Why Is My Refrigerator Not Getting Cold?

Refrigerators can be complicated appliances. While they seem to work effortlessly and don't have too many parts that most homeowners see, they do complicated work. Because of that, sometimes their issues can be hard to trace or difficult to pin down. One such issue is a refrigerator that turns on but won't get cold. That's not much use to anyone and will quickly become frustrating.

Like any appliance whose job it is to generate extreme temperatures, there's an entire process happening within the bowels of the appliance. A disruption at any point could shut down the process altogether. That's why it's important to check every component of the refrigerator's cooling process and talk to a professional who can see the nuances in a problem that help lead to the probable culprit and eventual fix.

Start with the thermostat. Much like the thermostat in your home or one on portable AC units or heaters, the thermostat kicks off the whole process. This device senses the temperature and sends the signals to the rest of the process to tell the refrigerator when it needs to cool or when it can stop cooling because it is at the correct temperature. If the thermostat is set too high, it will never cool. If the thermostat is at the right temperature, but the thermostat is misread, it will send the wrong signals. Take a look at the thermostat to make sure the beginning of the refrigeration process is working.

If the thermostat is working and it's properly reading the temperatures, the next place to look is the start capacitor. This device receives signals from the thermostat to kick off the refrigeration process by sending its own signals down the line. If it's faulty or damaged, then the cooling cycle startup ends here. If you suspect this is where the fault lies, you should contact a professional to confirm your suspicion and offer advice on what to do next.

The cooling cycle cannot function without the compressor, which feeds the coils. This can be found at the back and bottom of the refrigerator and should be checked for damage and functionality. Next, take a look at the condenser coils, which run coolant and help keep the air cold. If they are damaged or dirty, they won't work properly, and the cooling cycle will be disrupted. If these components need to be cleaned, that's easy. But if they are damaged and need to be replaced, then you should speak with a professional.