In our everyday life, our fridges quietly perform the essential tasks of keeping our food fresh and routines on track. However, when this appliance encounters an issue, it can sometimes lead to costly repairs. Luckily, there are many common fridge problems that can be fixed at home with some basic tools, helping to get your appliance back up and running effectively. Explore some of the most frequent fridge issues and step-by-step solutions on how to fix them. By understanding these problems, and how to fix them yourself, you can save money, and time, and avoid the hassle.

Not Cooling Properly 

When your fridge stops cooling properly, it can result in spoiling the food inside and therefore have to throw the food out. This issue can stem from a variety of sources, but fortunately, many of them are simple and can be solved at home. Here are a few simple ways that you can check and resolve cooling problems in your fridge:

Check The Power Supply 

Make sure the fridge is plugged in properly - Although this is such a simple task, it is so easy to forget to check the plug,  which is why it is essential to do this first thing before identifying issues. 

Check the circuit breaker - if the fridge is plugged in but still not working, it may be worth checking your home's circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. 

Inspect The Thermostat Settings 

Adjust the temperature - make sure that the thermostat inside of the fridge is set to the correct temperature, it should be between 1 and 4 degrees celsius for the fridge compartment. 

Test the thermostat - if adjusting the temperature doesn't work, the thermostat itself could be faulty and may need replacing. 

Clean The Condenser Coils

Unplug the fridge - always unplug the appliance before cleaning.

Access the coils - sometimes the coils are located behind the fridge, so it may be useful to pull the fridge away from the wall to get to the coils more easily. If they are underneath the fridge, you may need to remove a grill to access the coil safely. 

Clean the coils - use a vacuum or brush to remove dust and debris from the coils. Dirty coils can overheat and cause cooling problems, which is why it is important to remove them to allow a proper cooling system. 

Reassemble and Plug-In - Replace any covers or grills that you removed, push the fridge back into its place and plug it back in. 

Frost Build-Up

Frost build-up in the freezer can significantly impact the efficiency and storage capacity. To correctly address this issue, start by unplugging the fridge and removing all foods in the appliance, storing them in a cooler place to avoid thawing. Allow the frost in the fridge to melt naturally by leaving the fridge door open, or to speed up the process, place bowls of hot water inside and close the door. 

Avoid using sharp objects to chip away at the ice, as this can scratch/dent/chip your fridge. Once all of the ice has melted, clean the shelves and interior with mild soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly, while checking the door gaskets for any cracks, damage, or dirt, making sure to clean or replace them to ensure a proper seal. 

Once completed, properly organise your food to avoid blocking air vents and maintain good air circulation. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help to prevent frost build-up in the future, keeping your fridge operating effectively. 

Noisy Operation

A Noisy fridge and be disruptive when trying to relax or work, and it may indicate underlying issues. Common causes of a noisy fridge include having a malfunctioning evaporator or condenser fan, a faulty compressor, or loose components. To fix this, make a start by unplugging the fridge to ensure safety, and inspect and clean the condenser coils, as dirt that gets trapped can cause the fan to work harder, and therefore become more noisy. 

Check the evaporator and condenser fans for any damage to the blades, if they are bent or if the motor is faulty, these parts may need replacement. Make sure to tighten any loose screws or panels, as when they are not tightened properly, they often make a rattling sound. If this issue continues, it may require professional assistance.