If your refrigerator is warm instead of being cool, you should know there is a problem. Since refrigerators are designed to store food, inappropriate temperatures can cause the food inside to spoil and rot quickly. There are several reasons behind your refrigerator being warm. In this blog, we are going to discuss them in detail so that you can run a quick diagnostic check to do refrigerator repair yourself.

Temperature Control Or Cold Control

If you notice that your fridge is not running along with the fans, there might be a problem with the cold control. It is a switch that sends electrical signals to the fans and compressor when there is a change in the temperature. These electric signals turn on the fans and compressor so that the fridge produces cool air. However, if you notice that the fans and compressor are functioning but the fridge is still not producing cool air, then it means that the cold control has not correctly communicated the actual temperature inside your freezer or fridge.

If you can’t call in a household appliance technician, follow these steps. Unplug the fridge and locate the knob with a range starting at “off” inside your fridge. Once the knob reaches the midpoint of its range, the temperature should be at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, check to see that the sensor wire or bulb is working perfectly and that there is no damage.

Evaporator Fan Motor

By now you must know that there is something wrong with your fridge. To determine the exact refrigerator problem, notice if the fridge or freezer is getting warmer and cycling on or stays on longer than usual. If that is the case, then the problem might be with the evaporator motor fan. The evaporator motor fan is designed to ventilate the evaporator coils when the compressor is running and is located inside the freezer compartment.

Once the compressor turns on, the evaporator fan motor will also turn on. To inspect the fan, unplug the fridge and then remove the cover off the evaporator fan or the panel of the freezer compartment.

Check to see if the fan is clogged. Clean it if it is dirty and if the fan blades seem damaged, you will need to replace them as well. Moreover, check the motor shaft to see whether it is turning freely. If not, you might need a new motor.

Electronic Control Board

Newer fridges feature an electronic control board that controls the fans, compressors, and defrost system. However, it is not something that you can or should fix by yourself at home because electronic control boards tend to be very sensitive and complicated. Therefore, before you let anyone play around with the board, make sure that other possible causes have been determined. If removing the electronic control board becomes necessary, check the temperature sensors and external controls as well. Make sure that you unplug the fridge first of all and inspect the board for any burnt connections or signs of arcing.

Thermistor or Temperature Sensor

If your fridge features an electronic control board, its temperatures are controlled and overlooked by a temperature sensor or thermistor. This component is usually located near the air inlet and is in the form of a capsule with two wires attached to it. This device works by providing information about resistance to temperature that controls the fan operations, compressor, and maybe even the damper. Therefore, it might be a damaged or malfunctioning sensor at fault for a warm fridge or freezer. It might not be signaling the control board to turn on the fan and compressor.

Defrost Heater

A defrost heater is designed to thaw the frost and ice off the evaporator coils during the defrost cycle. Some evaporators feature several heaters on them. It is located below the evaporator coils and is composed of a wire inside an aluminum or glass tube. To check the defrost heater, remove the back of the freezer compartment, and conduct a multi-meter test for continuity.

Final Word

Determining the reason behind your warm refrigerator or freezer is easy but sometimes you have to leave it up to the professionals to inspect the problem. Unless you have sufficient technical knowledge, do not play around with the components as it might lead to further damage. Observe the behavior of the fridge and share it with an appliance repair Alexandria expert so that he can determine the root cause of the problem.