Refrigerator Not Cooling? Here’s What I Found and How I Fixed It
I recently got a call about a refrigerator that wasn’t cooling properly. The main complaint from the homeowner was that the fridge wasn’t keeping things cold, so I went in to diagnose the issue.
Identifying the Problem
Upon opening the freezer, I found a lot of ice buildup, but not just in the usual spots. Ice had formed outside the evaporator and on the cover. This is often a sign of airflow issues, so I started digging deeper.
As I inspected the evaporator closer, I noticed something important: the fan motor was clogged and wasn’t spinning at all. Without the fan working, there was no cold air circulating, causing the freezer to ice up and the fridge to lose cooling capacity.
The Root Cause
I discovered the real culprit— a faulty glass heater. This type of heater is responsible for preventing ice buildup on the evaporator, and when it fails, ice can accumulate quickly, disrupting the whole cooling system.
Fixing the Issue
I removed the ice using a steamer to safely melt it away, then replaced the broken glass heater. After cleaning everything up and reassembling the unit, I powered it on. The fan started spinning again, and the fridge was back to cooling properly.
Preventing Future Problems
To prevent this kind of issue from happening again, I recommended regular maintenance on the fan motor and heater system, especially if you notice any frost buildup in unusual places. Keeping things clean and running smoothly will ensure your fridge and freezer stay efficient for the long haul!
The defrost system in the freezer is frozen, and ice has already formed on the outside.
The evaporator is frozen. I’m using a steamer to remove all the ice and realize that the heater isn’t working.
Closer view of the evaporator: There’s a lot of frost buildup. The fan motor was clogged and not spinning, which caused the loss of cold airflow.
The broken glass heater is a common issue.
Comparison: The new one is on top, and the old one is on the bottom.
Closer comparison: It’s clear that the heater at the bottom has warped.
An even closer comparison: The heater at the bottom is visibly warped.