Is your fridge not cooling as well as it should? Every summer we see a rise in calls about fridges and refrigerators that have stopped cooling properly. The heat doesn’t break a healthy fridge on its own, but it exposes weak parts quickly.
Why heat makes a fridge work harder
A fridge doesn’t create cold. It moves heat from inside the cabinet out into your kitchen through the condenser at the back or underneath. The warmer the room, the harder and longer the compressor has to run to move the same amount of heat. In apartments where the AC is switched off during the day, kitchen temperatures can climb a lot, and the fridge feels it.
Warning signs to watch for
- The compressor runs almost constantly.
- The fridge section is warm while the freezer is still cold.
- Ice builds up on the back wall of the freezer.
- The sides or front of the cabinet feel unusually hot.
- Clicking from the back, with the compressor starting and stopping repeatedly.
Simple steps that help
- Give it space. Leave a gap at the back and sides so hot air can escape. Built-in fridges need their ventilation grilles kept clear.
- Clean the condenser. Dust and sand on the coils trap heat. Unplug the fridge and vacuum the coils gently.
- Check the door seals. A worn seal lets warm air in all day. Close the door on a sheet of paper: it should be held firmly.
- Don’t overfill. Air needs to circulate around the food and through the vents.
- Let hot food cool first before putting it in the fridge.
When it needs a repair
If your fridge is still warm after these steps, the problem is usually a fan, a defrost component, a start relay or a refrigerant leak. These need a technician. For larger side-by-side and French-door models, see our refrigerator repair service; for fridge-freezers and compact fridges, see fridge repair in Dubai.