Why is my fridge freezing everything?

1. Improper temperature setting.

Sometimes, a simple fix is all you need to save your refrigerated food. In the course of your day, it’s possible that the temperature setting on your fridge was accidentally adjusted too low.

Check the temperature controls, and adjust them to match the ideal temperature setting in your owner’s manual. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you should set the temperature at or below 40°F (4°C). 

If you're not able to set the temperature, you may have a faulty thermostat that needs to be replaced.

2. The fridge is too full.

Just because your fridge doors can close doesn’t mean you should put that much food in there. Too much food in your fridge at any moment can block the air vents, concentrating cooled air in that area and causing nearby items to freeze.

If you notice food in a particular area freezing over and over again, try moving things around or clearing out some space in your fridge.

3. Failing door seals.

If the gasket or door seals on your refrigerator door are old or broken, they will let cold air escape. When that happens, your appliance has to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature and can overcompensate, becoming too cold. This will cause your food to freeze.

To troubleshoot this issue, check the door seal. Take a $1 bill or a piece of paper, and place it between the door gasket and fridge. If you pull the paper and it comes out very easily, there's something wrong with this part of your fridge. Contact an appliance repair technician to repair or replace it.

4. Ice maker or freezer issues.

In an ideal world, combination freezer-refrigerator appliances can perform both tasks without incident. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, issues with a freezer’s built-in ice maker can impact the fridge, causing too much cold air to build up in the refrigerator section.

In this situation, it’s best to let a refrigerator repair pro take a look. These issues don’t always have an easy fix, and you could damage your appliance if you aren’t careful.

How to prevent your fridge from freezing your food.

While there are lots of ways to troubleshoot a fridge that’s freezing your food, the ideal solution is to stop this problem from occurring in the first place. Here are some suggestions of where to start.

• Don’t over- or under-fill your refrigerator. Having either too much or too little in your fridge can prevent it from working as expected, leading to frozen food. Try to keep your fridge reasonably full without overfilling it.
• Keep the fridge set to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature. This will not only keep your food from freezing but should also help ensure the longevity of your appliance. To find out the recommended temperature for your individual model, check the documentation that came with the appliance.
• Check the door seals on your refrigerator regularly. If the seals on your refrigerator door are cracked or broken, they can’t work as expected and will cause your fridge to draw more energy than necessary. Check these regularly to ensure they’re intact, and call a repair pro if you see a break.

When to hire a pro to repair your refrigerator.

If you’ve run through these troubleshooting tips and still can’t figure out why your refrigerator is freezing your food, it’s time to call in the pros.

Temperature regulation issues may be due to an issue with the condenser coils or evaporator coils. These parts can be too complex to clean, fix, or replace for the average homeowner. Fortunately, a professional repair service can easily fix an issue like this. 

Download the Thumbtack app today and hire a professional refrigerator repair pro.