Why Is My Fridge Getting Too Cold?

4 common reasons your refrigerator is too cold

When it comes to the temperature of your refrigerator, one thing is certain: you want it just right. If your refrigerator is too cold, it can cause food to spoil and substantially impact your electric bill. Knowing why this might be happening can help you take steps to correct the issue and get back to optimal temperatures in no time. So, here are 4 main reasons for this problem:

Reason #1: Problem with thermostat

Your refrigerator’s thermostat regulates the temperature inside, so if it’s not working correctly, it can cause the temperature to dip below its normal level. It could be that the thermostat has become faulty or out of calibration and needs to be adjusted. Fortunately, this is often an easy fix that doesn’t require calling out a technician.

To test whether your thermostat is working correctly, turn it up one notch higher and see if that helps. If not, you need to consider other causes before calling a professional technician.

Reason #2: Clogged defrost drain

Another reason your fridge is too cold on the lowest setting is a clogged defrost drain. This part is designed to carry away condensation that accumulates inside your refrigerator during the defrost cycle. If it’s blocked, water will back up in your appliance, making it run too cold.

To determine if a clog is causing this issue, locate the drain hole on the back wall or underneath your refrigerator. Next, use a turkey baster or other tool to flush out any debris from the drain hole with warm water. Finally, check if any remaining blockages have been cleared away by running more hot water through the area and wiping it down with a cloth afterwards.

Reason #3: Dirty condenser coils

Condenser coils work to dissipate heat away from the refrigerator, so if they become blocked with dirt and dust, they can’t do their job effectively. Besides making your fridge temperature too cold, dirty condenser coils can cause additional problems like higher energy bills and even compressor failure! To keep your fridge at an optimal temperature, it’s important to regularly check for dirt buildup on the condenser coils and clean them as needed.

Reason #4: Broken evaporator fan

The evaporator fan circulates air within the freezer and refrigerator compartments, helping to evenly distribute cool air. If it malfunctions, cold air will be concentrated in one area of the fridge, resulting in an overall lower temperature.

If frost builds up on the back wall of the freezer compartment, it is a sign that the warm air from the outside is not circulating properly.

How to fix a fridge that is too cold?

Keeping a safe temperature within our refrigerators is essential for preserving our food safely. Fixing an overly-cold fridge isn’t always easy, but following these simple steps should help you get closer towards resolving this issue:

Step #1: Check the temperature setting

The first step in fixing a refrigerator that is getting too cold is to check the temperature setting on the control panel. Most fridges will have a digital display that allows you to adjust the temperature setting up or down as needed. Make sure that the temperature setting is not set too low, which could be causing your food to freeze and spoil.

Step #2: Clean around gaskets & seals

You’ll need to clean around the gaskets and seals of your refrigerator door. Over time, dirt and debris can build up around these areas, which can inhibit proper airflow inside your appliance and cause it to become too cold. Use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment designed for cleaning crevices in order to clean out any dirt or debris from these areas.

Step #3: Inspect door alignment

Check the hinges on both sides of your refrigerator door — they should be securely fastened and aligned correctly to close evenly when shut. If necessary, use a screwdriver or other tool to adjust them as needed so they can close properly with no gaps whatsoever when shut completely.

Step #4: Check coils & fans inside

Inspect any fans or coils located inside your refrigerator as well as behind it. Make sure that there are no obstructions blocking airflow into these components and ensure that they are all operating properly.

Listen for any strange noises coming from them while running. If there are any issues here, contact a professional appliance repair technician immediately as this could indicate more serious issues with your fridge’s internal components, such as its compressor or evaporator fan motor.

Step #5: Clear the ventilation area

Check the air vents located at the top of most refrigerators to clear them of dust and debris that are blocking the air inlets. Clogging can cause improper airflow throughout the appliance, resulting in a lower than desired temperature inside.

Simply use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment designed for cleaning crevices in order to remove any obstructions from these areas quickly and easily without damaging them further (if applicable).

REFERENCES

1. Cui, Peipei, Liang He, and Xiaoabo Mo. “Flow and heat transfer analysis of a domestic refrigerator with complex wall conditions.” Applied Thermal Engineering 209 (2022): 118306. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431122002654
2. Laguerre, Onrawee, and D. Flick. “Temperature prediction in domestic refrigerators: Deterministic and stochastic approaches.” International Journal of Refrigeration 33.1 (2010): 41-51. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140700709002151?via%3Dihub

Author: Jacob Dillard

My name is Jacob Dillard, and I am the author of articles at Appliance Repair Expert. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by technology and spent much time reading different books and trying to repair my first CD player. Then, I graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Applied Science and Engineering. In a year, I got my first job as a technician at an appliance repair company. After years of practice and working with professionals, I decided it was time to share my knowledge and experience here at Appliance Repair Expert. I want to help you understand everything related to appliance repair, maintenance and installation in the simplest way possible. It will be fun, believe me!

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