Fridge Running but Not Cooling? Here's What Might Be Going On
On the surface — everything looks fine. Light’s on, motor’s humming, fan’s spinning.
But the food? It’s defrosting. The meat’s sweating, ice is non-existent.
Feels like your fridge is just pretending to work.
I get this call all the time. Let me walk you through what’s usually behind it:
1. Dirty condenser coils
If the coils are caked with dust or grease, heat can’t escape — and cooling stops. Especially common when the fridge is squeezed next to the stove. I've seen it more than I'd like.
2. Faulty temperature sensor
If the sensor fails, the fridge "thinks" everything’s cold enough.
One client’s Sub-Zero showed 35°F on the panel… but inside it was 50°F and milk was spoiling fast.
3. Freon leak
A classic issue. The fridge keeps working, but with no refrigerant, it's like running a marathon with no legs.
Tiny leaks often go unnoticed — until the fridge turns into a warm cabinet.
4. Door not sealing properly
Could be a warped frame, tired gasket, or just overstuffed shelves. Cold air slips out, compressor runs nonstop, but the temperature never gets where it should.
5. Ice buildup in No Frost system
When the drain clogs, frost covers the evaporator, and airflow stops.
Looks dramatic. But if caught early, it’s fixable without replacing parts.
Not sure what’s going on? Appliance ProCare will figure it out and bring back the cold. Serving the entire Bay Area!
