How to investigate and fix a fridge that is too warm

This video shows the inspection and repair of a fridge that wasn’t keeping food cold. The main active components of a fridge are shown, with an eye to understanding how it works and how to diagnose problems.

This video is done by an amateur for entertainment purposes, and is not a comprehensive instructional guide. There is no guarantee as to the accuracy or safety of techniques shown. Never rely on a single source for critical information. Any misadventure you encounter if you decide to accept the risk of DIY repair is your responsibility.

[bobbarnes]

This guy does an excellent job of educating you. He gives proper explanations, with proper English, using proper descriptions of the components, of the evaporation refrigeration process, and also gives very helpful details about how the machine works overall and how you can correct various problems. Kudos!!

[diggerdug]

The most important part of the video was seeing what a blocked condenser coil looked like and where to find it. The manual that came with my refrigerator didn't say how to open access panels or even say where they were. After watching your video I finally got the lower access toe grille below the front fridge door pried off and found not only dirt and lint that needed to be removed but I also found a service data sheet hidden in a plastic pocket. This paper explained how to press the door light switch the right number of time to get acknowledgement beeps and then to test components one at a time. In my case the evaporator fan didn't run so no cold air was circulated from the freezer to the fresh food section. This was a great how to video. Thank you!

[stuzman]

Lots of folks forget about that coil underneath the frig and that it needs cleaning once in awhile. Thanks Dave for sharing!

[maxdevy]

Great video, you explained it in detail so I could follow your advice step by step, I disconnected fridge for 12 hours to melt the ice buildup I also vacuumed the rear of fridge AND I keep the “vents” in the freezer clear of food and Not over fill the freezer, the fridge runs like new, thanks to your DIY advice, you saved me many hundreds of dollars by not buying a new fridge in these financially hard times we live in.
Thank you so much 👍

[karrahsda]

My repair person probably doesn't share my feelings, but I love this guy.

[ramblinman]

Thanks Dave...you hit every nail on fridge diagnostics...clear as a sunny day. Congrats

[ahsanmeer]

i must say this was the best video i have watched so far. simple but detailed explanation and easy to understand.

[dalesanders]

As other commenters have said, you are an excellent educator. I cleanout out the bottom coils, and yes they were filthy and fortunately we have a cattail that we use to dust off the ceiling fans, using a vacuum cleaner hose kept all the dust and dirt from flying everywhere. The compressor was running fine, the bottom fan motor was also running fine. The entire frig was running fin until a few weeks ago when it started to have symptoms where the freezer wasn't keeping ice and everything started to defrost on one side of the freezer. After cleaning the coils I took out the back panel of the freezer compartment and found a large block of ice that completely surrounded the thermostat. After five minutes with the hair dryer I cleaned everything up and plugged it back in. The back panel is now freezing cold. We're in a wait and see hold for a few more weeks. The only thing it could be in the freezer thermostat.

[jmeA]

I'm a single mother of two and overnight my fridge stopped keeping things cool. It was running, but not doing its job. I called multiple repairmen after realizing I didn't have the testing tools for the capacitor and they all said they no longer work on fridges because of the companies that make them. This was the most helpful video so thank you so much!

[johnnydanger]

Thanks lad, saved me a ton. Easy to understand instructions performed every check as stated in the video. Vent from the freezer to the refrigerator was frozen over, and also the main culprit. Great video and easy to understand.

[salso]

You do such a great job showing and explaining this! I'm in training and videos like these really help me get ahead faster.

[gianfrancoa]

I do the condenser cleaning every year. Having a dirty condenser elevates the high pressure and makes the compressor to run harder. As you mentioned also runs more time wasting more electricity. Thanks for the v2

[BHarry-mxpy]

You saved my sanity tonight! Thanks so so so much! Easy fix and I didn't have to buy a new frig.

[danieltripp]

My fridge stopped cooling adequately and it was having this same exact issue. Thanks for posting this and saving me some time and money!

[cookbar]

Excellent professional video thank you proper explanations supported by videos of the different components and also diagrams very helpful much appreciated

[derek]

Thanks a lot for your response and information 👍🏼 I really appreciate it. I'm still waiting for mataniance and landlord to replace this refrigerator. The mataniance worker practically yelled at me and told me that he didn't see anything!! of course I unplugged it. This is how I get treated in a nyc rent stabilized apartment!!!

[billk]

Great video on fridge maintenance! All fixed up and working fine but the wife kind of wanted a new one!. Hard to win in that situation.
Take Care,
Bill

[sarah-jolenemason]

Thank u very much as a single mum I can now try to fix my fridge myself

[petermaz]

Wow your explanation was about the clearest I’ve seen on the Internet, terrific job! 👍🏻

[scotthutchens]

This video appeared on my timeline at just the right time! It’s definitely not entertainment. Lol. Thanks for posting.