Most common causes
- Defrost system failure. If the defrost heater, thermostat, or control fails, frost builds up on the evaporator coil behind the freezer wall. The ice blocks airflow, so the freezer stays cold near the coil while the fridge side warms up.
- Evaporator fan not running. In most refrigerators one fan in the freezer pushes cold air into both sections. If it stops or slows down, the freezer may still feel cold but the fridge gets little or no air.
- Air damper stuck closed. Many models use a damper or air door to control how much cold air enters the fridge. If it sticks closed or its motor fails, the fresh food side stays warm.
- Blocked vents. Food packed against the vents in the freezer or fridge can stop the airflow between them, especially in side by side and top freezer models.
- Temperature control or sensor problem. A faulty thermistor or control board can read the wrong temperature and stop sending cold air to the fridge section.
- Door left open or poor seal. A fridge door that does not close fully lets warm, humid air in. That adds frost to the coil and makes the problem worse over time.
What you can safely check
- Check the fridge temperature setting. The fresh food side should be set around 37F and the freezer around 0F.
- Move food away from the air vents in both sections so air can flow freely.
- Open the freezer and listen near the back wall. If you hear no fan when the fridge is running, the evaporator fan may be the problem.
- Look for heavy frost or ice on the back panel inside the freezer, which points to a defrost problem.
- Close each door on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, clean the gasket with warm soapy water and check that the fridge is level so the doors swing shut.
- As a temporary fix, unplug the refrigerator with the doors open for 24 hours to melt the ice, with towels on the floor. If cooling returns and then fails again in a few days, the defrost system needs repair.
Call a technician if
- The fridge is above 40F for more than a few hours
- You see a solid layer of frost on the freezer back panel
- The evaporator fan is silent, noisy, or squealing
- Cooling comes back after a manual defrost but fails again within days
What affects the repair cost
The cost depends on which part failed. A fan motor, defrost heater, or damper is a common repair that is usually done in one visit when the part is in stock. Control board or sensor issues cost more depending on the model. Our technician tests the parts first and gives you the price before any work starts.
