Common Refrigerator Problems and How to Fix Them

When buying any major appliance for your home, the goal is to find something durable and dependable so you can keep it running and working for years to come. Unfortunately, owning and using an appliance for years will always come with natural wear and tear. A refrigerator is one of the most well-loved appliances, as it's used every day, so consistent maintenance is to be expected. In this article, we'll tell you about the most common refrigerator problems that arise over time, organized by exactly what is causing them and how to fix them.

The defrost drain is usually located on the back wall of the freezer below the evaporator coils, though this placement may differ depending on the make and model of your fridge. It's responsible for carrying water collected from the defrost cycle to a drain pan underneath your refrigerator. Unfortunately, as this water collects, dirt, food particles and other debris can also get mixed in as it travels, causing one of the most common refrigerator problems: a clogged drain hose. These clogs cause ice to build up and water to leak out of the freezer and fridge. A leaking fridge not only creates a risk to those walking nearby but can also cause water damage to your kitchen floor, which can be quite an expensive fix. Luckily, a blocked defrost drain can be easily unclogged by the user at home.

Before doing anything, unplug your fridge for safety purposes. Then, try unclogging the drain from the inside of your fridge. Run warm water and soap (optional) through the drain to soften the debris and flush it out, using a long tool like a pipe cleaner or drain snake to help remove the clog. If this process doesn't work, you must resort to manual unclogging. Pull your refrigerator away from the wall and locate the hose attached to your drain. Examine the hose for any solid clogs and use your snaking tool to release the debris through the tail of the hose. This may require you to remove the hose from the back of the fridge; just remember to reconnect it before plugging your fridge back in. Once the clog is out, wash the hose through with warm water.

If your refrigerator comes with a built-in water dispenser or automatic ice maker, your unit needs to be connected to some water source in order to provide this through your appliance. While some fridges allow you to add water to an interior reservoir manually, most utilize a water supply line or tube to connect your fridge directly to the plumbing in your home. Your water supply line freezing can lead to a leaking fridge, while the line becoming torn or damaged can stop your water dispenser from functioning altogether. This is one of the most common refrigerator problems, but before beginning a repair, check to make sure it really is your water line in peril.

If your fridge is leaking, disconnect the tube from the bottom of the fridge door and blow air into it. If the air doesn't pass through, it's a sure sign your water line is frozen. To fix this issue yourself, unplug your refrigerator, remove all food items and give your appliance time to thaw out. To prevent this in the future, always make sure your freezer is set at the proper temperature, between zero and ten degrees Fahrenheit. If your water dispenser is not working, find the shut-off valve. The valve could be behind your fridge, underneath the kitchen sink or in the basement. Once you've located the valve, make sure it's completely shut off. Then, examine the water supply line to find any possible tears or breaks. If you find damage, the water line will need to be replaced by a professional. Luckily, this does not affect your refrigerator's ability to keep your food cold and preserved. You will just be unable to use your ice and water dispenser until the replacement is complete.

If your water dispenser still does not work after replacing the water supply line tube, check your water inlet valve, which allows your water supply to travel to the dispenser. If it's dented or broken, the valve will remain shut, cutting off all passage. While this will need to be properly replaced, check to make sure your water pressure is at 20 psi minimum before making the final call. A handy way to test this is by filling a measuring cup with water from your dispenser for about 20 seconds. If your fridge provides less than eight ounces in this time, your pressure is most likely too low.

Another one of the most common refrigerator problems is dirty condenser coils. The condenser coils are responsible for getting rid of excess heat as refrigerant passes through, ensuring that both the fridge and freezer meet their desired temperatures to keep your food cold. Over time, these coils can collect dust and dirt, which chokes them and inhibits their cooling performance. Dirty condenser coils often result in your fridge not getting cold or your fridge constantly cycling. How do you know your fridge is too warm? Your appliance should always be between 37 and 41 degrees to keep your food fresh. As far as fridge cycling is concerned, you won't be able to miss it as cycling creates constant noise and runs your energy bill up higher than usual. The solution to both of these issues is thoroughly cleaning the condenser coils.

Cleaning condenser coils is quite simple after you unplug your unit. These coils are most often underneath your fridge or on the backside, depending on the model. You'll find them once you locate the "grill" or shield; remove this by loosening and unstrapping it or popping out the snaps that keep the grill in place. Just a vacuum with an edging attachment to remove dust. Any excess particles that may be giving you trouble can be removed using a cleaning cloth or brush. You can then put your coils and grill back into place. If you power your refrigerator on again after cleaning and it's continuing to cycle or not getting cold, your evaporator fan or condenser fan may be broken. Consult a professional mechanic for further fixes.

When you leave your freezer door open for too long, it causes humidity levels to rise and frozen food to begin melting. Common refrigerator problems like ice buildup can occur due to this excess condensation refreezing. While having ice in a freezer may not seem like cause for concern, the buildup can stop your fridge or freezer from being able to maintain proper temperatures. The frost can also change the way food tastes and cause it to go bad far sooner than normal. Ensuring your freezer is closed all the way before leaving the kitchen is vital. It should also be noted that ice buildup can occur if your unit is older, if you place warm food in the freezer or if you over or underfill your freezer. If ice buildup persists even after managing these possibilities, you may have a faulty or cracked door seal. Your appliance door seal is designed to block warm air from accessing the interior of your fridge and freezer. If you notice any visible damage to your door seal, it definitely needs replacing.

First, remove everything from your freezer and unplug your entire appliance. Leave the door open and wait for the buildup to thaw and melt. Use towels to dry the interior before you plug it back in. Check your appliance manual or the brand's website to determine what size gasket fits your fridge. Once you've ordered and received the replacement gasket, loosen the screws around the bracket that holds the fridge seal in place. Once all the screws are loose, gently pull on the seal to remove it from your appliance. Lay down your new gasket and retighten the screws as needed. If you notice ice buildup even after you've replaced the seal, the real problem may be caused by the refrigerator defrost sensor. At this point, turning to a professional is your best option.

Ice building up in your freezer is an obvious problem, but what if that ice begins to show up in your fridge? One of the most common refrigerator problems that causes alarm is if your fresh food begins to frost or freeze. The cause of this issue is usually a defective or broken thermostat, which, depending on your unit type, is located underneath the unit or in the back of the freezer. Your refrigerator thermostat is in control of the evaporator motor and compressor. If the thermostat isn't working properly to send power to these parts, this in turn affects their performance and forces your appliance to run more intensely (and colder) than usual. Before taking your thermostat apart for a possible fix, it's best to make sure it's truly defective. Because so many parts of your refrigerator system work together, your fridge freezing could stem from other problems as well. To test your thermostat, rotate the knob from the lowest setting to the highest setting and vice versa. As you turn the knob, listen for a click. If you hear it, your thermostat is most likely performing and you should begin troubleshooting other parts. If you don't hear a click, you can then test the thermostat's continuity using a multimeter tool. A working thermostat should have a reading of zero or a number close to zero. If you're unsure how to use a multimeter or your thermostat's measurement is well above zero, it's time to contact a professional. While replacing your refrigerator thermostat can be done by a user at home, the process is lengthy and complicated; we recommend putting this fix in the hands of an expert.

While there are plenty of simple ways to get your refrigerator back up and running, sometimes the most common refrigerator problems are breaks and defects that just can't be tackled by an average user. If you've tried our tips and tricks and your Abt appliance is still giving you trouble, our appliance repairs & services are offered to all Chicagoland customers. Schedule an appointment or call us at 800-860-3577 and we'll be happy to help you with all your refrigerator issues.