Is your refrigerator running? Well, you’d better go catch… and repair the various issues that may be causing it to malfunction. You thought we were going to say something else, didn’t you? To help you with your fridge problems, we’ve assembled some common refrigerator problems and possible repairs. Read below, and check if you can fix your problem yourself before investing in repairs.
Problem 1: Your frostless freezer is freezing over.
There are a few possibilities that might be causing this issue. The number one however, is a poor seal. Defrost your freezer, and check the door’s seals for leakage. You may have to replace the seal if there are punctures or issues.
Another possibility is the result of a leaking door gasket, which allows cold air to seep out and make the refrigerator run overtime to product extra cold in the freezer. Check the gasket by placing a flashlight or emergency light in the freezer with the beam pointed at the door. You’re going to turn off the light in the room, and check for any light escaping through the door. If there’s leakage, you’ll want to replace the gasket. Most of the time, a new gasket can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or major appliance retailers.
Problem 2: Your fridge is leaking water beneath it.
Usually, this means that your refrigerator’s icemaker line is leaking. For the quick fix, simply shut off the valve which delivers water to this line and inspects it for fractures. Regularly, the valve is located under your sink, in your basement or crawl space. You may have a hard time identifying the location of the leak, at which point it’s best to call a professional in to diagnose and identify the source of the problem.
Problem 3: The icemaker refuses to make ice.
What good is an icemaker which doesn’t make ice? Usually, if everything else with your fridge is functional. It means that the icemaker was accidentally turned off. Check the wire along the icemaker assembly. If the wire is raised, the icemaker is off. Lower the wire manually or by pulling the red lever.
Problem 3: The interior of the refrigerator is leaking.
Check your drain tube by unplugging the refrigerator and locating the drain plug. This piece is usually near the back or the bottom of the fridge’s main compartment. You can forcefully unplug the drain plug by using a long narrow tube or syringe such as a turkey baster to force a solution of warm water and bleach or specifically devised de-clogging solution into the tube. Repeat this a few times, then remove and clean the drain pipe pan which is under the fridge. 9/10 times this will solve your issues.
Problem 4: The fridge is using much more energy than usual.
You know how everyone always tells you to clean the condenser coils? Well, you should have cleaned those condenser coils. They’re located underneath your refrigerator. You can clean the coils off by vacuuming them off of debris and dust. To prevent further need for cleaning, cut out a piece of lightweight filter material to fit indie the vent panel under the door. This can help prevent more dust from accumulating, and lessen the need for future cleaning. Check for the next few days to determine whether the fridge’s cycles go back to normal.
Problem 5: The fridge is frosting over, and ruining perfectly good vegetables.
Avoid freezer burn by checking to see if your fridge is sealing properly. An improper door seal can cause it to work overtime, and freeze your food products. Also, check the temperature and adjust it by a few degrees. Optimally, your fridge should be running at between 3-5 degrees Celsius.
Now for the things you should probably call us about. If you notice any of the following problems, contact a local technician such as Appliance Handyman:
- There’s an oily residue on the floor of the freezer compartment.
- Your condenser coils are damaged or faulty.
- There’s a hissing noise coming from the interior of your fridge, and it’s not cooling.
- There’s a leak from somewhere, and you can’t find the source.
- The exterior of the fridge is sweating and accumulates a fair amount of condensation.
- Cleaning the condenser coils didn’t help with irregular cycling.
The above may be indicative of more serious issues, and we highly recommend you call a licenced technician such as our teams ASAP! Get in touch with Appliance Handyman London for local area services in London and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area. We repair all manner of appliances, not just refrigerators but also ovens, stoves, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and garbage disposals.