A refrigerator that stops cooling puts a week of groceries at risk, and a warm fridge is an ideal place for mold and mildew to grow. When it won’t hold temperature or starts acting up, it’s worth getting it looked at right away.
Our EPA-licensed technicians repair refrigerators and freezers from every major brand, including sealed-system work like compressors and refrigerant leaks.
Types we work on
- Side-by-side
- French door
- Top and bottom freezer
- Built-in
- Wine cooler
Common refrigerator problems
Tap a problem to see the usual causes. If none of these fix it, we will.
Refrigerator is not running
- Check that the power cord is plugged in and the outlet has power — plug in another device to test it.
- A power surge may have tripped the breaker.
- If the lights are on but it isn’t cooling, make sure the unit isn’t in demo or showroom mode.
Refrigerator is not cold
- Faulty temperature control or thermistor.
- No airflow from a failed evaporator fan motor or an air damper stuck closed.
- Ice buildup on the evaporator from a failed defrost system.
- Dirty condenser coils or a bad condenser fan motor.
- Defective start relay or compressor.
Refrigerator is too cold
- Temperature control set to the coldest setting.
- Air damper stuck open, letting too much cold air in.
- Defective thermistor keeping the damper open or the compressor running.
Not making ice
- Ice maker switch is off, the wire arm is raised, or the ice icon is off on the display.
- Water supply was shut off.
- Clogged water filter.
- Freezer isn’t cold enough — most ice makers need 18 °F or lower.
Not dispensing water or ice
- Water supply is off or the filter is clogged or more than six months old.
- Water filter head is restricting flow.
- Water valve solenoid isn’t opening.
- Dispenser switches are shorted.
Leaking water
- Clogged defrost drain line.
- Cracked water reservoir.
- Small hole in the water line.
Ice building up inside
- Door left open or a torn door seal.
- Failed defrost heater, thermostat or timer.
- Evaporator fan not running.
Making noise
- Evaporator fan blade hitting ice.
- Condenser fan blade hitting debris.
- Compressor vibrating against the back panel or base.
Torn door seal
- Warm air gets in, causing condensation and uneven temperatures. The gasket needs replacing.
Maintenance tips
- Replace the water filter every six months
- It removes lead, chlorine and other impurities that cause bad taste or odor.
- Clean the condenser coils once a year
- Dirty coils can’t shed heat, so the fridge works harder and cools less.
- Check the door seal
- A torn seal lets warm air in, causing frost, condensation and extra compressor run time.
- Wipe up spills
- Damp rags and vinegar keep it clean and odor-free.
Repair or replace?
A repair usually costs far less than a new refrigerator and can add years of life. Replacing can make more sense for an older model, or one that keeps breaking. We’ll weigh the unit’s age, condition, type, part availability and repair cost with you, and give you a straight answer.
Parts we replace most
- Defrost thermostat
- Defrost heater
- Water filter
- Water filter head
- Water valve
- Ice maker
- Fan motor
- Door switch and seal
- LED light
- Temperature control
- Control / inverter board
- Sealed-system components
Brands we service
Thermador, Bosch, LG, Samsung, Liebherr, GE, GE Monogram, Whirlpool, Viking, Electrolux, Jenn-Air, Sub-Zero, Frigidaire, Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Summit, Kenmore, KitchenAid, True, Turbo Air, Dacor, Marvel, Gaggenau and more.