or running without cooling |
What you can check yourself
- Settings: make sure the thermostat hasn't been turned to the warmest setting or "holiday" mode.
- The door: close it on a sheet of paper in a few places. If the paper slides out easily, the seal isn't sealing.
- Breathing room: fridges squeezed into tight alcoves can't get rid of heat. Leave a gap at the back and sides.
- The coils: unplug the fridge and gently vacuum the coils at the back or underneath.
- Listen: is the compressor at the back running? Is a fan running?
How to tell if it's the compressor
Compressor faults are rarer than people think. The signs are a fridge and freezer that are both warm, with the compressor either completely silent, clicking every few minutes (often the start relay rather than the compressor itself), or running hot without cooling at all. A recent job in Midrand is a good example: a bar fridge's compressor had failed because a greasy condenser made it overheat for months. Clean coils really do matter.
Repair or replace?
Fans, sensors, thermostats, defrost parts and seals are affordable repairs on almost any fridge. A compressor replacement or major gas repair costs more. On a fridge under about ten years old it's usually still worth it, on an old budget fridge often not, and we'll tell you honestly. See repair or replace?.
We repair fridges across Gauteng: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand and Krugersdorp.
Recent job
Garage drinks fridge not getting cold
A filling-station shop's open-front drinks fridge was running, but the drinks weren't getting cold, which costs a forecourt shop sales every hour. We found the condenser fan motor had stopped. Without that fan, the condenser can't get rid of heat, so the system can't cool and the compressor runs hot. We replaced the fan motor and gave the whole unit a service, cleaning the condenser and checking that the airflow and temperatures were right. It was back to keeping drinks properly cold. Open-front display fridges work extra hard, so a regular condenser clean pays for itself.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my fridge not cooling but the light is on?
The light runs on its own circuit, so it only shows the fridge has power. The cooling fault is usually dirty coils, a fan, a defrost problem, a thermostat or sensor, or, less often, the compressor.
How do I know if my fridge compressor is broken?
Both the fridge and freezer are warm, and the compressor at the back is silent, clicks on and off every few minutes, or runs hot without cooling. A technician tests the start relay and windings to confirm.
Can I fix a fridge that isn't cooling myself?
You can check the settings, door seal and ventilation, and clean the condenser coils. Fans, sensors, defrost parts and gas need a technician.
Is it worth repairing a fridge that isn't cooling?
Usually. Most causes are affordable parts. A compressor replacement is worth it on most fridges under about ten years old.
How long can food stay in a fridge that isn't cooling?
Keep the door closed. A closed fridge stays cold for about four hours, and a full freezer for about a day. Move perishables to a cooler box if it will be longer.
Fridge still warm?
WhatsApp us the brand and model, whether the freezer is cold, and any sounds or error codes. Move the most perishable food to a cooler box in the meantime. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.
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