Blocked vents inside
Food packed against the vents between the freezer and fridge can stop cold air reaching the fresh-food side.
Appliance problem
Fridge not cooling? Check these first.
A warm fridge with a working light usually has a problem with airflow, settings or the parts that move heat out. Much of that you can check in a few minutes. Keep the doors shut as much as you can while you do.
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What's likely going on
These are typical causes, not a diagnosis. A pro looking at yours can tell you which it is.
Dusty condenser coils
The coils under or behind the fridge release heat. Thick dust makes the fridge work harder and cool less.
A stopped fan
If the freezer is cold but the fridge is warm, the fan that moves cold air between them may have stopped.
Frost build-up
Heavy frost on the back wall of the freezer can point to a defrost problem that blocks airflow.
A sealed-system problem
A failed compressor or a refrigerant leak needs a tech, and isn't something a homeowner can fix.
Safe things to check yourself
- Check the settingMake sure the dial or display hasn't been bumped. Some fridges also have a demo or showroom mode that keeps the lights on without cooling. Your manual explains how to turn it off.
- Clear the ventsMove food away from the vents at the back and between the compartments.
- Test the door sealsClose the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't gripping in that spot. Wipe the gaskets clean.
- Clean the coilsUnplug the fridge, then vacuum the coils behind the bottom grille or at the back. Plug it back in.
- Listen for the fansWith the fridge running, listen for a fan near the floor at the back and inside the freezer. Silence can point to a fan problem.
- Look for frostCheck the back wall of the freezer. Photograph any thick frost for a tech.
Stop and get help
- You smell burning, or the plug or outlet feels hot. Unplug it only if you can do so safely, and don't use that outlet again until an electrician has checked it.
- It clicks every few minutes but never cools, or the compressor is unusually loud and hot.
- You hear hissing or see oily residue at the back, which can point to a refrigerant leak.
Don't chip at frost with sharp tools or try to open the sealed refrigerant system. Keep the doors closed to hold the cold in while you wait for help.
Show an appliance tech on video
Point your phone at it and an appliance tech tells you what's likely going on, what's safe to try next and whether it needs someone on site. $34 for 15 minutes or $59 for 30, and you only pay when a pro connects. Hollr is launching across Canada, so join the waitlist for your invite.
Questions
Advice only: Hollr pros diagnose and guide over video, and refer anything that needs hands on site. Live electrical panels and gas lines are never walked through on a call.
Why is my freezer cold but my fridge warm?
Usually because cold air from the freezer isn't reaching the fridge: blocked vents, frost on the evaporator, or a fan that has stopped. Clear the vents first, then listen for the fan.
How cold should my fridge be?
Health Canada recommends keeping your fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, and your freezer at -18 °C (0 °F) or colder. A fridge thermometer shows you where yours actually is.
Is my food safe if the fridge stopped cooling?
Keep the doors closed to hold the cold in. If food has been above 4 °C for a while, follow Health Canada's food safety advice, and when in doubt, throw it out.
Can an appliance tech help over video?
Yes. On a Hollr call, an appliance tech can look at your fridge with you, listen for the fans and check for frost, and tell you whether it's a simple fix or a part that needs a visit.