10 Common Refrigerator Issues and How to Fix Them?

10 common refrigerator issues and how to fix them

Have you ever opened your refrigerator and found it not to be as cold as it should be, or maybe with very funny noises? That broken refrigerator can after that cause much disturbance in your daily life, besides possibly leading to food being spoiled in a big way. So, from low refrigerant to the malfunctioning thermostat, knowledge about such common fridge problems can turn out to be a real savior of your time, and money, and a headache. Look at other issues your refrigerator could develop for practical solutions to ensure that it functions correctly while keeping your food cool. It is your kitchen’s silent workhorse and needs a little attention to keep on doing what it does best.

What Is The Most Common Problem In The Refrigerator?

Leaking Water

This results from the defrost drain being blocked or a problem with the water filter. Leaking water can damage your kitchen floor and lead to mold growth. Modern appliance repair experts advise you to check the clogs in the defrost drain and also ensure you change the water filters so you do not have such an issue to begin with.

It’s Being Noisy

A noisy fridge can be very frustrating. The noise can emanate from components like the evaporator fan or the condenser fan motor. For this issue, you can service these components to work properly. If you lack the ability, consult with professional help from Refrigerator Repair Charlotte NC experts to diagnose the issue and fix it quickly.

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​​Broken Ice Maker or Water Dispenser

A modern refrigerator-freezer combo comes with the built-in convenience of a water and ice dispenser. If your machine has suddenly stopped dispensing water or making ice, start by pulling your fridge out from the wall. Inspect the water supply lines and the inlet valve on the back. If it’s not the water inlet valve, it may have a malfunctioning ice-making mechanism, which is a really common refrigerator problem.

How to Troubleshoot?

  • Make sure the water inlet valve is open.
  • Inspect the water filter and replace it if necessary.

Door Seal Issues

This is one of the most frequent faults of refrigerators: improper insulation because of worn-out or impure seals. It tends to leak out the cold air inside the refrigerator, causing the refrigerator to function at a higher level to maintain the set temperature. This increases your energy bills and also affects efficiency. From time to time, check the door seals to ensure they are properly sealed; replace them when tattered.

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Refrigerator Temperatures Not Cold Enough

A properly working refrigerator usually maintains a temperature between 37 and 41°F. It may feel not cold, in which case there could be an issue with the condenser fan or the evaporator fan. These are just a couple of the most common repair issues with modern refrigerators. If you need help with refrigerator repair in Charlotte, NC, local assistance isn’t far away from working with you to remedy all these and other common refrigerator problems.

Troubleshooting:

  • Check to see if the fridge is plugged in
  • Adjust the thermostat for the fridge
  • Clean out the vents for the refrigerator and freezer
  • Clean the coils on the bottom or back of the fridge

Everything in the Fridge Is Freezing

In most instances, in the event everything in the refrigerator is freezing up, it is likely a problem with the thermostat, thermistor, or temperature control board. Yes, again! Each of these components communicates with the others to maintain the proper refrigerator temperature. The thermostat you can test yourself, but the thermistor or temperature control board requires professional help.

How to fix it:

  • Turn the thermostat to its coldest setting and listen for it to click.
  • Measuring at below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, adjust the settings.

Fridge Won’t Run After Being Transported

Do not plug it in immediately after being transported. It is always good practice to wait at least four hours before activating a fridge. 

First, try not to lay down the fridge straight when you transport it. What happens when you lay a fridge down? The compressor lubricant runs off into the cooling lines. If you turn the appliance on soon after it has been lying on its back, the compressor can be permanently damaged. If you have to lay your fridge on its back, allow the compressor at least a few hours so the lubricant settles out before starting up the appliance to prevent any problems. Call any modern appliance repair professional for help with these issues. 

Light of the Refrigerator Not Working

Luckily, for the most part, refrigerators will still cool properly if their light goes out, unless, of course, the problem is more complex and electrical. These would be more common fridge faults, some of which are faulty wiring. Try tightening or replacing the bulb and see if that does the trick. If not, you most likely have an issue with the wiring inside the refrigerator and this is yet another common fridge problem servicemen run into. For expert help, contact a modern appliance repair expert, who can address these more typical problems with your refrigerator.

Too Much Humidity Inside The Refrigerator

If you notice puddling, condensation, or frost this means that the inside environment is too moist. Common flaws like an improper door seal or frequent opening of the fridge—especially in very humid environments—can be blamed. The setting of the temperature is also a cause for the condensation—the common refrigerator problem. A desiccant in the refrigerator may help for some time, but for long-term relief, you may wish to get in touch with a service professional.

Too Frequent Refrigerator Cycling

A broken refrigerator could cycle all day, jacking up your electric bill and possibly spoiling your food. Many of these common refrigerator concerns can often be resolved by cleaning the condenser and evaporator fans or double-checking the temperature settings. If this doesn’t work, there’s likely a more complex electrical issue.

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a refrigerator stops working

What Is The First Thing To Check When A Refrigerator Stops Working?

Power Supply

Make sure the appliance is properly plugged in and that the outlet is working. You can check the outlet by plugging in some other appliance. If the outlet is okay, then you need to check the circuit breaker in your house; probably it might have tripped.

Thermostat Settings

Sometimes, the thermostat might be accidentally set to the highest level or turned off. Check to see if the thermostat is correctly set, at the right temperature for proper cooling.

Condenser Coils

Over time, a lot of dust and dirt are drawn into the coils, making this component inefficient and forcing a refrigerator to work harder under rising temperatures.

What Is One Of The Most Common Failures Of A Frost-Free Refrigerator?

The three main components that make up the defrost system in the refrigerator are a defrost timer, a defrost heater, and a defrost thermostat. If either of them fails, then the evaporator coil might have frost accumulating on them. Frost is going to grow in the evaporator coil; the air that is passing through will be limited and the refrigerator might wind up doing more work than is necessary to make the food cold. This might lead to increased energy consumption and food spoilage as well.

A defective defrost timer is going to bring the issue of the defrost cycle not being in operation; thus, given time, frost might keep increasing. The defrost heater, in turn, melts off the frost from the coils. In case the heater is bad, then it will not undertake this particular function.

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What Is The Average Life Of A Refrigerator?

An average life expectancy for a refrigerator is 10-15 years, taking into consideration regular maintenance that will ensure the common faults in the fridges do not occur, therefore, extending their life expectancy.

What Is The Most Trouble-Free Refrigerator Brand?

The most trouble-free refrigerator brand, of course, is determined by user experiences and reviews. Even the best brands can suffer from common fridge faults. For expert advice, you can talk to professionals in refrigerator repair in Charlotte, NC.

The Takeaway

So, there are a lot of mishaps that you can experience from the moment you purchase your refrigerator. But, as always, the best way to steer clear of them is effective maintenance. Even if you do face a problem and need someone to fix it, only call in professionals of modern appliance repair; someone like CLT Appliance Repair. Visit our social media pages to get a better understanding of our services.