If your refrigerator breaks there can be a lot of stress. Whether it’s not as cool inside, no humming, or no light. It is important to know what to do.
This post will help you in your first hour of troubleshooting. We’ll look at how to keep your food safe, and when to call a refrigerator repair specialist in Danville, CA. Some of these are safe to do yourself whilst others should be referred to a technician. We will highlight this.
Quick Tip: A fridge will remain cool for around 4 hours if the door is closed. A full freezer can stay cool for around 48 hours and a half full freezer can stay cool for 24 hours. Opening the door will reduce this.
First Few Minutes
Follow the steps below. They will only take a few minutes and eliminate the simplest issues.
- Open the door. Feel the air inside. Close the door.
- Is there any light? Any screen or humming/fan noises?
- Check the socket. Try plugging in a lamp or phone charger.
- Check the fuse box to see if any switches have tripped. Check any nearby GFCI outlets.
- Ensure the plug is fully pushed in. Often cords become loose.
- Place a thermometer inside. The fridge should be 40 degrees or lower. The freezer should be 0 degrees.
- Note the time the issue started.
If there is no electricity in the socket then it is an issue with the circuit. If there is power but no noises coming from the fridge then continue.
Common Issues
Often fridges that appear broken are not actually broken. Ensure it is not a loose plug, tripped fuse or changed settings. These can be checked quickly and often save you a service charge. They will take around 10 minutes.
If you have recently changed the temperature dial then give it a full day before deciding. Fridges take a long time to cool down, this is often surprising. Recent power fluctuations can also affect the cooling. Make sure it is not placed next to an oven or in direct sunlight as this will cause the fridge to work harder and thus may cause it to not cool as well.
Other common issues include:
- Not sealing properly: Place a dollar bill inside the door and try to shut. If it slips out easily then the seal is worn.
- Blocked vents: Food blocking the vents will stop the fridge getting cool air.
- Dusty condenser coils: Dusty coils will cause the fridge to work harder and not cool as well.
Tip: If you unplug the fridge make sure to wait around 5 minutes before plugging back in. This allows the compressor to settle.
Common Reasons Why Fridges Stop Cooling
If after checking the basics your fridge is still not cooling then there is likely an issue with a part. Below are the most common reasons.
| Issue | Issue Seen | Can Be Fixed? |
|---|---|---|
| Condenser coils dirty | Often running. Warm to the touch | Yes. Clean with a brush & vacuum |
| Worn door seal | Warm spots. Frost. Sweaty door | Often yes. Replacing seal |
| Evaporator fan broken | Freezer cold. Fridge warm. Strange noises | Call a professional |
| Faulty start relay | Clicking but no hum | Call a professional |
| Defrost issues | Heavy frosting in the freezer | Call a professional |
| Compressor issues | Very warm. Loud or no noise | Call a professional |
If your fridge is warm but your freezer is cold then this is a good indication the fridge is not getting cool air into the fresh food section. This often points to a fan or defrost issue. If your freezer is also warm or has heavy frosting then it is likely an issue with the freezer rather than just the fridge. This can be a completely different issue. None of these are 100% accurate as often symptoms overlap. A technician will be able to pinpoint the issue much quicker.
Keeping Food Safe
The most important thing to consider with a broken fridge is keeping your food safe. Once the temperature goes over 40 degrees bacteria can grow quickly. The USDA state if perishable food has been over 40 degrees for more than 2 hours it should be thrown away. If the room temperature is over 90 degrees then it should be thrown away after 1 hour.
Act quickly. Place milk, meat and leftovers in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. Keep the freezer closed. A full freezer will stay colder for longer. Using a friend’s fridge can be a great option.
| Food | Throw Away? |
|---|---|
| Raw meat/poultry/fish over 40 degrees for 2 hours | Throw away |
| Milk/cream/soft cheese | Throw away |
| Leftovers (cooked) | Throw away |
| Hard cheese/butter | Usually keep |
| Whole fruit/vegetables | Usually keep |
| Frozen food with ice crystals | Can be refrozen |
When in doubt throw it away. It isn’t worth getting sick over a couple of dollars worth of food.
When to Call a Technician
If you notice any of the following issues then call a technician.
- Fridge is still warm after checking the power and settings.
- Clicking, buzzing or grinding noises.
- Water pooling on the floor.
- Smell of burning.
- Fridge constantly switching on and off.
- Issue occurs straight after resetting.
Modern fridges have more parts than older ones (control boards, sensors & variable speed compressors). Most of the time it will be an issue with one part. However you will need testing equipment to identify which part. When looking for fridge repair in Danville ask if they can come out the same day. Ask how much it will cost.
Always unplug the fridge before touching anything on the back or bottom. Never work near any electrical parts whilst plugged in.
Issues with Fridges in Danville
Danville has many large kitchens meaning large fridges are common. French door fridges, side by side and built in fridges are everywhere. Many homes will also have a second fridge in their garage. These fridges suffer from more harsh conditions. In the summer it can get very warm meaning the fridge will have to work much harder. Also the garage can get dusty meaning the condenser coils will become dusty much quicker.
PG&E has shut off power to parts of the East Bay due to high winds and fire risk. This often happens in the Fall. Even a short power cut or surge can cause issues with the control board. A surge protector can help. If the fridge won’t restart after a power issue then you may need emergency fridge repair in Danville. Zuta’s appliance repair service in Danville is available 7 days a week.
Should I Repair or Replace?
Getting a new fridge can be expensive. Take your time to decide. Most fridges last between 10-15 years. If your fridge is less than 10 years old then it is usually best to repair. Another rule to consider is if the repair cost is less than half the cost of a new fridge then it is usually best to repair.
How many times has it broken? 1 repair is nothing unusual. However if it has broken 3 times in 2 years then this can be a red flag. Small repairs such as door seal, fan motor & relay will be much cheaper. However if an older fridge has broken compressor then this can be a different story. Ask the technician for their honest opinion.
| Situation | Usually Best Option |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years old & repair cost less than half new fridge cost | Repair |
| Over 10 years old & small part (seal/relay) | Repair |
| Under 10 years old & repair cost more than half new fridge cost | Consider replacement |
| Over 12 years old & compressor/sealed system failure | Replace |
How to Avoid Future Issues
Most of these are simple and will become a habit. Many of these are also covered in fridge maintenance tips for homeowners.
- Clean condenser coils every 6-12 months.
- Wipe door seal. Check for cracks.
- Fill your fridge around 3/4. Don’t overfill.
- Leave a few inches of space behind and beside.
- Don’t put hot food in.
- Use a surge protector.
Some homeowners will have annual maintenance done on their appliances. This means a technician can check the coils & seal. However most homes will only need a quick check once per season.
Fridge Has Broken in Danville: Quick Summary
Fridges never break at the best of times, but now you have a plan. Check the power, keep the doors closed, place your key foods in a cooler and keep track of the time. This alone should save most of your groceries.
If you can’t sort the basics then don’t wait. Small issues tend to get bigger. Warm food can become wasted quickly. If you need same day fridge repair in Danville, CA or you can hear strange noises then have a professional look. Ask how much it will cost. Ask what went wrong and why.
Fridge Not Cooling in Danville?
If your fridge is not cooling and your food is at risk then Zuta Appliance Repair can help. We offer same day service in Danville with upfront pricing and 90 day warranty. We are open 7 days a week. Please contact us and we’ll help you quickly identify the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
A closed fridge will keep food safe for around 4 hours. A full freezer can stay cold for around 48 hours and a half full freezer for around 24 hours. Keep the doors closed to get the most time.
