Top 10 Most Common Refrigerator Problems and How to Fix Them

​We often think of appliances as utilities we use only when we need them. We only turn on the washing machine when we wash our clothes. We only turn on the dishwasher when it’s full of dishes.

But refrigerators are quite different. Regardless of whether we open and use them or not, they’re constantly working.

That’s why these appliances, more often than not, face different problems that we can’t fully understand and don’t always know how to fix.

Let’s go over the most common refrigerator problems and how to try and fix them since some of them can be fixed without spending a penny!
​

​Refrigerator Not Cooling

​In case your fridge is not cooling, it’s not fulfilling its primary purpose. That’s a big problem, especially if you’re using the fridge to store something more than fizzy drinks and a few candy bars.

Solving this problem requires a bit of work, but in the end - it can save you a lot of money.

Firstly, check if your fridge’s door seals are working properly. This includes checking the fridge door and how it closes, as well as the rubber rim that holds the seal.

The next thing you should do is start cleaning the condenser coils regularly while checking the evaporator fan motor on a regular basis.

These three components are to blame if your fridge is not cooling in 90% of the cases! If that doesn’t work, we recommend considering professional fridge repair services.

​

Excessive Frost Build-up in Freezer

​
When your defrosting system isn’t doing its job, you’re going to start noticing excess frost build-up in your freezer (and potentially your fridge).

In case this is happening to your fridge, and you’re constantly finding yourself defrosting your freezer, we recommend you check the defrost timer, defrost heater, and defrost thermostat.

These three components usually experience some kind of difficulty or malfunction when you notice a frost build-up.

Doing this might not be as easy as it looks, and if you don’t know your way around the fridge and freezer, you might feel lost.

In that case, get in touch with professionals specializing in fridge repair and describe the problem you’re having.

​

​Water Leaking Inside Refrigerator

There’s no worse feeling than seeing water leak in your fridge. It’s nasty, doesn’t smell good, and defeats the purpose.

If you encounter this, it’s generally a smart idea to, if you know how, replace the drain tube in your fridge and defrost the drain by turning off your fridge for at least 5 hours.

This should stop the leaking completely, as it’s almost always caused by a clogged drain tube.

If not, it might mean it’s time to replace the water filter in case it’s damaged or due for regular replacement.

Noisy Refrigerator

Noise in your fridge can be caused by more things than you can possibly fathom. But some of the most common humming and buzzing sounds can be removed easily!

Check for your refrigerator’s leveling and if it’s lying flush with the ground. If not, try adjusting its stands in order to fix that. Doing so will most likely stop the humming or the buzzing.

If it doesn’t, you know what to do - seek professional help, as it might be a serious problem in the future.

Ice Maker Not Working

If you’re pushing for ice, but nothing’s coming out, you might be in for a ride.
​

We recommend checking and clearing any clogs in the water supply line. After that, testing the water inlet valve for proper functioning is a good idea in case it needs to be replaced.

​

Refrigerator Too Warm in Both Compartments

Your refrigerator not cooling and being warm in both compartments isn’t the same kind of problem. This is much, much more serious, as it can ruin most of your food stored in the fridge.

If you face the problem of your fridge being warm, you should check and clean the condenser coils and fan motor and adjust the temperature setting to a higher option.

​

Refrigerator Running Too Frequently

Much like water leaking inside the fridge, this may be a problem related to your fridge’s seal. Firstly, check that.

If that doesn’t help, try cleaning the condenser coils as best as possible. Also, it’s smart to check the gasket for any wear or tear in case it needs replacement.

​

​The Fridge Light is Not Working

One of the most common refrigerator problems you can face is the light not working. That can really only mean one thing - the bulb is dead.

If that’s the case, and if you know how to replace it - go ahead and do so. If not, seek professional help, as this is a problem that’s easily solved and doesn’t break the bank when a fridge repair handyman does this for you!

Refrigerator Freezing Food in the Fresh Food Compartment

If you find your vegetables constantly frozen in your fresh food compartment, that’s a problem.

Fresh food needs to stay fresh, and that’s non-negotiable!

Try adjusting the temperature settings as best as possible so your fresh food stays fresh. If not, turn the fridge off for an hour or so, then turn it on again.

​

Strange Odors in the Refrigerator

There’s no worse feeling than opening your fridge and being “slapped” in the face by an unpleasant odor.
​

If you’ve already checked for rotten and expired food in there, and that’s not the cause, try locating potential mold and dirt around the condenser coils. It’s also a smart idea to clean them as well!

​

Conclusion

We’ve concluded that many things can go wrong with your fridge. This isn’t something that should scare you but instead should motivate you to get familiar with how your fridge works and better understand the most common refrigerator problems you might face.

We hope this brief guide helped you diagnose your problem and aided you in solving it.

If not, for all professional fridge repair in Washington, DC, and the Metro area, contact us, and don’t worry about a thing!