6 Simple Steps to Repair Your Refrigerator
Easy DIY Refrigerator Troubleshooting Guide
The frustration of opening your fridge and finding it not cold enough to keep food fresh is unmatched. This step-by-step troubleshooting will show you how to diagnose and repair the problem.
Tools that will Help You on the Job
The following tools will help you identify the cause of the cooling problem.
- Socket/ratchet set
- Wire stripper/cutter
Materials Required
- Evaporator Fans
- Condenser Fans
Simple Fixes for a Common Issue
You can find several reasons for your refrigerator not keeping your drinks and food cold. Let’s look at more straightforward fixes before moving on to the more complex repairs.
- Check to make sure that your refrigerator is not unplugged. When a fridge is pushed, a plug may be partially knocked from the socket. Perhaps a pet yanked the cord. When you open the fridge door, it should light up. If the light doesn’t come on, it could be that your bulb has burned out, or you need to plug the plugin fully.
- Check to see if the thermostat has been accidentally turned down.
- Check the vents at the back of your freezer. Do they have large boxes of pizza or ice cream blocking them? The vents need to be free of obstructions for the cold air to circulate through the entire fridge/freezer unit.
- Pet hair can build up in front and behind the coils of your fridge if you have pets. Vacuum your coils thoroughly to avoid clogged coils that can lead to poor cooling.
- Make sure that the fan is not stuck and spinning freely. If it is a more recent model, your fridge may have coils instead of a fan on the back. Unplug the refrigerator for older models and remove it. You can clean the blades of the condenser and use your fingers to spin the fan. This will show you if the fan is free-moving or stuck. Check if the fan is on when the compressor runs by plugging the fridge in again. Continue reading to learn how to replace the fridge fan if the fan does not run.
Replace the Evaporator fan on your refrigerator
Your evaporator may be stuck or broken if you hear your refrigerator’s compressor running but your refrigerator is not cooling down enough. The sound of the evaporator is one of the most obvious signs that it’s broken. When the fan motor is wrong, you’ll hear it squeal, chirp, or even grow louder when the freezer door is opened.
Remove the Cover
The cover for your evaporator compartment is at the back of your refrigerator. This cover can be removed to access your evaporator or inspect it. You may have to pry the plastic plugs out if you can’t find any apparent screws.
Remove the fan cover
Remove the screws holding the fan cover in place. Then, gently lift it off to reveal the fan.
Remove the Evaporator Fan
Replace the fan motor if the fan is not spinning or if it is making noise. Unplug the refrigerator before you remove the screws holding the fan motor and the fan.
Installing a new fan motor
Install the new fan by removing the mounting bracket of the old motor. Remove the wires and plug them into the new engine. Replace the back panel and screw the fan into place.
Checking Condenser Fan
If your refrigerator is not working, you can replace the evaporator. You’ll need to check your condenser if that doesn’t work.
Step 1: Locate Condenser
Pull the unit away from your wall and unplug it. To access the compressor and condenser, remove the thin back panel on the bottom of the unit. Reconnect the refrigerator and wait until the compressor comes back on. The fan must also turn on. The fan should also come on if the compressor runs, but the fan does not.
Step 2: Remove the old fan and install a new one
You may need to remove the old bracket on your fan as you did with the evaporator. Then, cut the wires as closely as possible to the old fan. Connect these wires to the connectors on the new fan. Reinstall the bracket and new fan into your fridge. Replace the cover on your fridge, plug it in, and put it in place.
Your fridge should now be keeping your food cool.
You should also read our Bosch refrigerator manual for easier repairs
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