My freezer is working, but not my fridge. What’s going on?
By Alyssa Chua•Last updated Sep 12, 2023
Last updated Sep 12, 2023
Are you wondering why your fridge isn’t cooling, but the freezer works fine? When your fridge isn’t working, but the freezer is, it can be extremely frustrating. But here's the good news: there may be an easy DIY fix for this common problem.
Read our guide to find out why the fridge isn’t cold but the freezer is. And get practical solutions for troubleshooting and repairing your fridge.
1. Thermostat is set incorrectly
Ideally, your refrigerator temperature should be between 32 and 40°F for best performance. Sometimes you can accidentally turn the fridge thermostat up when food or other items bump into it.
If your refrigerator stays warm even though the freezer works properly, make sure the fridge thermostat is still in that range. If it isn’t, and you notice it has changed, try resetting it.
If the same problem keeps happening, hire an appliance repair professional to inspect the fridge. There may be a bigger issue with the thermostat.
2. Malfunctioning defrost system
Some older refrigerators need a defrost system to work properly. It consists of a thermostat, a timer, and a heater.
When the refrigerator coils get too cold, the defrost timer signals the heater to melt excess ice buildup. The thermostat should tell the heater to turn off when the coils return to their usual temperature. If it doesn’t, your entire fridge can get too warm.
Once you confirm that the defrost system is faulty, it’s best to call a professional. They’ll have the tools needed to test the thermostat.
3. Dirty condenser coils
This can be a common problem with fridges. Your refrigerator needs condenser coils to cool properly. If you live in a particularly dusty place, or if you have pets at home, you should clean the coils every 2 to 3 months.
Check the condenser coils to see whether they’re covered with dust, spiderwebs, grease, or other debris. If so, they may be struggling to cool your fridge.
Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to clean your refrigerator coils. Cleaning methods can vary by brand and model.
Related: How to clean your refrigerator coils.
4. Broken evaporator fan
In addition to the condenser coils, your refrigerator has evaporator coils located behind the freezer panel.
Refrigerant runs through the coils and turns into gas, which helps keep the refrigerator cool. An evaporator fan draws air from these coils and spreads it throughout the unit.
If the evaporator fan is broken, cool air won’t be blown through the coils and circulated. As a result, your refrigerator won’t work properly. The coils are near the freezer, so it can still feel pretty cold there — even if your fridge isn’t cool at all.
If you think there could be a problem with your fan, call a fridge repair professional right away. They’ll check the evaporator fan motor and replace it if needed.
5. Frosted evaporator coils
If your refrigerator fan stops working, your evaporator coils could also frost over, which can keep your refrigerator from cooling. To troubleshoot this problem, do the following:
- Remove the back panel of your freezer.
- Look inside to see whether your coils are frosted.
- If they’re frosted, empty your freezer.
- Unplug the unit and let the coils defrost for a couple of days.
If this happens again, you may need to call a technician to check your coils. Sometimes coils frost over because of a malfunctioning defrost heater assembly or a broken defrost thermostat.
6. Temperature control board issues
Several newer refrigerator models have a temperature control board, also called the main control board or PCB board, instead of evaporator coils. It monitors your fridge’s temperature and tells the fan motors and compressor to cool the fridge when the temperature rises. It also controls the defrost cycle.
When the temperature control board has a problem, such as misreading the temperature sensors, it can cause your refrigerator to malfunction.
Diagnosing and repairing the temperature control board requires expert knowledge. Consider hiring a professional near you to diagnose, repair, or replace a faulty temperature control board.
7. Faulty damper control assembly
A refrigerator damper allows cold air to flow from your freezer to the refrigerator. Refrigerator dampers are usually triggered by thermostats or timers. The damper opens or closes depending on the temperature in the fridge or when the timer prompts it to. Sometimes, it’s a combination of both.
When the damper control assembly is faulty or stuck, it can restrict airflow and prevent cool air from reaching your refrigerator.
To fix this issue, first locate the damper, which is a small flap. Look for the vent where the circulation fan blows air over the evaporator coils into the refrigerator. It’s usually located at the top of the fridge or on the back panel near the top.
Next, hold your hand in front of the vent. If you can’t feel any air flowing from the freezer to the fridge, the damper may be stuck closed.
You can try removing the vent opening damper. If you can’t access this part of your fridge, contact a pro for help.
Hire a pro to repair your refrigerator
If you still can’t figure out why your freezer is cold but your refrigerator isn’t, you need to hire a professional. Download the Thumbtack app to see top-rated refrigerator repair pros near you and get free cost estimates.
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