Refrigerator Repair and Care (Troubleshooting and fixing problems)

In this section of Hometips for Home Improvement, we will learn about some of the basic and common problems associated with refrigerators and how to solve and fix these problems.

As explained in my previous articles, a refrigerator is one of the must-have kitchen appliance and also one of the most dependable large appliances. Like any other appliance, a refrigerator can have problems occasionally and these problems need to be repaired and fixed. While there are some problems related with the refrigerators that you can fix yourself by checking the power, controls, condenser coils, parts outside the refrigerators sealed, hermetic system, you may need to call a repair person some complex problems.

The best way to increase life of a refrigerator is to clean the condenser coils at least once a year, twice is even better.

Let us now learn and understand some of the common problems associated with refrigerators, and what are the ways to repair and fix these problems.

If you refrigerator doesn’t run, do following:

1) Check the power supply. Make sure the receptacle is plugged in properly and is working. If the receptacle is not working, check if circuit breaker is tripped or the fuse is blown.

2) Check if the cold control is turned on.

3) If the refrigerator is plugged in and the cold control is on but the refrigerator is still not working, leave the door closed so that it can retain the cold air and call an appliance repairperson.

If your refrigerator freezes the food, do following:

1) Check if the cold control is set to its lowest setting.

2) If the control is at its lowest setting, maybe the cold control is defective. Call a repairperson.

If the icemaker keeps making ice and doesn’t shut off, do following:

1) Lift the bail wire and shut it off.

2) Empty the bin, remove the icemaker, clean it, and reinstall.

3) If the problem still persists, call a repairperson to replace the entire icemaker and the valve.

If your refrigerator doesn't cool at all, there could be some problem with the electrical controls. Do following:

1) Check the temperature control. Make sure it is set to "cold." Normal temperature inside the refrigerator should be around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) Check if the freezer fan is running. When the freezer fan is running, it means the defrost timer and the cold control in the refrigerator are both set to cool.

3) Check out the compressor fan behind the refrigerator and see if it is working. When the freezer fan is running, the compressor fan should also run.

4) If any one of the fans is not working or when the compressor is off, the refrigerator will not cool properly. You need to call an expert to fix this problem.

If your refrigerator icemaker doesn’t make ice, do following:

1) Make sure the bail wire above the ice tray is in the down position.

2) There may not be enough water supply to the water valve. Check if the water supply line isn't kinked behind or beneath the refrigerator. Use 1/4-inch copper tubing rather than plastic fill line.

3) Check if there is some problem with the fill tube.

4) See if the water line entering the freezer is blocked. You may also have to repair the water shut-off valve.

5) Also check the tap valve. It may have gone bad. Call a repairperson or plumber to fix this.

1) Unplug the refrigerator.

2) Remove the ice bin and any loose ice from the icemaker.

3) Find the fill tube which is a white rubber-like hose that delivers water into the icemaker.

4) Warm the hose and surrounding areas. You can use a hair dryer, but be very careful when using the hair dryer near water and also be careful not to melt the plastic parts. You can also do this by soaking the supply tubing with hot water.

Most new refrigerators have automatic defrost with a defrost timer, defrost heater, and a defrost terminator. When a frost-free refrigerator is running, it builds up frost on the tubing in the back of the freezer wall.

The defrost timer automatically cycles the refrigerator to defrost for about 15 to 20 minutes every 6 to 8 hours. If defrost isn't working properly, most probably the ice remains on the tubing and restricts airflow through the refrigerator.

On some of the refrigerators, you can manually advance the defrost timer. Advance it until it clicks into the defrost mode.

If the problem still persists, the defrost timer is defective and needs to be replaced. There could also be some problem with the heater or the terminator. Call customer care or some expert appliance repairperson.