Your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your home. You need it to keep your food fresh and preserved, so it’s important to be aware of common refrigerator problems you may run into, so that you can keep it functioning properly. Just like everything else, refrigerators are subject to wear and tear and malfunctioning from time to time. Some common refrigerator problems you’ll run into you may be able to fix yourself; others, you’ll need to call an experienced professional to come out and take care of.
In order to determine whether or not your issues are something you can DIY a fix for or whether you’ll need help with, you’ll need to know what the cause of these common refrigerator problems even is. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to contact your local repair technician for advice so that you can pinpoint the source of the problem and get your fridge back in good working order as soon as possible.
Here are 6 common refrigerator problems that you should know about and whether or not you’ll be able to fix them yourself or if you’ll need professional help.
#1. Water Leaking On The Floor
One of the most common refrigerator problems people face is water leaking onto your floors. This is both dangerous and complex. Water can cause people to slip and get injured, and if water is leaking from your fridge, there can be a number of potential causes for this. Water leaking from your fridge can be caused by:
- A blocked defrost drain
This can generally be fixed yourself, by draining the hole to remove buildup, or manually removing what’s blocking the drain.
- A clogged or frozen water supply
You may be able to fix this through turning off your fridge and checking your shut-off valve, to ensure it’s closed and there are no problems in the water supply line. If there are, you’ll need to have it replaced.
#2. Freezer Isn’t Freezing
Is your ice cream all melty and your freezer just isn’t keeping your frozen goods frozen? This is one of the common refrigerator problems that is generally an easy fix. You’ll just have to see if the back of your freezer is cold, and if it isn’t, ensure that the freezer fan is working properly and your condenser coils are clean. If this doesn’t help, you may need to either call a technician or it could be a sign that you need a new fridge.
#3. Warm Fresh Food Compartment
Your fresh foods are meant to be somewhat cool in order to ensure that they stay… fresh. If your fresh food compartment is warming up, this could be because you have an airflow problem between the freezer and the fridge, as your freezer is what generates the cold air in your fridge. You’ll want to check if your fan is running, and if it isn’t, or it sounds strange, you may need to replace the motor.
#4. Cycling Too Often
Nothing annoys quite like noisy appliances. In addition to grating on your nerves, if your refrigerator is cycling too often, this is one of those common refrigerator problems that doesn’t just annoy, but also costs you money, as it causes your energy bill to spike. There are a few potential reasons why your fridge could be cycling too often.
- The condenser coils need to be cleaned of buildup.
- The temperature is set too low.
- There’s a defective part, which a technician could help you with.
#5. Refrigerator Freezing Food
Your freezer is the one that’s supposed to be freezing your food, not your fridge. If your eggs are freezing instead of staying cool, this is more likely than not due to an issue with the thermostat’s temperature controls. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it can cause your system to run longer than necessary, freezing your food. You can test it for continuity. If it doesn’t have this, you’ll likely need to replace your thermostat.
#6. Water Dispenser Not Working
We rely on our refrigerators for clean, fresh water. If your water dispenser isn’t working, this is one of those common refrigerator problems that has a few potential causes.
- The water tube is frozen. Generally, you can just thaw it out and ensure your freezer is set at a good temperature.
- The water inlet valve is faulty, either because it is defective or the water pressure is too low. You’ll want to check your water pressure, but if it is right, you may need to replace it.
- Your house has insufficient water pressure.
Do You Need Help With These Common Refrigerator Problems?
These are but a handful of the common refrigerator problems you may face. If your fridge is giving you trouble, R & D Heating And Air offers exceptional refrigerator repair services. We’ll be able to help you find the source of the problem and get your fridge in good working order again as soon as possible. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you with your refrigerator repairs!
