KitchenAid French door refrigerators are one of the best in the market. They are incredibly efficient and can last for more than 15 years.
Apart from their aesthetic look, these refrigerators fit perfectly in your kitchen, affording you the luxury of intelligent features and sleek designs.
But unfortunately, these refrigerators may develop faults like any other electrical appliance.
So kindly read further to find out the common problems with KitchenAid French door refrigerators and how to solve them.
Refrigerator Not Cooling
The purpose of a refrigerator is to cool stuff. But if it doesn’t, then it is a problem.
So, if you notice that your KitchenAid French door refrigerator is not cooling, you may wonder what you are doing wrongly.
The truth is, there are several reasons why your KitchenAid refrigerator is not cooling.
And sometimes, you can fix the problem yourself, and sometimes you may need professional help.
Why Is Your KitchenAid French Door Refrigerator Not Cooling?
Your KitchenAid refrigerator may not cool for several reasons, including:
- Dirty condenser coils
- Broken thermistor
- Faulty evaporator fan motor
- Defective start relay
Solution
The solution to your refrigerator not working depends on the source of the problem.
If the condenser coils are dirty, the debris prevents proper heat dispersion.
Consequently, the refrigerator runs constantly and warms the contents of your refrigerator. Fortunately, cleaning the condenser coils fixes this problem.
All you have to do is find the coils underneath your KitchenAid refrigerator and clean them with a vacuum hose or long bottle brush.
It is advisable to clean your condenser coils at least twice a year to prevent this problem.
A faulty thermistor does not read the refrigerator’s internal temperature accurately. In this case, it is best to replace the thermistor.
If the fan motor is faulty, it does not spin, and you need to replace it. You can also replace a defective start relay.
Nevertheless, if your refrigerator is still not cooling, despite these fixes, you can contact a professional refrigerator repair service.
Note
Sometimes your refrigerator may not cool if it is not plugged in or if you do not close the door properly.
A turned-down thermostat also affects your refrigerator’s function. Ensure you check your refrigerator to fix these, ensuring they are not the problem.
Refrigerator Not Defrosting
Defrosting your refrigerator is essential maintenance.
Otherwise, the built-up frost affects the freezer’s functionality and efficiency and increases your energy bill. But what If your refrigerator is not defrosting?
Why Is Your KitchenAid French Door Refrigerator Not Defrosting?
Your refrigerator may not defrost due to faulty components, including:
- Defrost control board
- Defrost timer
- Defrost thermostat
- Defrost sensor
Solution
The defrost control board signals the refrigerator how often it should defrost. A faulty defrost board affects the refrigerator, interrupting the defrost cycle.
You can replace the defrost control board to fix this problem.
The defrost timer comes on several times a day to defrost accumulated ice. A defective defrost timer may not initiate the defrost cycle.
You can check if the defrost timer is faulty by turning the dial to the defrost cycle; if the heater does not come on, the timer is defective and needs a replacement.
The defrost thermostat controls the evaporator coils’ temperature.
The thermostat loses its contact when the coils drop below a specific temperature, allowing power to flow to the heater during defrosting.
A defective thermostat does not close its contacts even if the temperature of the evaporator coils fails. You can fix this problem by replacing the thermostat.
The defrost sensor monitors the evaporator’s temperature. The sensor has a backup fuse that blows up when the sensor fails.
If your refrigerator is not defrosting because of a defective defrost sensor, the fuse will blow off, shutting off the defrost heater.
In this case, you have to replace the defrost sensor.
The Refrigerator Is Too Noisy
Your refrigerator cannot be quiet. Instead, it gives off a gentle hum, indicating that the contents of your refrigerator are cooling correctly.
While the refrigerator is running, you may hear a few clicks from the compressor several times a day.
But, sometimes, a KitchenAid refrigerator may make loud noises.
Why Is Your KitchenAid French Door Refrigerator Noisy?
Your refrigerator could be noisy because of the following:
- Faulty fan blade
- Faulty evaporator fan motor
- Defective condenser fan motor
- Damaged compressor
- Faulty water inlet valve
Solution
The solution to your noisy refrigerator depends on the cause of the problem.
If you notice that your refrigerator is loud, especially when you open one of the doors, the fan blade may be faulty.
You can check the fan blade at the back panel of the refrigerator and turn the blade by hand to see if something is stuck.
The fan blade may not work if there is something caught in it.
A faulty evaporator fan motor also causes noise. Check the rear panel of the freezer for the evaporator fan motor and replace it if it is making a lot of noise.
Similarly, the condenser fan motor can also make a lot of noise if something is caught.
You can find the condenser fan motor underneath your refrigerator, close to the back. Check the rear access panel to reach the condenser fan motor.
Compressors make noise when they are damaged internally. If your refrigerator’s noise comes from the compressor, it will need a replacement.
A licensed appliance repair technician is in the best position to replace the compressor.
Over time, mineral deposits accumulate in the water inlet valve, reducing water flow and causing noise.
If the water inlet valve is the cause of the refrigerator noise, then a replacement is necessary.
The refrigerator Water Dispenser is Not Working
The refrigerator water dispenser gives you cleaner and better-tasting water than the one delivered from your faucet.
It is because these water dispensers have water filters. Fortunately, your KitchenAid refrigerator water dispenser not working is a common problem.
Why Is Your KitchenAid French Door Refrigerator Water Dispenser Not Working?
Your KitchenAid refrigerator water dispenser may not work due to several reasons, including:
- Defective water inlet valve
- Frozen water tube
- Low water supply pressure
- Clogged water filter
- Faulty door switch
Solution
The dispenser gets its water supply from the water inlet valve. And if it is defective, the valve will not open and not provide water.
If the water inlet valve does not have continuity after testing it with a multimeter, replace it.
Low water supply pressure from your home affects the water inlet valve.
Check the water supply and ensure it has a minimum pressure of 20psi for properly functioning the refrigerator water dispenser.
Water filters get clogged due to mineral deposits. And a clogged water filter restricts water flow to the dispenser.
You can fix and prevent this problem by replacing the water filter every six months for maximum function.
When you open the refrigerator door, the door switch turns off the ice and water dispenser.
However, a defective door switch does not turn on the water dispenser and needs replacement.
Final Words
Knowing the problem with your KitchenAid French door refrigerator is the first step in solving it.
Instead of spending a fortune hiring the services of a technician, you can save time and resources by solving the problems with your refrigerator.
