Fridge Not Cooling Properly? Common Causes and What to Do Next

If you’ve opened your refrigerator only to find warm drinks, spoiled milk, or soft vegetables, you’re not alone. A fridge not cooling is one of the most urgent and frustrating issues homeowners face, especially when groceries start to spoil within hours. It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a disruption to your day, your budget, and your peace of mind.

At ASAP Appliance Repair, we handle dozens of calls weekly from frustrated homeowners across Greater Vancouver who wake up to a warm fridge or notice their refrigerator isn’t keeping food cold. Whether you live in Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey, or right in downtown Vancouver, we know how crucial it is to get fast, reliable help.

We service all major brands, Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, KitchenAid, Maytag, Bosch, Frigidaire, and we’ve seen firsthand how a simple cooling issue can spiral if not handled properly. Below, we break down the most common reasons your fridge may not be cooling and what you can realistically do about it before calling in a technician.

Why Is My Fridge Not Cooling? Here Are the Real Causes

If you’ve opened your fridge and noticed that your food isn’t as cold as it should be, or worse, you find spoiled leftovers while the freezer still seems to be working, you’re likely dealing with a hidden problem that won’t fix itself. It’s a frustrating situation that many homeowners run into, especially when they rely on their refrigerator to safely store fresh produce, dairy, and meats.

In some cases, the freezer stays cold while the fridge compartment warms up, which usually points to a blocked vent or a faulty evaporator fan that isn’t pushing cold air down into the fridge. In other cases, both sections stop cooling entirely, which could be linked to a failing compressor, a defective thermostat, or even something as simple as a dirty condenser coil. Either way, when cooling stops, the clock starts ticking. Without a fridge repair service, you’re looking at not only food waste but potentially permanent damage to your appliance.

Here are some of the most common culprits:

1. Dirty Condenser Coils

Dust, hair, and kitchen grease can build up on the coils located at the back or bottom of the fridge. When they’re covered in debris, your fridge has to work harder to release heat, which can cause poor cooling performance or even compressor failure.

Quick Tip: You can use a coil cleaning brush and vacuum to gently clean the coils, especially if you have pets. Just be sure to unplug the fridge first.

2. Faulty Evaporator Fan Motor

This fan circulates cold air from the freezer to the fridge. If it stops working or gets jammed with ice or debris, your fridge won’t receive cool air even if the freezer seems fine.

3. Defective Thermostat or Temperature Sensor

If the thermostat or thermistor (depending on the model) can’t read the temperature properly, your fridge may think it’s colder than it is and stop cooling.

4. Damaged Door Seals (Gaskets)

If your fridge’s door seals are cracked, torn, or warped, cold air escapes and warm air enters every time the door is closed. This forces your appliance to work overtime while struggling to maintain temperature.

Warning Signs: If you see condensation on the door or feel cool air leaking around the edge, it’s time to inspect those gaskets.

5. Failed Start Relay or Compressor

This is the heart of your refrigerator. If the compressor isn’t turning on, or if the start relay that powers it has burned out, your fridge won’t cool at all. You might hear clicking sounds or notice the fridge cycling frequently without getting cold.

6. Airflow Blockages

An overloaded fridge with containers shoved up against the back wall can block airflow vents and prevent proper circulation. Fridges rely on even airflow to maintain consistent cooling across shelves.

7. Control Board Malfunction

On newer models from LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and GE, a faulty electronic control board can cause your fridge to misbehave. Diagnosing this issue usually requires a certified technician with the right tools.

Signs Your Fridge Needs Professional Repair

It’s tempting to wait it out and hope your fridge starts working again, but the longer you delay, the more you risk food loss and bigger repair costs. Watch out for these red flags:

• The fridge interior is warm, even at the coldest setting
• You notice food spoiling days before it should
• You hear strange noises, clicking, buzzing, or humming that’s louder than usual
• The back or bottom of the fridge is extremely hot to the touch
• You see error codes on the display panel

Modern refrigerators from brands like LG or Bosch will often display error codes such as “E CF,” “5E,” or “SY EF” that hint at sensor, compressor, or fan issues.

What You Can Do Before Calling a Technician For a Fridge Not Cooling

We always recommend trying a few simple troubleshooting steps before booking a service call. In many cases, these small fixes can resolve the issue or at least narrow down the problem.

Reset the Fridge

Unplug your fridge for 5–10 minutes, then plug it back in. This can sometimes reset the control board or correct a minor software glitch.

Clean the Coils

Use a soft brush and vacuum to clean condenser coils, especially if you have pets or your fridge is near the kitchen stove.

Check Temperature Settings

Make sure the thermostat is set between 2°C and 4°C for the fridge, and around -18°C for the freezer. Accidentally turning the dial during cleaning or restocking is more common than people realize.

Inspect the Door Seals

Try the dollar-bill test: close the fridge door on a dollar bill. If you can pull it out easily without resistance, your seal may need replacing.

Clear the Vents

Avoid pushing items against the back wall, especially on models from Whirlpool, GE, and Maytag, where airflow vents are located in the rear upper corners.

When It’s Time to Call a Technician if Your Fridge Is Not Cooling

If you’ve tried the above and your fridge still isn’t cooling, it’s time to contact a certified technician. At ASAP Appliance Repair, we offer same-day service throughout Greater Vancouver, including Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Langley, Delta, and Surrey. We’re trained to repair both newer and older fridge models from every major brand, whether it’s a Samsung with a failing inverter board or a Frigidaire with a dead fan motor.

We also have access to genuine replacement parts through trusted manufacturer channels, no unreliable third-party parts that fail after a few months. We believe in honest, transparent repairs that last. When it comes to freezer repairs, the quality of parts used can make all the difference between a quick fix that lasts and a temporary patch that breaks down again in weeks.

Common Fridge Cooling Issues

Why Homeowners Across Vancouver Need Appliance Repair For Fridge Cooling Issues

We’ve built a reputation across Greater Vancouver for being responsive, affordable, and transparent. Whether you’re dealing with a high-end Samsung French door fridge or a classic Whirlpool side-by-side, our technicians show up prepared, with tools, diagnostic equipment, and parts stocked on hand.

We’ve also helped hundreds of clients avoid unnecessary replacements. In many cases, what seems like a major cooling failure is something fixable within an hour. We’re here to save your groceries, your sanity, and your wallet.

Our team is available for same-day appointments, weekend service, and emergency repairs.

Don’t Wait for a Total Breakdown For Your Fridge Cooling Issues

If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, the issue won’t go away on its own, and the longer you wait, the more food (and money) you’ll waste. Minor fixes done early can prevent compressor damage, refrigerant loss, and other costly repairs.

If your refrigerator has stopped keeping things cool and you’re in the Greater Vancouver area, reach out to ASAP Appliance Repair. We’re fast, professional, and committed to helping you keep your kitchen running smoothly. Call us now or book online to get your fridge back to working order, before the milk turns sour.