Why Won’t My Fridge Get Cold? 6 Things You Should Check

Your fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home. So, what should you do if your fridge has developed a fault, such as no longer reaching the cold temperatures you expect it to?

If your answer is “purchase a new fridge”… you’re incorrect! Instead, you should (attempt to) repair the fault yourself by checking the 6 fridge freezer parts or components mentioned below.

On either the internal wall or the top of your fridge, you’ll find the temperature control which allows you to set how cool your fridge is. If your fridge is not as cold as you’d like it to be, it could be that this has been knocked when getting something out or putting something into your fridge. If this is the case, adjusting the control should get your fridge to the desired temperature again!

However, if the temperature setting has not been adjusted, there may be a fault with the fridge freezer thermostat - and if so, it’s possible this part will need replacing. But don’t fret! This can be done by following the steps below (once your fridge has been safely turned off and unplugged, of course). However, if you need more thorough guidance with a visual aid, you can watch our video tutorial beneath these written steps to see how easy it is to replace the fridge thermostat yourself!

1. Access the thermostat by removing the temperature control knob, followed by the cover. Once these have been removed, you’ll see the shaft of the thermostat.
2. Loosen the nut connected to the thermostat’s shaft, then remove the screw-hole bung, followed by the screw behind it.
3. Pull the assembly off the wall to gain access to the cover of the thermostat. This will need to be removed from both the top and the bottom before you can push the thermostat out of its position.
4. Disconnect the wires from the thermostat (we recommend that, before doing this, you take a picture of the wires so you know how they’re re-connected later). You should also be careful, as some of the connectors may have barbs on them which require you to push down with a screwdriver to release them.
5. Remove the capillary from the wall, followed by the sleeve (if fitted) from the capillary.
6. Unwind the new fridge thermostat and, if previously removed, place the sleeve over the top before gently feeding the capillary back into the fridge and reconnecting it.

The coils on the back of your fridge should be cleaned roughly every 6 months to remove dust and other debris from building up and impacting on their performance. Dirty coils can also result in the fridge motor having to work harder to keep your fridge cold. Luckily, cleaning the coils is a straightforward job which should only take a matter of minutes! Plus, it will make all the difference in the performance of your appliance whilst also keeping your utility bills down… and saving money is always a good thing!

To clean the coils on your fridge, simply unplug the appliance and move it out so you have access to the coils. Then use a vacuum cleaner or duster to remove any debris, being careful not to bend or put too much pressure on the coils as this could result in damage. Once your coils have been cleaned, just push the fridge back into position and plug it in. Job done!

A fridge that’s too full or is badly stocked can result in food, jars, bottles, and other items blocking the air vents. This prevents the air from circulating correctly and stops your fridge from getting cool… but this is super easy to rectify by carefully placing your produce in your fridge and ensuring the vents aren’t obstructed! It’s also recommended to make sure food and containers aren’t touching the back or sides of your fridge, as this will also have an impact on air circulation.

Your fridge door seal may not be a component which you pay particular attention to… but it is one that can have an impact on the performance of your fridge! If the seal is in any way damaged, from being split and cracked to simply being a bit loose and coming away from the appliance, cool air will escape and the temperature inside will be impacted.

Thankfully replacing a fridge door seal, whether it is glued on and needs to be cut off or is simply pushed in, is usually not a difficult task and can be done in a matter of minutes. The latter type of door seal (a pushed in one) can be replaced by following these steps - once you’ve purchased a new fridge door seal of course! And again, if you’d prefer, you can follow our step-by-step video tutorial below these written steps instead…

1. Pull your damaged fridge seal away from the fridge door frame by starting in one corner and running your thumb underneath it so that it comes away in one go.
2. Give the area where the seal once was a thorough clean using a specialist fridge cleaner.
3. Fit the new seal. To do this, you’ll need to start in a top corner, working your way around the door and pressing the seal into place. It’s recommended to press quite firmly to ensure the seal is securely in place.

Ideally, your fridge should have an inch of space between it and any of the walls or cupboards surrounding it, as this will enable the air to circulate correctly and help ensure the coils at the back of your fridge do not overheat. It is also highly recommended to make sure your fridge is not placed in line with direct sunlight or close to your cooker, as the heat provided will cause your appliance to work harder to stay cool. This can result in faults developing or the appliance not being able to maintain its desired temperature.

So, should your fridge be placed too close to the wall, we recommend that you move it out to ensure it has the inch gap all the way around. And, whilst you’re moving it out, you should take the time to give the coils a clean as per the advice above. Every little helps!

Nine times out of ten, the reason your fridge is failing to get cold will be due to one of the reasons mentioned above… but from time to time, the compressor could be the cause of the fault, and this is often obvious due to an audible clicking coming from your fridge.

The two common reasons your compressor is preventing your fridge from getting cold is because it is overheating or because it’s not getting the proper power and won’t start. If there’s a fault with the compressor which means it isn’t starting but is getting hot, it’s likely the part will need replacing. In that case, you can’t really fix it yourself - as much as we wish you could! Instead, we would recommend you contact a qualified fridge engineer to carry out such a repair.

By taking the time to check these 6 components, locating the fault, and repairing it yourself, you will not only bring your fridge freezer back to its original condition, but you will also save money in both the short and long term!