Due to the commendable advancement and technological progress, our everyday routine has expressively been revamped and overhauled, resulting in a superior quality of life. The current human race is now profoundly dependent and reliant on technical applications, appliances, and state-of-the-art apparatuses to carry on with their practices, live life, and improve overall functioning. But, of course, they are mainly talking about kitchen appliances; the work burden in the kitchen has significantly downgraded while saving time and rendering quality in the end. This relates to increased technology, which is getting smarter each day.
Consequently, simpler chores and tasks are broken down and made even more straightforward, convenient, and practical to increase the efficiency of home-based appliances. From cooking to cleaning to preservation, technology is on the road to improving lives, allowing us to save time, energy, and resources. Day-to-day tasks are now represented by innovative features and appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, kettles, and refrigerators. These technological marvels intend to provide their consumers with maximum comfort and ultimate convenience.
The first question is:
How long does a new fridge take to get cold?
Every home fridge needs at least 3 hours to reach the proper temperature. However, some models require more time, up to 12 hours. Industrial fridges may need up to 24 hours to reach the proper temperature.
Why is my refrigerator freezing my food?
Usually, your refrigerator freezes your food because it is set to a shallow temperature. The optimal refrigerator temperature is 38 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, some food can accidentally touch cold settings and set the temperature to an external degree.
Do refrigerators use freon?
No, refrigerators do not use R22 or R12 Freon. Today, refrigerators use refrigerant gas such as R134A Tetrafluoroethane, R600A Isobutane, or R410A Puron, all Ozon-friendly. However, many people still use fridge gas called “freon,” even though it is no longer produced.
In most cases, the biggest problem with fridges is when they stop working at some moment.
Why Is My Refrigerator Not Cooling?
Usually, your refrigerator does not cool because of clogged coils. So first, you need to vacuum the coils behind or under the fridge, and then you need to check whether anything is stuck in the condenser fan.
Why is the fridge not cold, but the freezer is?
- The evaporator fan motor is usually damaged. If you hear a noisy fan, replace it.
- The damper control assembly is damaged or blocked.
- The defrost control board is damaged.
- The defrost timer should be replaced.
- A thermistor is broken, and you can test it using a multimeter. Replace it if it is damaged.
How to fix a refrigerator?
So, to learn how to fix a fridge, please watch this video:
While integrating technology with home-based appliances is commendable, the consumer should not overlook the maintenance and upkeep factors. Like other devices and gadgets, refrigerators also demand frequent maintenance and care, which can increase the product’s longevity. If the machine has been used for a prolonged time without any backup check and cleanup process, then its quality may be compromised.
You need to buy a set of tools for troubleshooting, including a socket, a ratchet set, a wire stripper, and a cutter. You would also need additional materials, such as the evaporator fan or a condenser fan.
There are specific fundamental reasons for an issue in the refrigerator’s cooling compartment. The actual signs of the fridge not refrigerating include spoiled food, rotten food exhibiting a foul smell, and decreased freshness. The liquid contents also fail to retain the cold temperature.
However, you can try the simple troubleshooting steps if the refrigerator and freezer malfunction.
- Ensure that the switch is properly turned on and that electricity is generated. A yellow light indicates this upon opening the fridge door.
- Make sure the thermostat is not switched off accidentally. You can purchase installable thermostats online if the thermostat is not working correctly.
- The apertures on the back of the freezer should be open and unblocked. If they are blocked and clogged due to the fridge or freezer’s contents, the air will have difficulty passing through the vents, making it hard for cold air to flow.
- Try vacuuming the coils located underneath or at the back of the fridge. Blocked coils lead to poor ventilation.
- The condenser fan and its way should be free of boxes on the refrigerator’s contents. The vents should be able to spin properly and free without any obstacles. To achieve this, disconnect the fridge and take it out. Properly wipe the fan blades and rotate them with a hand to check that there are no obstacles. Plug the refrigerator back in and ensure the fan runs correctly when the compressor turns on.
Why does my fridge turn on and off?
If your fridge turns on and off, it could be an issue with the fridge’s power source, a faulty circuit board, or overheating. In these cases, you must check the cable and power supply, fuse box, contacts on temperature control, Defrost Timer, and condenser coils.
Let us see step by step some of the most common problems and how to solve them:
Refrigerator evaporator fan not working
If the compressor is working but the fridge is not cooling correctly, the evaporated coils are filled with frost or are probably stuck. In some situations, they may be broken. Evaporator fans also cause cooling issues. When damaged, an evaporator fan may emit chirping and tweeting sounds, indicating a problem. If the shrill noise increases and gets annoying upon opening the freezing door, then the evaporator fan is causing the issue. The evaporator coils and fan are present just behind the cover of the freezer box.
If you remove the inside cover, which is located in the freezer, and identify that the coils are clogged with frost, you need to remove the contents from the freezer and fridge and let the food items thaw for a whole day. Extra water should be soaked up with towels. When the ice is softened and melted from the machine, turn on the fridge again. If it works properly, there is a problem with the defrost timer, heater, and thermostat.
When to change the evaporator fan?
It would be best if you replaced the evaporator fan. The refrigerator condenser fan And compressor are generally positioned on the back of the refrigerator. Come on, if the thermostat requires a higher cold temperature. If you hear the compressor noise once the refrigerator door has been shut off, it indicates that the compressor is stocked.
How to replace the evaporator fan?
Begin by removing the cover to check the machine’s evaporator and complete access to the fan. The bolts may be coated with plastic plugs.
- Remove fan cover
If the fan cover has been tightly screwed, then you need to take them out by removing the fan cover to access the fan. - Take out the evaporator fan.
If you observe unusual and bizarre noises from the evaporator fan, but if you believe it is not spinning correctly, remove the fan. This can be achieved by taking out the screws and holding the fan to the side of the freezer wall. - Replace fan
It is now time to replace the evaporator fan. Fix the new fan to the mounting bracket. Please remove the wires and connect them to the new fan.
Substitute the refrigerator condenser fan.
Remove the fridge in the opposite direction from the wall, remove the switch, and remove the thin sheet on the backside near the bottom to reach the compressor and the condenser fan compressor. Connect the fridge again and give a few seconds to allow the compressor to run. This would automatically turn on the fan. However, if the compressor becomes operational but the fan fails to switch on or exhibits noise, you must invest in a new fan. If both fail to run and the compressor displays some heat, try unplugging the fridge and throwing air from the hairdryer at the compressor. The atmosphere should be room temperature and not hot. The compressor should cool down after a while, and try repeating the steps. Afterward, if the compressor is running but the fan does not, the fan needs to be replaced. After unplugging the refrigerator, I returned the fan. If the fan and compressor are not running, you must replace them with a new relay or compressor.
When to change the condenser fan?
If your condenser fan makes too much noise or fails to operate, it needs to be replaced. Depending on the fridge model and drive, you need to remove the fan bracket and then unscrew the fan.
Installation of new fan
The wires near the old fan need to be stripped. Then, connect the cables and the new fan with new connectors.
Now let us see a problem with lights:
Can a fridge work without a light?
Yes, the fridge can work without light because light is only there to help us find food more efficiently and has no connection with freezing. So, if the light is broken, your fridge can work smoothly and maintain a temperature a few degrees above the freezing point of water.
Why is there a light in the fridge?
The light bulb in the refrigerator can last several years, from 2 to 6 years. If the old bulb’s life span ends, a new bulb can be easily replaced.
And the last most common question:
Do freezers have a reset button?
No, most freezers do not have a reset button. However, if you want to reset, you can easily unplug the refrigerator for several minutes and plug it back in. This process is equal to a fridge reset.
From 2022 onwards, Mark has also been contributing author of home repair articles at nimblefreelancer.com.
Read more on Mark Brown's biography page.
Contact Mark: mark@nimblefreelancer.com