Fridge Not Cooling? 7 Things to Check Before Calling a Repair Service

A fridge that stops cooling doesn't always mean an expensive repair. Nine times out of ten, it's one of a handful of small issues that you can either fix yourself or at least confirm before booking a technician.

1. Check the temperature dial — it's easy to knock it to a warmer setting while cleaning. Aim for 37°F (3°C) in the fresh food compartment.

2. Give the condenser coils a vacuum. Dust build-up on the coils at the back or underneath is the single most common cause of a fridge that struggles to cool.

3. Make sure there's a two-inch gap around the unit for airflow.

4. Inspect the door gaskets. A dollar bill should stick firmly when closed in the door — if it slides out easily, the seal needs replacing.

5. Listen for the compressor. A silent fridge with warm air inside usually points to a compressor or start-relay fault.

6. Check the freezer. If the freezer is fine but the fridge is warm, it's often a defrost or damper issue — a job for a technician.

7. Reset the fridge by unplugging it for 5 minutes. Modern control boards occasionally lock up and a power-cycle brings them back.

If none of the above brings the temperature down within 24 hours, book a fridge repair — the longer a sealed-system fault runs, the more it can cost.